The Kansas City Royals standings could technically be off to a worse start, but at 5-18 and last in the MLB standings, it is disappointing for a team with talented young players to be in the same breath as one of the worst MLB teams in baseball in the Oakland Athletics.
The better news as the Royals meet the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second of three MLB games between them this week is that the Royals are 4-6 in away games on the MLB schedule.
However, they play a Diamondbacks team who is 13-11 and remains atop the National League West standings. Here is a breakdown of each team, Royals vs Diamondbacks odds, picks, and predictions.
Kansas City Royals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Information
Kansas City Royals vs Arizona Diamondbacks
Location of the game: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ.
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 9:40 p.m. ET.
How to watch: Bally Sports Network | MLB.TV
Kansas City Royals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Odds
Kansas City Royals Odds: The Royals are +125 on the moneyline and +1.5 (-160) on the run line. The over/under for the game is 9.5 runs with -110 odds on either side of the spread.
The Royals’ implied run total is 4.5 runs, with -120 odds on the under and -110 odds on the over.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Royals vs Diamondbacks odds show that Arizona is favored at -140 on the moneyline and -1.5 (+140) on the run line.
The Diamondbacks’ implied run total is five runs, with -120 odds on the under and -110 on the over.
Kansas City Royals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Preview
The Royals have been one of the worst teams in baseball because they play consistently poor on offense and on the mound. They rank 28th in scoring 3.42 runs per game, 29th with a .214 batting average and a .615 OPS.
The pitching staff is 27th in, allowing 5.73 runs per game and a batting average against of .268. Royals pitching also allows a .788 OPS, which ranks 26th, and 1.51 home runs per game, which is second worst. Their 8.39 strikeouts per game is 24th.
Diamondbacks boast strong offensive record
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are 11th offensively, with an average of 4.93 runs per game. They are sixth with a batting average of .261, 15th with an OPS of .729, and fourth with 7.67 strikeouts per game. They hope to get a boost from the MLB injury report with slugging first baseman Christian Walker missing Monday’s game.
The Arizona Diamondbacks record is strong because of their offense. The pitching staff is 23rd in allowing 5.06 runs per game, eighth with a batting average against of .235, and 23rd with an opposing OPS of .761.
Starting Pitchers
Brady Singer (Kansas City Royals)
A former first-round pick, Singer is off to his worst start yet and has regressed from last season’s 3.23 ERA. This season he has allowed 19 earned runs in 21.0 innings pitched with 19 strikeouts and is 1-2 with an 8.14 ERA in four starts, MLB player stats show.
Ryne Nelson (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Nelson was solid in three starts last season as the former second-round pick debuted. But in four starts this season he has a 4.91 ERA and pitches to contact with 14 strikeouts in 22.0 innings.
Kansas City Royals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Picks and Predictions
Early MLB picks show that 58% of bettors who have made their bets public are on the over. For a pair of MLB teams with struggling pitching staffs, that seems fair. But in Singer’s case there must be some progression to his form last season at some point, so we’ll take the under, which is 1-5 in the last six meetings between the two teams.
Feeling bold? A Royals moneyline bet would be profitable and go against the 79% who think Arizona will win.
- Though the Royals vs Diamondbacks odds really are indifferent, we’ll side with the home favorites who have some hot bats that can’t be matched.
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