Athletics at Royals 6/1/18 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Oakland Athletics open a three-game road series on Friday against the Kansas City Royals.

The A’s lost their third straight on Wednesday falling to the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0. The A’s were no-hit by Nathan Eovaldi for six innings with Matt Chapman the only Oakland batter to reach base via a walk through six innings. Oakland mustered just one hit in the game, a seventh inning single against reliever Wilmer Frost.

Kansas City won its second straight game on Wednesday defeating the Minnesota Twins 11-8. The Royals are off on Thursday. In Wednesday’s win, Mike Moustakas knocked in four runs with a home run and double in just the first two innings. Teammate Jorge Soler had 4 hits including a home run. Jed Lowrie leads the A’s with a .306 batting average, and team highs in hits with 66, home runs with nine (Khris Davis 13 – DL) and RBIs with 39. Oakland has a team batting average of .237 while opposing hitters are averaging .248 at the plate against Athletics pitching. On Friday, the A’s will send Frankie Montas to the mound. The right-hander this season is 1-0 with an ERA of 1.50, 7 Ks and 2 BBs.

Jon Jay leads the Royals with a .307 batting average and team high 67 hits. Mike Moustakas leads the team in home runs with 12 and RBIs with 39. Kansas City has a team batting average of .257 while opposing hitters are averaging .277 against Royals pitching. Kansas City will send Ian Kennedy to the mound on Friday. The right-hander on the season is 1-5 with an ERA of 5.15, 54 Ks and 20 BBs.