ODDS ANALYSIS
Getting a split of the four-game interleague series with the Atlanta Braves should be considered a step in the right direction for the Red Sox, who no longer have the worst record in the American League following Thursday’s 5-2 win.
The victory also snapped a seven-game road losing streak and the Sox are just 2-11 in their last 13 away from Fenway Park down 10.39 units in that span. Overall the Sox remain one of the least profitable teams in baseball down 17.33 units on the moneyline through their first 68 games.
The Royals used the Brewers as their own punching bag winning four straight in the home-and-home interleague set. Even though they are just 5-5 in their last 10 home games, the Royals remain lethal at home going 21-11 following their two-game sweep of Milwaukee. KC is in the black 7.48 units on the moneyline at home and 11.42 units overall. Chris Young has been a savior with three starters on the shelf with the Royals winning six of his eight starts with the under at 2-5-1 in those games.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Wade Miley (6-6, 4.88 ERA) struck out eight while limiting the Braves to two runs over 6.1 innings in Tuesday’s 9-4 victory. He surrendered five hits and walked two needing 111 pitches to get the win. His strikeout total matched a season-high in what’s been an up-and-down season.
Miley’s career against the Royals has mirrored his uneven season. At KC on May 20, 2012 he tossed seven shutout innings then on Aug. 5, 2014 he was tagged for 10 runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings. Both games were as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Chris Young (6-2, 1.98 ERA) has been everything the Royals have needed him to be, going seven shutout innings in his last start while also getting two hits and three RBIs. He allowed five hits while striking out three and hasn’t been scored upon over 13.1 innings in his last two starts giving up just six hits. He’s allowed one run or fewer in six of his eight starts this season.
The 36-year-old Young is 2-1 with a 4.82 ERA in four career starts against the Red Sox.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“It’s a real nice feeling. But it starts before the game because you’ve got a real good idea of what you’re going to get. They guy’s going to compete, he’s going to execute pitches, he’s got a tremendous game plan. There’s just a lot of confidence every time he steps on the mound.” – Royals’ manager Ned Yost on Chris Young
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
If things couldn’t get any worse for the floundering Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia, their sparkplug and the only player who looks like he even wants to be on the field, is hurting again. Known for his grit, Pedroia is again playing at less than full strength as he deals with swelling in his right knee. Pedroia underwent season-ending surgery to repair his wrist last September, so there is concern surrounding the 31-year-old. He played through hand and wrist injuries for parts of the last three seasons and the knee issue kept him out of Thursday’s win in Atlanta. “It will be fine. No worries, I’ll be fine,” he said. The Red Sox hope he’s right about that.
PROP TALK
Salvador Perez is in his fifth season and for the most part has gone unnoticed during his career. Until now. Maybe it’s because the Royals are the defending AL Pennant winners and have the best record in the American League. Or maybe it’s because the guy is good. Perez is a dominant player in the most demanding position on the diamond and is an integral part of the team’s success. Perez is hitting .284 on the season with 10 home runs and has a .315 average in Kauffman Stadium. He’s also been Wade Miley’s nemesis. Perez has three hits in three career at-bats against the Sox lefty with a homer run and three driven in. Sure it’s a small sample size, but you know Perez has the numbers in his head when he steps to the plate.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Red Sox need to do a lot more than split four games to prove they are not the worst team in the league. Going up against the Royals on their home turf will be a good opportunity for the Sox to show they’ve broken their spell, but don’t count on it. KC appears to have its mojo back after drubbing the Brewers and the Sox are always a team you want to crush. Sox starter Wade Miley has been awful on the road with a 7.71 ERA and .306 average against. Not good numbers against the top hitting club in the AL. Behind Chris Young the Royals cruise to a win.
Kansas City 7, Boston 2
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