Free MLB Picks Today: Kansas City Royals vs Los Angeles Dodgers 6/30/23

The Los Angeles Dodgers (45-35) take one of the top lineups in the league on the road to face the Kansas City Royals (23-58) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Friday for the first of a three-game Interleague series.

The Dodgers are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Rockies, taking the finale 14-3 on Thursday at Coors Field.

J.D. Martinez was 4 for 6 with a home run, two runs, and four RBIs, extending his on-base streak to 12 games. Mookie Betts added two doubles, three runs, and one RBI.

The Royals are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Guardians in their last series, taking the finale 4-3 on Thursday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Nicky Lopez went 1 for 1 with two runs. Freddy Fermin added a double and two RBIs.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Dodgers won two of the three games between the teams.

ON THE MOUND

Bobby Miller (3-1, 4.13 ERA) is slated to get the start for Los Angeles. The RHP allowed six runs over four innings in his last start, an 8-7 road win over the Astros on Saturday.

He yielded 10 hits while striking out three and walking three in the no-decision. RHP Alec Marsh will toe the rubber for Kansas City, his season debut.

AT THE PLATE

The Los Angeles offense is averaging 5.5 runs per game for the season, fourth best in the league, with a slash line of .241/.328/.445. Four Dodgers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Freddie Freeman (.943). The first baseman is slashing .321/.399/.544 with 14 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 64 runs over 80 games.

Over the last five games, though, Los Angeles has averaged 8.0 runs a game while performing better across the board (.260/.335/.492). Against righties like Marsh this season, the Dodgers have a .771 OPS. Martinez is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .923 OPS in 187 at-bats.

Kansas City is slashing .231/.295/.373 for the season and averaging 3.7 runs per game, second lowest in the league. Vinnie Pasquantino leads the team with a .762 OPS. The first baseman has nine home runs, 26 RBIs, and 24 runs scored with a slash line of .247/.324/.437.

The Royals have a .663 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the third lowest in the league. With a .840 OPS over 204 at-bats, Salvador Perez has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Los Angeles is 21-20 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.6 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Kansas City has gone 11-30 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 5.7.

In nine games between the teams at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City is 5-4 despite an average scoreline favoring Los Angeles (4.4-3.8).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Dodgers are second in the NL West, two games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 16 games behind the Twins.