The Oakland Athletics (7-26) are on the road to face the Kansas City Royals (8-25) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. The Athletics took Friday’s series opener 12-8. Starter Kyle Muller went 5.1 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits, to get the win.
Brent Rooker was 3 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and drove in three. Ryan Noda went 3 for 4 with two doubles, three runs, and three RBIs. Hunter Dozier went 2 for 2 with a triple and a double for the Royals. He had two RBIs. Nick Pratto added a home run, three runs, and two RBIs.
ON THE MOUND
Ken Waldichuk (0-2, 7.26 ERA) is set to start for Oakland. The southpaw allowed three runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 5-4 road win over the Reds on Sunday. He gave up six hits while striking out seven and walking one in the no-decision.Right-hander Brady Singer (2-3, 8.49 ERA) gets the start for Kansas City.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics. Singer made two appearances against the Athletics in 2022, both starts, striking out nine and walking one over 13.2 innings (0-2, 4.61).
In his last start on Sunday, Singer took the loss on the road against the Twins. He threw 2.2 innings and gave up eight runs on five hits, striking out five and walking three in the 8-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 4.6 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 4.0. Against right-handed pitchers like Singer this season, the A’s have a .665 OPS. Noda has the team’s best on-base percentage against right-handers at .407 over 57 at-bats.
Kansas City is averaging 7.0 runs per game in the last five, up from 3.8 for the season, with a better slash line (.313/.376/.581). The Royals have a .746 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a .952 OPS over 26 at-bats, Matt Duffy has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is 4-11 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 8.6 runs. Kansas City has gone 2-15 at their home park this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 6.9. Oakland is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium with an average scoreline of 6.8-5.8.
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, 11 games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Kansas City Royals (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
