Sports Reporter | Capper
Loading ...
The Seattle Mariners have now won six out of their last 10 games but are on the verge of getting swept in Kansas City in the series finale on this Sunday afternoon. The Mariners will be looking to avoid the sweep and keep their lead at the top of the AL West while the Royals will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games in a row.
They will be looking to get back on track and keep that top spot in the AL West in this series finale at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City this Sunday afternoon. With that said, we take a look at this matchup to make a Mariners-Royals prediction and pick.
Seattle Mariners (36-30) came into this series with wins in five out of their last six games. They took two of three from the Athletics in their most recent series and then swept the Los Angeles Angels in the series before that. However, the Mariners have now lost back-to-back games against the Kansas City Royals and are on the verge of getting swept in the series finale.
The Mariners certainly haven't been struggling at the plate during their two-game losing streak as they have scored 13 runs over that span. It's been their dreadful pitching that can't keep them off the scoreboard. The Mariners' pitching staff has given up 18 runs in their two losses to the Royals and are hoping for some solid pitching in the series finale to get them back on track.
The Mariners will be sending George Kirby to the mound who despite his 5-5 record and 4.05 ERA has been pitching quite well over his last 5 starts. Over his last 5 starts, Kirby has a 3-2 record, a 2.60 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 30 innings. He has now won back-to-back games and has allowed 2 Earned Runs or less in three out of his last five.
The Mariners will be set to take on lefty Cole Ragans in the series finale this Sunday Afternoon. While Ragans has been pitching exceptionally over his last four games, there is some cause for concern going against a stacked right-handed lineup of the Seattle Mariners. Also, Ragans has yet to face the Mariners in his career which gives the bats of the Mariners the upper hand in this matchup.
It's up to the Mariners to get after Ragans early in this game giving Kirby enough run support as he shuts down this Kansas City Royals team as they get back on track and avoid the sweep on the road.
Kansas City Royals (39-26) are sitting in second place in the American League Central just 3 games behind the division-leading Cleveland Guardians who have been at the top of the division all season long
Nonetheless, the Royals come into this matchup on a three-game winning streak while taking the first two games of this series against the Seattle Mariners.
The Royals have hit a rough patch recently losing 5 out of their last 7 games prior to this three-game stretch but their recent series against the slumping Mariners is exactly what the doctor has ordered for them to get back on track.
The Royals have been hitting well over their last 5 games which should give them some confidence coming into today's game.
They have been averaging 6.5 runs, a .272 batting average, 1 home run, and a .356 OBP over that span.
However, it's been their pitching that has been letting them down during this stretch. Their starters can't keep the opposition off the scoreboard. While their bullpen has done great work, the starters have already given up a ton of runs it put them behind early in these games.
Luckily for the Royals, they have Cole Ragans taking the mound who has been terrific over his last 5 starts. While he only sports a 3-2 record, he has just a 2.00 ERA and just gives up 4.8 hits per game with 7 strikeouts in 6 innings pitched.
It'll be up to Ragans to limit the damage from the bats of the Seattle Mariners as well as the Royals to continue their hot bats when they play host to the Mariners in this series finale hoping to sweep in this Sunday afternoon matchup.
The Seattle Mariners are looking to get back on track after hitting a rough patch over their last 4 games meanwhile, the Royals will be looking to close out this home series with a sweep of the Mariners.
Both teams send surging pitchers George Kirby and Cole Ragans to the mound who have been pitching very well this season.
All signs point to this matchup being a pitcher's duel with runs being very limited.
While it is tough to take a side here, especially on a team that is struggling like the Mariners, the Royals should be able to close out this series with a sweep.
The Mariners struggle against left-handed pitching and today's matchup will be no different. The Royals will continue their hot streak at the plate giving Ragans enough run support to get the win and the series sweep.
FINAL MARINERS-ROYALS PICK & PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY ROYALS (-136)
Check our FanDuel sportsbook review to find out more about FanDuel's rating, bonuses, betting margins, and other helpful details.
© 2005-2024 BALLISLIFE.COM - PO BOX 15355. IRVINE, CA 92623
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.