Friday, May 13, 2016

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Julio Teheran vs. Edinson Volquez

The Atlanta Braves visit Kauffman Stadium on Friday to play the Kansas City Royals. The probable starters are Julio Teheran for the Braves and Edinson Volquez for the Royals. The opening line for this matchup has Atlanta at +145 and Kansas City at -155. The over/under was set at 7.5. The Braves have a 16-12-4 over/under record and a 13-19-0 run line mark, meaning they cover 41% of the time. The Royals are 16-17-0 against the run line and have a 12-19-2 over/under record. They cover the spread 49% of the time.

The Braves head into this matchup with a 8-24 record, including 6-8 on the road. Starting pitcher Julio Teheran has a 0-3 record with an earned run average of 3.48 and a WHIP of 1.21. He has 39 strikeouts over his 41.1 innings pitched and he has given up 36 hits so far this season. He has allowed 7.8 hits per 9 innings and he has a FIP of 3.86. The bullpen this year has an earned run average of 4.64 and they have given up 106 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .251 against the bullpen while being struck out 113 times and walking 60 times this season. As a team, Atlanta has allowed 8.62 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.78 batters per nine. They are 24th in the league in team earned run average at 4.55. The Braves pitchers have collectively given up 275 base hits and 145 earned runs. They have allowed 37 home runs this season and they allow 1.2 homers per nine innings as a staff. Atlanta as a pitching staff has walked 123 batters and struck out 248. They walk 3.9 men per 9 innings while striking out 7.8 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.39 and their FIP as a unit is 4.42.

As a team, Atlanta is batting .227, good for 28th in the league while putting together a .214 average away from home. The Braves hold a .294 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .294 which is good for 27th in baseball. They rank 27th in baseball with 7.62 hits per game. Nick Markakis comes into this game hitting .287 and his on-base percentage is at .387. He has 33 hits this season along with 12 runs scored and 21 runs batted in. He's struck out 19 times and has walked 18 times. Freddie Freeman is hitting .289 and he has an on-base percentage of .391. He has totaled 33 hits so far while scoring 14 runs and he's driven in 10. He has walked 16 times and has struck out 31 times. The Braves have 244 hits, including 45 doubles and 9 home runs. They've stolen 15 bases while they've been thrown out stealing 8 times. Atlanta has walked 93 times this season and they've struck out 259 times as a unit. They've left 224 men on base and have a team OPS of .588. They score 3.03 runs per contest and have scored a total of 97 runs so far this year.

Kansas City comes into this matchup with a 9-5 home record and a 16-17 overall mark. With an earned run average of 3.89, Edinson Volquez has a 3-3 record and a 1.42 WHIP. He has 36 strikeouts over the 41.2 innings he's pitched during which he has given up 44 hits. He has allowed 9.5 hits per nine innings and his FIP stands at 3.68. So far this season the bullpen has an earned run average of 2.88 and they have given up 97 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .230 against the Royals bullpen while being struck out 109 times and walking 37 times this season. As a team, Kansas City has allowed 8.4 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.02 batters per nine. They are 13th in the league in team earned run average at 4.00. The Royals pitchers as a team have surrendered 267 base knocks and 127 earned runs so far this season. They have given up 35 home runs this year and they give up 1.1 home runs per nine innings as a staff. Kansas City as a staff has walked 124 hitters and struck out 255. They give up a walk 3.9 times per 9 innings while they strike out 8 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.37 while their FIP as a staff is 4.32.

As a team, they are batting .255, good for 11th in the league while putting together a .251 average at home. The Royals hold a .390 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .308 which is good for 21st in baseball. They rank 12th in baseball with 8.58 hits per contest. Eric Hosmer comes into this matchup batting .328 and he has an OBP of .378. He has 41 hits this year along with 17 runs scored and 16 RBI. He's struck out 23 times and has walked on 10 occasions. Alcides Escobar is hitting .257 and he has an OBP of .295. He has collected 36 hits so far while he's scored 10 runs and drove in 9. He has earned a walk 7 times and has punched out 21 times. The Royals as a unit have 283 base hits, including 49 doubles and 31 homers. They have 24 stolen bases while they've been thrown out 9 times. Kansas City as a team has walked 78 times this year and they have struck out 233 times. They've had 220 men left on base and have an OPS of .698. They score 3.61 runs per game and have totaled 119 runs so far this season.

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

The Atlanta Braves are 16-12-4 against the over/under so far this season

The Atlanta Braves are 13-19-0 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 12-19-2 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 16-17-0 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

Atlanta Braves

05/11/16 P Jim Johnson Groin 15-day DL (5/9)
04/13/16 2B Hector Olivera Legal problems out indefinitely
04/12/16 P Daniel Winkler Elbow 15-day DL (4/11)
04/04/16 P Andrew McKiraha Elbow 60-day DL (3/25)
04/04/16 P Manuel Banuelos Elbow 15-day DL (3/25)
04/04/16 P Paco Rodrigue Elbow out for season
04/04/16 P Shae Simmons Elbow 15-day DL (3/25)

Kansas City Royals

05/12/16 P Kris Medlen Shoulder "?" for next scheduled start Sunday vs. Atlanta Braves
05/07/16 3B Mike Moustakas Hand 15-day DL (5/5)
04/10/16 P Mike Minor Shoulder 60-day DL (3/15)
04/04/16 P Tim Collins Elbow 60-day DL; out for season
03/31/16 P Jason Vargas Elbow 60-day DL (3/15)

Josh's Pick: Take the Braves

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald