Royals vs Rangers Predictions, Picks, Odds

Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers Preview

Where: Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas

When: Thursday, July 28, 1:35 PM ET

Line: Kansas City Royals (+150) at Texas Rangers (-170); total: 9.0 – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: FSKC, FSSW, MLBN

Writer’s Pick: Texas Rangers (-170)

Cash In on the Best Online Sportsbook Offers Now at TopBet!

Pitching Edge – Texas Rangers (-170)

Starting for the Kansas City Royals in the opening game of this four-game set is Yordano Ventura (6-8, 4.99 ERA). His last start against the Texas Rangers was cut short after taking a sharp grounder from Adrian Beltre to the ribs. X-ray results came back negative, though, for Ventura who expects to be fine for his return engagement with the Rangers tonight. Ventura will look for a much better showing this evening as he has lost in his last five games as the starting pitcher for Texas.

Meanwhile, the Rangers will counter with Cole Hamels (11-2, 2.87 ERA). The lefty will be making his second straight start against the Royals tonight. He allowed just one unearned run in 5.1 innings in Kansas City’s 7-4 victory on Saturday. Hamels has now won two straight starts since the All-Star break, surrendering just two runs in 13.1 innings.

Batting Edge – Texas Rangers (-170)

It’s safe to say that the main reason behind Texas’ ascent to the top of the AL West standings is their exemplary offense. Thus far on the season, The Rangers are fourth in the American League in runs (487) and hits (921), third in RBIs (473) and sixth in homers (130) — all figures are better than what the Royals have in those categories as of this writing.

In fact, the defending World Series champions are dead-last in the American League in runs scored (395), home runs (85), and RBIs (373). With those atrocious numbers, it isn’t a complete surprise to see the Royals languishing near the bottom of the AL Central standings. The Royals are currently two games below .500 and in real danger of missing the playoffs this season.