Angels vs Royals Free Play, 7–25–2016

Los Angeles Angels vs Kansas City Royals Free Play from Oddsboard

Game Time: Monday July 25, 8:05pm EST

MLB Betting Odds: Royals -118, 8.5

Los Angeles Angels Preview

Starting Pitcher: Hector Santiago (8–4, 4.32 ERA)

The Angels are coming off an absolute thrashing at the hands of the Houston Astros as the AL West contenders hung 13 runs on the Halos. Now they enter a series vs the defending World Series champions at Kauffman Stadium.

This has been a very troubling year for the Angels. They are in last place in the American League West, sitting 13.5 games out of first in the division and 11.5 games out of a wildcard spot.

Los Angels has some very good hitters with Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Kole Calhoun and Yunel Escobar and it’s hard to imagine this lineup struggling but that is exactly how this season has gone thus far. The Angels come in ranked 12th in the league in scoring, putting up 4.60 RPG, while also ranking 6th in hitting at .266 and 25th in homers with 93.

Toeing the rubber for the Angels will be Hector Santiago, who has gone 8–4 with a 4.32 ERA in 20 starts this year, including 4–0 with a 1.08 ERA in his last four starts and 4–2 with a 3.03 ERA in 10 starts on the road. Santiago is 1–1 with a 2.12 ERA in his last 6 games (5 starts) vs the Royals. This includes 1–0 with a 1.42 ERA in three starts at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City Royals Preview

Starting Pitcher: Ian Kennedy (6–8, 4.28 ERA)

This is an important series for the Royal as well. They are currently 3rd in the AL Central and 6 games back in the Wild Card standings.

The Royals are a strong home team at 31–16, but on the road they have gone just 17–32. The biggest problem Kansas City has faced this season is their starting pitchers Ian Kennedy, Yordano Ventura, Edinson Volquez and Chris Young all have ERA’s at 4.28 or higher.

The offense has not been good either as they come in ranked 25th in the league in scoring, averaging just 4.01 RPG, while also ranking 4th in hitting at .270 and 27th in homers with 83. Kansas City has hit .294 overall at home which is a positive for this series.

Getting the nod for the Royals will be Ian Kennedy, who has gone 6–8 with a 4.28 ERA in 19 starts this year, including 0–1 with a 5.74 ERA in his last three starts and 3–2 with a 3.74 ERA seven starts at home.

Angels vs Royals Prediction

Los Angeles Angels Betting Trends:

• Angels are 5–0 in their last 5 vs. American League Central.
• Angels are 4–1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Angels are 0–5 in their last 5 road games.
• Angels are 7–1 in Santiagos last 8 starts vs. a team with a losing record.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

• Royals are 12–5 in their last 17 home games vs. a left-handed starter.
• Royals are 7–3 in their last 10 vs. a team with a losing record.
• Royals are 38–17 in their last 55 home games.
• Royals are 20–9 in their last 29 games vs. a left-handed starter.

The Royals have the edge going 31–16 here at home, while the Halos are 21–28 on the road. LA is just 1–5 in their last six trips to KC. This is a game the Royals cannot afford to lose and they won’t. The Royals are 5–2 in their last seven Monday starts, 20–9 in their last 29 against a lefty.

Angels vs Royals Free Play: Kansas City Royals -118

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