Rays vs. Royals Prediction
Will the Tampa Bay Rays be able to get themselves back on track today when they go on the road to face the Kansas City Royals at 7:05PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
907 Tampa Bay Rays at 908 Kansas City Royals
Monday, May 14, 2018
7:05PM ET – Kauffman Stadium
TV: ESPN
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new Baseball Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers, the Royals are the slight favorite in this game, as they are getting odds of -115 to win. The Rays are listed with a money line of -105 to win, while the over/under total for the contest has been set at 9 runs. The public betting currently has 52 percent of the wagers going on the Rays. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Rays in a big funk
The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off a 17-1 loss at Baltimore on Sunday. They have lost six of their last seven games entering tonight’s contest. Tampa is now16-22 overall and 8-12 on the road. The Rays are putting up 4.26 runs per game this season while allowing 4.87 per contest.
Ryan Yarbrough takes the mound for the Royals tonight. He has appeared in nine games this season, starting two. He has a 2-2 record with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He has pitched 29.1 innings this year and has 27 strikeouts with 10 walks.
Royals return home
Kansas City just wrapped up a 6-game road stand by losing four of the six games. The Royals are now 13-27 overall and 6-13 at home. Kansas City is putting up 4.10 runs per game this season while allowing 5.82 per contest.
Eric Skoglund is taking the mound for the Royals today. He has started six games this year and is 1-2 with a 6.34 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Skoglund has pitched 32.2 innings this year and has 28 strikeouts with 10 walks.
MLB Betting Trends
Tampa Bay
The Rays have lost eight of their last 10 games against a left-handed starter and five of their last six road games.
Kansas City
The Royals have won five of their last six home games and five of their last seven games following a loss. KC is also 6-2 in its last eight games against a left-handed starter.
Prediction:
Both teams are struggling right now, but I think the Royals have the edge tonight. Skoglund has not been great, but I think the Royals returning home will give them a boost. Yarbrough doesn’t have a lot of experience on the mound this year and his early exit will hand the ball to a bullpen that has not been reliable.
The Pick: Kansas City Royals -115