Oakland Athletics vs Kansas City Royals 5/5/23 – Oakland Athletics will begin a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals starting Friday night. Oakland and Seattle competed in a three-game home series from Thursday afternoon, and Oakland came away victorious, hoping not to suffer a sweep by their opponent. Last season, both teams split six meetings evenly with Athletics taking two out of three road contests on June 24-26 2022. However, the MLB best bet today was Kansas City to prevail in this match.
Oakland Athletics vs Kansas City Royals
Date & Time: Friday, May 5, 2023 at 8:10 PM ET
Location: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium Kansas City, MO
TV: Bally Sports Kansas City
Oakland Athletics vs Kansas City Royals 5/5/23 Betting Odds
Athletics
Moneyline: +133
Spread: +1.5 (-155)
Total: 9 over (-114)
Royals
Moneyline: -144
Spread: -1.5 (+135)
Total: 9 under (-106)
Oakland Athletics vs Kansas City Royals Analysis
Oakland Athletics suffered its second consecutive setback and seventh in eight games when they fell to the Mariners Wednesday night at home, in extra innings. On Thursday afternoon, the Athletics stood 6-25 in their AL West Division standings and 12.5 games behind leaders the Rangers for first place. On Wednesday, Oakland collected six hits, while Esteury Ruiz had two. The Athletics were one of 11 teams with runners in scoring position during this contest. JP Sears had an outstanding six scoreless innings performance, allowing only four hits with two walks and seven strikeouts but didn’t factor into the decision-making. Adam Oller suffered the loss in relief as he allowed five runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning of work. Kyle Muller will make his seventh start for the Athletics in this contest. He enters this season 0-2 with a 6.28 ERA, 1.919 WHIP, 15 walks and 20 strikeouts over 28.2 innings pitched. Muller didn’t factor into any decisions during his last start against the Reds on Saturday at home. He pitched five innings, allowing one run on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts before helping his Athletics rally for a 3-2 victory.
Kansas City Royals took home only their second win in seven games Wednesday evening by defeating Baltimore during game three of their three-game set. The Royals came into Thursday at 8-23 and in last place of the AL Central, nine games back of leader Minnesota for first place. On Wednesday, Kansas City relied on Nick Pratto and Vinnie Pasquantino each for three hits while Kyle Isbel and Michael Massey each chipped in two hits to secure victory in an 11-1 win over Houston. Pasquantino hit his sixth homer of the season for the Royals during this win, while Zack Greinke secured it by tossing five scoreless innings with just three hits allowed and no walks and three strikeouts before departing. Brad Keller makes his seventh start of the season for the Royals in this series opener. He holds a 3.56 ERA with a 1.582 WHIP over 30.1 innings pitched this year and has totaled 24 walks and 24 strikeouts for an overall record of 2-2. Keller didn’t factor into the decision in his last start, a road game against the Twins on Saturday. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing one run on six hits with five walks and four strikeouts in a game the Royals eventually won 3-2.
Oakland Athletics vs Kansas City Royals Against the Spread
Oakland are 1-8 SU in their last 9 games. Oakland are 10-5 SU in their last 15 games against Kansas City. Oakland are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games on the road. Oakland are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against Kansas City. The total has gone OVER in 13 of Oakland’s last 18 games against an opponent in the American League.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City’s last 6 games. Kansas City are 4-15 SU in their last 19 games. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Kansas City’s last 7 games against Oakland. Kansas City are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games at home. Kansas City are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland.
Oakland Athletics vs Kansas City Royals Free Pick
Muller has faced tremendous difficulties as the Athletics have taken on an appearance of being nothing more than glorified Triple-A teams, leading to an environment which is best described as chaotic between franchise and city. Keller struggled early on with his control but still maintained a respectable ERA despite leading the AL in free passes. Let the Royals have the edge here as per MLB betting analysts. They should find a way to win game one in front of their home crowd.
Free Pick: Kansas City Royals -144
