Royals at Athletics 9/16/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Kansas City Royals open a three-game series on the road Monday against the Oakland Athletics. The Royals lost on Saturday to the Houston Astros 6-1. Mike Montgomery suffered the loss and fell to 3-9. The Royals only run was from an RBI-double off the bat of Whit Merrifield. Bench coach Dale Sveum of the Royals was ejected for yelling from the dugout during the second inning. 

Oakland used the long ball to beat the Texas Rangers on Saturday 8-6. Oakland hit four home runs in the win including a two-run shot by Mark Canha in the fifth. All eight runs came home on homers as Matt Chapman hit a three-run shot, Josh Phegley a two-run shot, Matt Olson a solo homer and Canha’s two-run blast.

Whit Merrifield leads Kansas City with a .306 batting average and in hits with 191. Jorge Soler leads KC in home runs with 44 and in RBIs with 107. Kansas City is averaging .245, while opposing hitters are averaging .275. On Monday, the Royals will send Glenn Sparkman to the mound. The right-hander is 4-11 with an ERA of 5.94, 72 Ks and 35 BBs.

Marcus Semien leads Oakland with a .281 batting average. Matt Olson leads in home runs with 34 while Semien leads in RBIs with 84 and in hits with 171. The A’s are averaging .250 at the plate while opposing hitters are averaging .245. On Monday, the A’s will send Tanner Roark to the mound. The right-hander is 10-8 with an ERA of 4.01, 144 Ks and 47 BBs.