Royals vs. Rangers Thursday Prediction
After taking two out of three games in St. Louis, the Kansas City Royals will travel to Arlington to open a new series with the Texas Rangers. Will the two teams combine for enough runs to push the score over the betting total on Thursday night?
Game Snapshot & Odds
915 Kansas City Royals (-110) at 916 Texas Rangers (+100); 9.5 runs
Thursday, May 24, 2018
8:05 p.m. ET, Globe Life Park in Arlington
TV: KC (FSKC); TEX (FSSW)
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Public Betting Trends
Oddsmakers from online sportsbooks currently list the Royals as a -110 favorite. As of this writing, 55% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Rangers to beat the Royals on the moneyline. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our MLB Public Betting Page for updated figures on this game.
Royals’ Duffy knocked around by Yankees in last start
Danny Duffy surrendered five runs on seven hits over four-plus innings in Saturday’s loss to the Yankees. Duffy struck out four — including Aaron Judge looking, twice — and walked three. Matters turned truly sour after he trotted back out for the fifth inning, when a Clint Frazier walk led to a Ronald Torreyes single led to a Gleyber Torres home run.
That would be all she wrote for Duffy. He’s been rocked repeatedly this season, having surrendered 20 runs over his last six outings. A road showdown with the Rangers shows next on the schedule. Duffy will carry a dismal 6.88 ERA and 1.73 WHIP into that contest. Yikes.
Rangers to start Bibens-Dirkx vs. Royals
Austin Bibens-Dirkx will start on Thursday against the Royals. Bibens-Dirx was signed to a minor league contract in December, and his contract will be selected from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. He appeared in 24 games with the Rangers in 2017, registering a 4.67 ERA, 1.356 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings over 24 appearances for Texas.
MLB Betting Trends
Kansas City
The Royals are 8-23 in their last 31 games versus the Rangers in Arlington and are 5-16 against Texas in their last 21 meetings. Kansas City has lost five of Duffy’s last six starts against the Rangers as well.
Texas
The under is 12-3-3 in the last 18 meetings between these two teams in Texas and is 32-14-5 in the last 51 meetings overall.
Prediction:
This is a great spot to hop on the underdog at home coming off a successful series against one of the best teams in baseball. The Rangers have to be flying high after rallying from four and five runs down, respectively, versus the Yankees on Wednesday night. Not to mention the Royals are 1-10 in Duffy’s last 11 starts, are 1-5 in his last six road outings and are winless at 0-5 in their last five games against the American League West. I know KC is likely confident after taking two of three from the Cardinals in the I-70 series but I can’t overlook their record with Duffy on the hill.
The Pick: Texas Rangers +100