The Los Angeles Dodgers (46-35) are on the road to face the Kansas City Royals (23-59) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. The Dodgers took Friday’s series opener 9-3. Starter Bobby Miller went 5.2 innings to get the win, giving up three runs on five hits.
Mookie Betts was 4 for 4 with two home runs and a double in the win. He scored three runs and drove in four. Jason Heyward went 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and two RBIs. Maikel Garcia went 3 for 4 with two runs for the Royals.
ON THE MOUND
Julio Urias (5-4, 4.39 ERA) is slated to get the start for Los Angeles. The lefty allowed six runs over three innings in his last start, a 16-8 road defeat against the Cardinals on May 18. He was charged with the loss, giving up six hits while striking out one and walking two.
For Kansas City, LHP Daniel Lynch (1-3, 3.96 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Dodgers. Lynch made one start against the Dodgers in 2022, throwing five innings in an 8-3 home defeat on August 12. He gave up two hits and walked four while striking out three in the no-decision.
In his last start on Sunday, Lynch took a no-decision on the road against the Rays. He threw six innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out two and walking one in the 3-1 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Los Angeles has averaged 8.2 runs a game, up from their season average of 5.5, while performing better across the board (.283/.362/.511). Against left-handed pitchers like Lynch this season, the Dodgers have a .778 OPS, fifth highest in the league.
Betts is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a 1.048 OPS in 73 at-bats. Kansas City is averaging only 2.0 runs per game in the last five, down from 3.7 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.163/.212/.200).
The Royals have a .680 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .898 OPS over 83 at-bats, Bobby Witt Jr. has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Los Angeles is 22-20 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.6 runs per game while allowing 5.2 runs. Kansas City has gone 11-31 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 5.8.
In the last 10 games between the teams at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, each club has won five, though Los Angeles has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.9-3.7.
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, 17 games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Dodgers (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
