Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Kansas City Royals 4/23/23

The Kansas City Royals (5-16) are on the road to face the Los Angeles Angels (10-11) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Sunday with the three-game series in the balance.

The Royals evened up the series 1-1 after winning 11-8 on Saturday. Jose Cuas threw one inning in relief to get the win, and Scott Barlow earned his second save with a scoreless ninth.Matt Duffy was 3 for 4 with two doubles, three runs, and one RBI in the win.

MJ Melendez added a triple, one run, and two RBIs. Hunter Renfroe went 3 for 4 with two home runs and a double for the Angels. He scored three runs. Matt Thaiss added a home run, two runs, and two RBIs.

ON THE MOUND

Jordan Lyles (0-3, 4.26 ERA) is set to get the start for Kansas City. The right-hander allowed four runs (three earned) over eight innings in his last start, a 4-0 road defeat against the Rangers on Monday. He took the loss, yielding four hits while striking out three and walking three.

Lyles is making his first appearance against the Angels this season. Lyles made one start against the Angels in 2022, a 4-1 home victory for the Orioles on July 7.

He surrendered one run on five hits over six innings, striking out four and walking two.For Los Angeles, southpaw Reid Detmers (0-1, 5.59 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Royals.

Detmers made one start against the Royals in 2022, throwing five innings in a 12-11 home defeat on June 21. He gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out six in the no-decision.

In his last start on April 16, Detmers took the loss on the road against the Red Sox. He threw 6.1 innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 2-1 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged 3.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 3.3. Against southpaws like Detmers this season, the Royals have a .673 OPS.

Duffy is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.134 OPS in 19 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.8 for the season.

The Halos have a .685 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.014 OPS over 53 at-bats, Mike Trout has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Kansas City is 4-4 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 4.9 runs. Los Angeles has gone 4-4 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.3 runs per game while surrendering 5.0.

Los Angeles is 6-4 in the last 10 games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.7-4.2.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, six games behind the division-leading Twins. The Angels are third in the AL West, three games behind the Rangers.