The Kansas City Royals (51-76) host the San Diego Padres (69-58) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. The Padres took Friday’s series opener 13-5. Reliever Robert Suarez was credited with the win after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings. Wil Myers was 3 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and drove in three. Ha-Seong Kim went 3 for 6 with a home run and a double. He had five RBIs. Nick Pratto went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double for the Royals. He drove in two runs. Salvador Perez added two RBIs on two hits.
ON THE MOUND
Yu Darvish (10-7, 3.40 ERA) is set to get the start for San Diego. The right-hander allowed three runs over 8.1 innings in his last start, a 3-1 home defeat against the Nationals on August 18. He took the loss, scattering five hits while striking out six. For Kansas City, lefty Daniel Lynch (4-8, 4.58 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Padres. In his last start on Monday, Lynch took a no-decision at home against the White Sox. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, walking four, in the 6-4 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, San Diego has averaged 3.6 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.4. Against southpaws like Lynch this season, the Padres have a .700 OPS. Kim has been the team’s biggest on-base threat against left-handers with a .388 OBP in 119 at-bats. Kansas City is averaging 4.2 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.8 for the season. The Royals have a .671 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fourth lowest in the league. With a .743 OPS over 338 at-bats, Bobby Witt Jr. has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Diego is 34-30 on the road in 2022, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Kansas City has gone 31-36 at home this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. In four games between the teams at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, each club has won two, though Kansas City has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 9.0-8.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Padres are second in the NL West, 19 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Royals are fourth in the AL Central, 16 games behind the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
San Diego Padres
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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