This is the second game of a three-game series in Miami between the Marlins and visiting Kansas City Royals.
Michael Wacha is scheduled to pitch for Kansas City while Cal Quantrill should get the nod for Miami.
Royals at Marlins prediction, preview
Michael Wacha is only posting an 18.7% strikeout rate but the swinging strike rate is a respectable 10.8%, while the ERA of 3.74 is supported by the 3.87 FIP. Wacha has allowed only 11 home runs in 106 innings and he’s done an excellent job limiting hard contact. The average exit velocity is 87 mph, the barrel rate is 7.3% and the hard hit rate is only 32.7%.
Wacha does have reverse splits, as righties have been more productive against him. Eight of the 11 home runs have come off their bats. Unsurprisingly, Wacha is much better at home, as Kauffman Stadium is one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in MLB.
Wacha has allowed more than three earned runs five times, with two of those coming in the three most recent outings. Wacha has gone at least six innings eight times. This will be the first time facing the Marlins this season.
Against right-handed pitching, the Marlins have struck out at the 26th-highest rate while having the 29th-best ISO. The wOBA is 25th-best in MLB.
Cal Quantrill is pretty average all around. The swinging strike and chase rates are nothing special. The strikeout rate is at 19%. Both the walk and home rates are also average. Now, he is sporting a 5.62 ERA, but Quantrill has experienced some bad luck, as the BABIP is .335 while the strand rate is only 65.6%. The FIP is down at 4.38. That said, he does allow hard contact and the barrel rate is 10.9%.
Quantrill has reverse splits as well, as righties have hit nine of the 12 home runs allowed and are slashing a robust .371/.410/.653 against him. Quantrill has been much better at home than on the road.
Quantrill has allowed more than three earned runs five times. There’s only been one outing that he he hasn’t allowed an earned run. He has yet to pitch more than five innings. This will be the first time facing the Royals this season.
The Royals have struck out at the 22nd-highest rate against right-handed pitching, while being 26th in ISO. The wOBA is 20th-best.
As for bullpens, Kansas City has the 15th-lowest FIP, while Miami has the 18th-lowest.
Royals at Marlins Best Bet
I like Wacha to continue doing a good job limiting hard contact and preventing runs. I do have concerns with Quantrill and the Miami bullpen, but the Royals aren’t a juggernaught on offense and Quantrill is at home.
