Free MLB Picks Today: Kansas City Royals vs Oakland Athletics 5/5/23

Two of the least productive lineups in the league are set to square off at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Friday as the Kansas City Royals (8-24) host the Oakland Athletics (6-26) to open a three-game series. The Athletics are playing their first of six games on the road after wrapping up a rough six-game homestand (1-5).

They were just swept in three games against the Mariners, dropping the finale 5-3 on Thursday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. JJ Bleday was 2 for 4 with a solo home run.The Royals are in the midst of a 10-game homestand.

They lost two of three against the Orioles in their last series, dropping the finale 13-10 on Thursday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Freddy Fermin went 3 for 4 with a home run and a triple. He scored two runs and drove in two.

Bobby Witt Jr. went 3 for 5 with a double, one run, and one RBI. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the teams split their six games (3-3), although the Athletics won two out of three in their most recent meeting at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium in June.

ON THE MOUND

Kyle Muller (0-2, 6.28 ERA) is slated for the start for Oakland. The southpaw allowed one run over five innings in his last start, a 3-2 road defeat against the Reds on Saturday. He yielded five hits while striking out three and walking two in the no-decision.

For Kansas City, righty Brad Keller (2-2, 3.56 ERA) will toe the rubber. Keller made two appearances against the Athletics in 2022, both starts, striking out 10 and walking five over 10.2 innings (1-1, 1.69).

In his last start on Saturday, Keller took a no-decision on the road against the Twins. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out four and walking five in the 3-2 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The Oakland offense is averaging 3.7 runs per game for the season, fifth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .225/.305/.365. Shea Langeliers leads the team in OPS at .744.

The first baseman is slashing .217/.287/.457 with six home runs, 16 RBIs, and 13 runs over 27 games. Over the last five games, however, Oakland has averaged only 2.6 runs a game while slashing worse across the board (.209/.265/.310). Against righties like Keller this season, the A’s have a .643 OPS, fourth lowest in the league.

Langeliers also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .926 OPS in 67 at-bats. Kansas City is slashing .220/.282/.363 for the season and averaging 3.7 runs per game, fifth lowest in MLB.

Vinnie Pasquantino leads the team with a .929 OPS. The second baseman has six home runs, 15 RBIs, and 15 runs scored with a slash line of .292/.380/.549.

Kansas City is averaging 6.0 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.294/.362/.542). The Royals have a .711 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .960 OPS over 28 at-bats, Pasquantino also has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Oakland is on a three-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 3-11 in 2023. The A’s have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 8.6 runs.

Kansas City has gone 2-14 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.4 runs per game while surrendering 6.6. In the last 10 games between the teams at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Oakland is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 7.5-5.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 12 games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, nine games behind the Twins.