Two of the lowest-scoring offenses in MLB are set to face off at loanDepot Park on Monday as the Kansas City Royals (18-41) are on the road to face the Miami Marlins (32-28) for the opener of a three-game Interleague series.
The Royals are embarking on a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Rockies, taking the finale 2-0 on Sunday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Maikel Garcia was 1 for 3 with a solo home run.
The Marlins are kicking off the final series of their nine-game homestand. They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Athletics, taking the finale 7-5 on Sunday at loanDepot Park.
Yuli Gurriel went 3 for 4 with a triple and a double. He scored one run and had one RBI. Garrett Cooper added a home run and a double. He scored two runs and drove in three.
The teams are meeting for the first time since September 8, 2019, when the Marlins avoided a three-game series sweep with a 9-0 win at loanDepot Park.
ON THE MOUND
Left-hander Braxton Garrett (1-2, 4.22 ERA) will toe the rubber for Miami. In his last start on Wednesday, Garrett took a no-decision at home against the Padres. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up one run on two hits, striking out seven and walking one in the 2-1 win.
AT THE PLATE
The Kansas City offense is averaging 3.9 runs per game for the season, the fourth lowest in MLB, with a slash line of .233/.298/.386. Salvador Perez leads the team in OPS at .831. The catcher is slashing .282/.317/.515 with 12 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 27 runs over 53 games.
Against lefties like Garrett this season, the Royals have a .744 OPS. Bobby Witt Jr. is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a .998 OPS in 50 at-bats.
Miami is slashing .260/.321/.396 for the season and averaging 3.9 runs per game, the fifth lowest in the league. Luis Arraez leads the team with a .926 OPS.
The second baseman has one home run, 27 RBIs, and 21 runs scored with a slash line of .390/.441/.485. Miami is averaging 5.2 runs per game in the last five with a higher slash line (.285/.358/.411).
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 9-18 away from home in 2023, scoring 3.5 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Miami has won three in a row at their home park. The Fish are 18-13 at home this season, averaging 3.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.4. In six meetings at loanDepot Park, Kansas City is 4-2 with an average scoreline of 2.7-2.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 13 games behind the division-leading Twins. The Marlins are second in the NL East, three games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Miami Marlins (-165)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
