Free MLB Picks Today: San Diego Padres vs Kansas City Royals 8/28/22

The San Diego Padres (70-58) are on the road to face the Kansas City Royals (51-77) at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game Interleague series. The Padres lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-3 on Saturday. Starter Yu Darvish got the win, allowing three runs on five hits over seven innings, and Nick Martinez earned his sixth save with a scoreless ninth. Wil Myers was 1 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Hunter Dozier went 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Royals.

ON THE MOUND

Sean Manaea (7-6, 4.64 ERA) is set to take the mound for San Diego. The LHP allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 2-1 home win over the Nationals on August 21. He earned the win, giving up five hits while striking out four. Manaea is making his first appearance against the Royals this season. Manaea made one start against the Royals in 2021, a 12-10 road victory for the Athletics on September 15. He surrendered five runs on nine hits over five innings, striking out three and walking one. For Kansas City, right-hander Jonathan Heasley (1-7, 5.21 ERA) gets the start. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Padres. In his last start on Tuesday, Heasley took a no-decision at home against the Diamondbacks. He threw 4.2 scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out two and walking four in the 7-3 loss.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, San Diego has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.4. Against righties like Heasley this season, the Padres have a .699 OPS. Juan Soto is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .975 OPS in 254 at-bats. Kansas City is averaging 4.4 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 3.8 for the season. The Royals have a .707 OPS against lefties in 2022. With a .742 OPS over 111 at-bats, Bobby Witt Jr. has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Diego is on a three-game winning streak on the road, bringing their record to 35-30 in 2022. The Padres have scored 5.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.4 runs. Kansas City has gone 31-37 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. In five meetings at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, San Diego is 3-2 despite an average scoreline favoring Kansas City (7.8-7.2).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Padres are second in the NL West, 18 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Royals are fourth in the AL Central, 17 games behind the Guardians.