Two struggling American League squads are set to meet in Kansas City. Coming into tonight’s game, the Athletics have lost 16 of their last 20 matchups. However, the team will hand the ball to their best pitcher, Luis Severino, on Friday. The Royals have had issues of their own, dropping three straight games at home against the Yankees. Which of these two squads will turn things around tonight? Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for this battle between the Athletics and Royals.
The Royals enter tonight as favorites (-161) over the Athletics, with the over/under set at eight runs. Let’s break down which side has the edge on DraftKings Sportsbook going into Friday’s contest.
Athletics at Royals prediction, preview
While these two teams have struggled, it’s for entirely different reasons. The Athletics have been putrid on the mound this season, allowing the second-most runs per game to opponents (5.99). If anyone can claim the title of staff ace on this roster, it’s Severino. Still, the right-hander’s numbers are far from impressive (4.77 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 6.5 K/9). At this point, it’s fair to say that the former All-Star hasn’t lived up to the three-year, $67-million dollar deal he signed this offseason. However, the Dominican has had most of his trouble at Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park (7.10). On the road, he’s only given up three runs over 31.0 innings (0.87 ERA).
On Friday, the A’s will face a Royals lineup that’s scored the third-fewest runs per game in baseball (3.35). Only three Kansas City regulars have a wRC+ greater than 100 (above average): Maikel Garcia (132), Bobby Witt Jr. (118), and Vinnie Pasquantino (109). During the team’s most recent three-game series against New York, they scored a total of five runs. Obviously, the Athletics aren’t the Yankees on the mound. Still, an experienced arm such as Severino is capable of shutting down this lackluster KC offense.
On the flip side, the Royals will send out one of the sport’s most underrated starters in Michael Wacha. This season, the 33-year-old has accounted for an ERA of 3.01 over 74.2 innings. Those numbers have been even better when throwing at the pitcher-friendly confines of Kauffman Stadium (1.80 ERA). However, tonight’s showdown will be a challenge. Since June 2nd, the Athletics have scored the ninth-most runs per game in baseball (4.60).
Athletics at Royals pick, best bet
Best Bet: Athletics ML (+132)
I’d be lying if I said this was a slam-dunk play. However, it’s clear that both of these clubs are struggling right now. As good as Wacha has been, Severino’s dominance on the road makes this pitching matchup fairly even. That leads me into backing an Athletics offense scoring the league’s 15th-most runs per game (4.27). At plus-money, the A’s could be a Friday night steal for bettors.
