The Baltimore Orioles (20-10) are on the road to face the Kansas City Royals (8-23) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Thursday with the three-game series in the balance.
The Royals evened up the series 1-1 after winning 6-0 on Wednesday. Zack Greinke threw five scoreless innings for the win. Vinnie Pasquantino went 3 for 4 with a home run and two doubles in the win.
He had three RBIs. Nick Pratto also went 3 for 4 with a double and one run. Adam Frazier was 1 for 2 with a walk for the Orioles.
ON THE MOUND
Grayson Rodriguez (1-0, 4.07 ERA) is in line to start for Baltimore. The right-hander threw five scoreless innings in his last start, a 6-4 road win over the Tigers on Saturday. He got the win, scattering two hits while striking out nine and walking one.
RHP Jordan Lyles (0-5, 6.11 ERA) will toe the rubber for Kansas City. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Orioles. In his last start on Friday, Lyles took the loss on the road against the Twins. He threw four innings and gave up seven runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking four in the 8-6 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Baltimore has averaged 5.2 runs a game, equal to their season average. Against right-handed pitchers like Lyles this season, the O’s have a .747 OPS. Adley Rutschman has been the team’s biggest on-base threat against right-handers with a .418 OBP in 62 at-bats.
Kansas City is averaging 5.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 3.5 for the season, with a better slash line (.276/.333/.483). The Royals have a .605 OPS against right-handers in 2023, lowest in the league. With a .918 OPS over 85 at-bats, Pasquantino has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Baltimore is 11-6 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Kansas City has gone 2-13 at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium this season, averaging 3.0 runs per game while surrendering 6.1.
In the last 10 games between the teams at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, each club has won five, though Kansas City has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.8-5.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Orioles are second in the AL East, four games behind the division-leading Rays. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, nine games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Baltimore Orioles (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
