Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Gerrit Cole (13-3) vs. Jason Vargas (5-2)

The Kansas City Royals host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday. Gerrit Cole is the probable starter for the Pirates and he'll face Jason Vargas of the Royals. The opening line for this matchup has Pittsburgh at -130 and Kansas City at +120. The over/under was set at 7. The Pirates have a 38-44 over/under record and a 38-53 run line mark, meaning they cover 42% of the time. The Royals are 52-38 against the run line and have a 39-41 over/under record. They cover the spread 58% of the time.

The Pirates show up with a 53-38 record, including 21-22 on the road. Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole holds a 13-3 record with an earned run average of 2.30 and a WHIP of 1.12. He's pitched 117.1 innings thus far while surrendering 103 hits over that time and when he starts, the Pirates are 14-4. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 7-9. He is getting 3.9 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 248 hits on the season and have a earned run average of 2.52. The bullpen has struck out 243 and walked 81 batters this season while opposing teams hit .236 against them. Pittsburgh has a team average of 8.23 hits allowed per game and are averaging 7.78 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 2.93, they are 2nd in the league.

As a team, Pittsburgh is batting .254, good for 12th in the league while putting together a .252 average away from home. The Pirates on-base percentage sits at .316, which puts them at 15th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .377. With 93 hits, Andrew McCutchen leads the team while his team ranks 9th in hits per game with 8.76.

Kansas City is 30-16 at home while holding a 55-35 overall record on the season. With an earned run average of 4.10, Jason Vargas will come into this game holding a 5-2 record and a 1.34 WHIP. He's pitched 41.2 innings thus far while surrendering 45 hits over that time in which the Royals are 6-2. Their record against the over/under when he starts is 4-4. He is getting 4.2 runs from the team when he takes the mound. The bullpen has given up 218 hits on the season and have a team earned run average of 2.16. The Royals bullpen has struck out 273 batters and walked 102 this season while opposing teams have hit .199 against them. Kansas City has a team average of 8.16 hits per game and are averaging 6.82 strikeouts per nine innings. With a team earned run average of 3.47, they are 7th in the league.

As a team, they are batting .274, good for 2nd in the league while putting together a .282 average at home. The Royals on-base percentage sits at .325, which puts them at 5th in the league and they have a team slugging percentage of .409. With 99 hits, Lorenzo Cain leads the team while his team ranks 3rd in hits per game with 9.38.

In terms of team defense, the Pirates have a fielding percentage of .982 with 67 total errors, 1102 assists and 2,519 put outs. Over the course of this season, the Royals have accumlated 54 errors while having 902 assists and 2,403 put outs leading to a .984 fielding percentage.

Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 38-44 against the over/under so far this season

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 38-53 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 39-41 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 52-38 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates

07/20/15 SS Jordy Mercer Knee out indefinitely
07/19/15 CF Gorkys Hernandez Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/18)
07/18/15 P Francisco Liriano Neck "?" for next scheduled start
07/06/15 3B Josh Harrison Thumb Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/6)
06/24/15 RF Corey Hart Shoulder Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (6/22)
05/07/15 LF Andrew Lambo Plantar Fasciitis Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/4)
04/06/15 P Brandon Cumpton Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)
04/06/15 SS Justin Sellers Heel Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/27)

Kansas City Royals

07/20/15 P Jason Vargas Elbow expected to start Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
07/09/15 LF Alex Gordon Groin Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (7/9)
05/17/15 P Brian Flynn Shoulder Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (5/16)
04/06/15 P Tim Collins Elbow Injury is on the 15 day disabled list (4/6)
04/04/15 P Kris Medlen Elbow Injury is on the 60 day disabled list (3/07)

Josh's Pick: Take the Pirates

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