The Kansas City Royals (8-26) host the Oakland Athletics (8-26) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game series. The Athletics lead the series 2-0 after winning 5-4 on Saturday, their fourth straight head-to-head victory.
Starter Ken Waldichuk got the win, allowing four runs on six hits over five innings and striking out six, and Zach Jackson picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
Ryan Noda was 2 for 3 with a triple and a double in the win. He scored one run and had one RBI. JJ Bleday added a home run and a double. He scored two runs. Freddy Fermin went 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Royals.
ON THE MOUND
Mason Miller (0-1, 3.52 ERA) is set to take the mound for Oakland. The righty threw seven no-hit innings in his last start, a 2-1 home defeat against the Mariners on Tuesday. He struck out six and walking four in the no-decision.
For Kansas City, LHP Ryan Yarbrough (0-4, 7.40 ERA) is on the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Athletics. Yarbrough made one start against the Athletics in 2022, throwing 2.1 innings for the Rays in a 10-7 road win on May 3.
He gave up six hits and walked three, while striking out two in the no-decision. In his last start on Tuesday, Yarbrough took the loss at home against the Orioles. He threw 3.2 innings and gave up five runs on five hits, striking out five and walking three in the 11-7 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 lefties like Yarbrough this season, the A’s have a .755 OPS. Jesus Aguilar is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.357 OPS in 28 at-bats.
Kansas City is averaging 7.0 runs per game in the last five, up from 3.9 for the season, with a higher slash line (.301/.388/.597). The Royals have a .646 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fourth lowest in MLB. With a .887 OPS over 91 at-bats, Vinnie Pasquantino has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is 5-11 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 8.3 runs. Kansas City has lost three in a row at their home ballpark.
The Royals are 2-16 at home this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 6.8. Oakland is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium with an average scoreline of 7.1-6.1.
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:
KC Royals (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
