Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Kauffman Stadium

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Probable Pitchers: Luis Cessa vs. Ian Kennedy

The New York Yankees visit Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday to play the Kansas City Royals. The probable starters are Luis Cessa for the Yankees and Ian Kennedy for the Royals. The opening line for this matchup has New York at +137 and Kansas City at -147. The over/under was set at 8.5. The Yankees have a 57-64-9 over/under record and a 63-67-0 run line mark, meaning they cover 49% of the time. The Royals are 72-59-0 against the run line and have a 54-69-8 over/under record. They cover the spread 55% of the time.

The Yankees head into this matchup with a 67-63 record, including 30-35 on the road. Starting pitcher Luis Cessa has a 4-0 record with an earned run average of 4.11 and a WHIP of 1.08. He has 21 strikeouts over his 30.2 innings pitched and he has given up 25 hits so far this season. He has allowed 7.3 hits per 9 innings and he has a FIP of 5.72. The bullpen this year has an earned run average of 3.56 and they have given up 326 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .220 against the bullpen while being struck out 462 times and walking 126 times this season. As a team, New York has allowed 8.63 hits per nine innings while striking out 9.01 batters per nine. They are 18th in the league in team earned run average at 4.25. The Yankees pitchers have collectively given up 1,097 base hits and 541 earned runs. They have allowed 169 home runs this season and they allow 1.3 homers per nine innings as a staff. New York as a pitching staff has walked 330 batters and struck out 1,145. They walk 2.6 men per 9 innings while striking out 9 per 9. They have a team WHIP of 1.25 and their FIP as a unit is 4.04.

As a team, New York is batting .254, good for 18th in the league while putting together a .251 average away from home. The Yankees hold a .407 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .314 which is good for 22nd in baseball. They rank 19th in baseball with 8.58 hits per game. Brett Gardner comes into this game hitting .256 and his on-base percentage is at .345. He has 110 hits this season along with 64 runs scored and 34 runs batted in. He's struck out 90 times and has walked 54 times. Didi Gregorius is hitting .288 and he has an on-base percentage of .317. He has totaled 131 hits so far while scoring 58 runs and he's driven in 60. He has walked 15 times and has struck out 68 times. The Yankees have 1,115 hits, including 200 doubles and 146 home runs. They've stolen 60 bases while they've been thrown out stealing 16 times. New York has walked 368 times this season and they've struck out 943 times as a unit. They've left 871 men on base and have a team OPS of .721. They score 4.28 runs per contest and have scored a total of 557 runs so far this year.

Kansas City comes into this matchup with a 41-21 home record and a 69-62 overall mark. With an earned run average of 3.57, Ian Kennedy has a 9-9 record and a 1.18 WHIP. He has 153 strikeouts over the 153.2 innings he's pitched during which he has given up 133 hits. He has allowed 7.8 hits per nine innings and his FIP stands at 4.68. So far this season the bullpen has an earned run average of 3.10 and they have given up 379 base hits on the year. Teams are hitting .235 against the Royals bullpen while being struck out 409 times and walking 144 times this season. As a team, Kansas City has allowed 8.6 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.14 batters per nine. They are 10th in the league in team earned run average at 3.99. The Royals pitchers as a team have surrendered 1,108 base knocks and 514 earned runs so far this season. They have given up 166 home runs this year and they give up 1.3 home runs per nine innings as a staff. Kansas City as a staff has walked 399 hitters and struck out 1,049. They give up a walk 3.1 times per 9 innings while they strike out 8.1 per 9. Their team WHIP is 1.30 while their FIP as a staff is 4.36.

As a team, they are batting .263, good for 8th in the league while putting together a .281 average at home. The Royals hold a .400 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .313 which is good for 23rd in baseball. They rank 8th in baseball with 8.98 hits per contest. Alcides Escobar comes into this matchup batting .265 and he has an OBP of .296. He has 140 hits this year along with 48 runs scored and 42 RBI. He's struck out 73 times and has walked on 24 occasions. Eric Hosmer is hitting .274 and he has an OBP of .336. He has collected 136 hits so far while he's scored 63 runs and drove in 79. He has earned a walk 47 times and has punched out 105 times. The Royals as a unit have 1,175 base hits, including 220 doubles and 116 homers. They have 83 stolen bases while they've been thrown out 27 times. Kansas City as a team has walked 308 times this year and they have struck out 976 times. They've had 861 men left on base and have an OPS of .713. They score 4.03 runs per game and have totaled 528 runs so far this season.

New York Yankees Betting Trends

The New York Yankees are 57-64-9 against the over/under so far this season

The New York Yankees are 63-67-0 against the run line so far this season

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

The Kansas City Royals are 54-69-8 against the over/under so far this season

The Kansas City Royals are 72-59-0 against the run line so far this season

Injuries to Watch

New York Yankees

08/13/16 P Nathan Eovaldi Elbow 15-day DL (8/11)
05/31/16 LF Dustin Ackley Shoulder 60-day DL (5/29), out for season
03/31/16 P Bryan Mitchell Toe 60-day DL (3/31)
03/31/16 1B Gregory Bird Shoulder 60-day DL (3/25); out for season

Kansas City Royals

07/31/16 P Wade Davis Hip 15-day DL (7/30)
07/29/16 P Luke Hochevar Shoulder 15-day DL (7/25)
07/19/16 P Kris Medlen Shoulder 60-day DL (5/11)
05/26/16 3B Mike Moustakas Knee 60-day DL (5/23); out for season
04/10/16 P Mike Minor Shoulder 60-day DL (3/15); out for season
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)

Guy's Pick: Take the Yankees

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