The Kansas City Royals (4-15) take one of the weakest offenses in MLB on the road to face the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) and Shohei Ohtani, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The Royals are playing their first of 10 games on the road after wrapping up a winless six-game homestand.
They were just swept in three games against the Rangers, dropping the finale 12-3 on Wednesday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium for their sixth straight loss. Bobby Witt Jr. was 1 for 4 with a solo home run. The Angels are playing the first of seven games at home after returning from a rough seven-game road trip (2-5).
They lost two of three against the Yankees in their last series, dropping the finale 9-3 on Thursday at Yankee Stadium. Logan O’Hoppe went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Luis Rengifo added a double and two runs, walking twice.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the teams split their six games (3-3), although the Angels won two out of three in their most recent meeting at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium in July.
ON THE MOUND
Taylor Clarke (1-0, 6.75 ERA) is set for the start for Kansas City, his first of the season. The righty allowed four runs (three earned) in one inning of relief in his last appearance, a 12-3 road defeat against the Rangers on Wednesday.
He scattered four hits while striking out two and walking one. Over two appearances (zero starts) against the Angels in 2022, Clarke was 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 2.1 innings. He had three strikeouts and no walk.
RHP Ohtani (2-0, 0.86 ERA) will toe the rubber for Los Angeles. Ohtani made one start against the Royals in 2022, throwing eight innings in a 5-0 home win on June 22. He gave up two hits and walked one, while striking out 13 in the win.
In his last start on Monday, Ohtani took a no-decision on the road against the Red Sox. He threw two no-hit innings and gave up one run, striking out three and walking one in the 5-4 win.
AT THE PLATE
The Kansas City offense is averaging 3.1 runs per game for the season, second lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .208/.264/.331. Vinnie Pasquantino leads the team in OPS at .886. The second baseman is slashing .270/.378/.508 with three home runs, six RBIs, and eight runs over 19 games.
Against right-handed pitchers like Ohtani this season, the Royals have a .586 OPS, second lowest in the league. Pasquantino also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .976 OPS in 48 at-bats.Los Angeles is slashing .239/.330/.380 for the season and averaging 4.8 runs per game.
Four Angels hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Mike Trout (.976). The right fielder has three home runs, nine RBIs, and 13 runs scored with a slash line of .302/.436/.540. Los Angeles is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.215/.277/.301).
The Halos have a .669 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .955 OPS over 49 at-bats, Trout also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 3-3 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs. Los Angeles has gone 3-3 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 5.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. Los Angeles is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Angel Stadium of Anaheim with an average scoreline of 5.6-3.6.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Angels (-300)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
