The Kansas City Royals (7-22), one of the lightest-hitting offenses in the league, are set to host the Baltimore Orioles (19-9) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday to open a three-game series. The Orioles are in the midst of a 10-game road trip.
They won three out of four in their last series against the Tigers, taking the finale 5-3 on Sunday at Comerica Park. Ryan Mountcastle was 2 for 4 with two doubles, one run, and one RBI, stretching his on-base streak to 10 games.
The Royals are playing the first of 10 games at home after returning from a difficult 10-game road trip (3-7). They lost three of four against the Twins in their last series, dropping the finale 8-4 on Sunday at Target Field. Vinnie Pasquantino went 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and two RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Orioles won four of the seven games between the teams, although they split their most recent four-game series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium in June.
ON THE MOUND
Tyler Wells (1-1, 2.79 ERA) is set to take the mound for Baltimore. The right-hander allowed two runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 6-2 road win over the Red Sox on Wednesday. He was credited with the win, giving up four hits while striking out seven and walking one.
Over two starts against the Royals in 2022, Wells was 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA over 12 innings. He had seven strikeouts and two walks. LHP Ryan Yarbrough (0-3, 6.35 ERA) will toe the rubber for Kansas City.
Yarbrough made three appearances against the Orioles in 2022, including two starts, striking out 16 and walking none over 15.1 innings (0-1, 2.35).
In his last start on Wednesday, Yarbrough took the loss on the road against the Diamondbacks. He threw four innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out two and walking one in the 2-0 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Baltimore offense is averaging 5.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .256/.335/.426. Austin Hays leads the team in OPS at .900. The right fielder is slashing .312/.363/.538 with four home runs, 11 RBIs, and 17 runs over 26 games.
Against lefties like Yarbrough this season, the O’s have a .796 OPS. Jorge Mateo is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a 1.053 OPS in 33 at-bats. Kansas City is slashing .220/.279/.345 for the season and averaging 3.3 runs per game, second lowest in the league.
Pasquantino leads the team with an .875 OPS. The second baseman has five home runs, 10 RBIs, and 13 runs scored with a slash line of .279/.375/.500. The Royals have a .591 OPS against righties in 2023, lowest in the league. With a .870 OPS over 77 at-bats, Pasquantino also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Baltimore is 10-5 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Kansas City has lost nine in a row in front of their home fans.
The Royals are 1-12 at home this season, averaging 2.5 runs per game while surrendering 6.2. In the last 10 games between the teams at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, each club has won five, though Baltimore has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 6.0-5.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Orioles are second in the AL East, three games behind the division-leading Rays. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 10 games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Baltimore Orioles (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
