To say that the Kansas City Royals are coasting towards home field advantage in the American League playoffs is an understatement. They're 68-45, and will put their 39-19 home record on the line on Sunday Night Baseball against the Los Angeles Angels.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Not surprisingly, KC has one of the best money marks in the league this year at +20.89 units.
The more interesting study is for the Angels. They're only five-games above .500 right now at 59-54, and as a result, they’ve dropped below the breakeven point at -1.17 units.
PITCHING MATCHUP
On a better team and with some better help from his team, Hector Santiago might be a 12-win pitcher. His 2.87 ERA and 1.17 WHIP are both tops in the LA rotation, yet he is only 7-6.
There's some evidence here though, that Santiago is taking some steps in the wrong direction. He’s allowed at least three runs in four straight outings and hasn't pitched more than six frames since July 10.
Kansas City is going to throw Yordano Ventura on Sunday Night Baseball. He's only 7-7 with a 4.97 ERA. There are a lot of signs that this flamethrower can have excellent outings, but consistency has been a struggle.
In his last five starts, Ventura has had two outings in which he allowed either no runs or one run and three outings in which he allowed at least five.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I think he really trusts his bat speed to where he can wait longer and get better pitches. He's an aggressive hitter. But not you see the maturity coming along with pitch selection and understanding you're not going to do anything unless you get a good pitch to hit here." – Royals hitting coach Dale Sveum on Lorenzo Cain and his dark horse MVP candidacy
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Huston Street only has one save since July 22, which is a big concern for Angels’ bettors. However, he’s been doing his job on the mound when out there, allowing just four hits and one walk in 5.2 scoreless August innings. If the Halos need a good frame in the ninth, Street will very likely get the job done.
PROP TALK
The Royals have dominated this series of late, winning seven straight games dating back to last year. The last five of those have been decided by at least two runs, so don't be afraid to play KC's props for alternative final scores in this game for a potential big payoff.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Royals might be playing really good baseball, but if the oddsmakers are going to have them laying something like -160 in this game, we won't be afraid to pull the trigger on the Angels.
LA hasn't gotten much of late out of Albert Pujols, and Mike Trout is a three-home run game waiting to happen. Against a man like Ventura, the Halos could put seven on the board in a hurry. Anything beyond about three should be enough with Santiago on the mound, though.
Los Angeles 5, Kansas City 3
The baseball betting odds for this Sunday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals will start at 8:08 p.m. ET on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. You can watch the contest live on ESPN.
