The Boston Red Sox (+125) host the Kansas City Royals (-145) at Fenway Park on Saturday. The early total has been set at 9 runs with the under a -115 favorite. The Red Sox (70-74) took Friday’s series opener 2-1, their second head-to-head victory in five games this season. Garrett Whitlock got the win with one scoreless inning of relief, and Matt Strahm picked up his fourth save with a scoreless ninth. MJ Melendez was 1 for 4 with a triple and one run for the Royals (57-88).
ON THE MOUND
Brady Singer (8-4, 3.38 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Kansas City. The right-hander threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 4-0 road win over the Tigers on Sunday. He got the win, giving up four hits while striking out six and walking one. Left-hander Rich Hill (7-6, 4.79 ERA) will toe the rubber for Boston. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Royals. Hill made two appearances against the Royals in 2021, both starts, striking out 14 and walking one over 10 innings (0-1, 5.40). In his last start on Sunday, Hill got the win on the road against the Orioles. He threw five scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out seven and walking three in the 1-0 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged only 2.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 3.9, while slashing worse across the board (.184/.230/.270). Against left-handed pitchers like Hill this season, the Royals have a .720 OPS. Bobby Witt Jr. is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a .757 OPS in 126 at-bats. Boston is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.5 for the season, with a higher on-base percentage (.333 vs .320). The Sox have a .719 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .921 OPS over 360 at-bats, Rafael Devers has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 23-47 in 2022. The Royals have scored 3.7 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.0 runs. Boston has gone 36-36 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 5.1. In the last 10 games between the teams at Fenway Park, Boston is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 6.1-4.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Royals are fourth in the AL Central, 21 games behind the division-leading Guardians. The Red Sox are fifth in the AL East, 17 games behind the Yankees.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox (-160)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
