MLB Prediction: Can the Dodgers hold off the Royals? 7/7/17
Will the Kansas City Royals have what it takes to pick up a win on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers when the two meet tonight at 10:10PM ET? Here’s our MLB Prediction for this series opener.
THE ODDS
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Dodgers are the clear favorite tonight, as they are getting odds of -210 to win. The Royals are listed with odds of +185 to prevail, while the over/under total has been set at 9 runs. These two teams haven’t met since the 2014 season.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The pitching matchup tonight has Jason Hammel (4-7, 5.08 ERA) on the mound for the Royals to face Kenta Maeda (6-4, 4.56) of the Dodgers. Hammel is coming off one of his worst outing of the year, allowing seven runs in 5.1 innings against the Twins this past weekend. On the season, Hammel has 70 strikeouts with 29 walks and a WHIP of 1.48. Maeda is coming off one of his worst outings as well, allowing five runs in 3.2 innings to the Padres. On the year, he has 72 strikeouts with 19 walks and a 1.19 WHIP.
ROYALS
Kansas City comes into this series pretty hot, sweeping the Mariners in Seattle. The Royals have now won six of their last seven games. KC is 44-40 overall and 20-21 on the road. KC is now averaging 4.23 runs per game while giving up just 4.44 per contest. The Royals are being led by Salvador Perez, who has 17 homers with 55 RBI and a .288 average. Mike Moustakas is adding 25 home runs with 54 RBI.
DODGERS
The Dodgers are also rolling, sweeping the Diamondbacks at home while winning six of their last seven as well. Los Angeles is now 58-29 overall and 36-11 at home. L.A. is putting up 5.16 runs per game while allowing only 3.37 per contest. The Dodgers have been led by Cody Bellinger, who has 24 home runs with 56 RBI. Corey Seager is adding 22 doubles, 13 homers and 44 RBI.
MLB PREDICTION
The Royals have been rolling along, but I think their momentum gets stopped by a very good Dodgers’ team tonight. Los Angeles is too good in too many areas for KC. The Royals still don’t have a reliable lineup that can consistently put up runs. Hammel also has been inconsistent on the mound and is likely to struggle with these dangerous Dodger hitters.
MLB Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers -210
