Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction: Should You Back Bobby Witt Jr. and the Royals?

Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction: Should You Back Bobby Witt Jr. and the Royals?

The Oakland Athletics have scored one run in two games against the Kansas City Royals.

Of course, the Royals won both of those games and will now be looking to sweep the worst team in baseball.

The Royals haven't been much better but clearly have the talent to compete in the major leagues. I'm not so sure the Athletics can say the same at this point.

Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Sunday's game between the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals.

Athletics vs. Royals Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: June 19, 2022
• Game Time: 4:07 pm ET
• Where to Watch: BSKC, NBCSCA

Click Here for Royals vs Athletics Odds

Athletics vs. Royals Injury Report

Athletics

Out: OF Stephen Piscotty (Calf)

Royals

Out: C Cam Gallagher (Hamstring), SS Adalberto Mondesi (Knee), OF Edward Olivares (Quadriceps)

Athletics vs. Royals Line Movement

Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction

I know this isn't the most exciting game to talk about. But I see value in this one.

Jared Koenig will get the start for the Athletics. On the year, the left-hander has an 0-2 record with an 11.25 ERA. The rookie just doesn't belong in the majors. He pitched in two games and has thrown just eight innings with six strikeouts. His WHIP is now 2.25 and he's got just six strikeouts on the year.

That translates into an xFIP of 6.67 with 14.3% of strikeouts and 9.5% of walks.

The Royals have an ISO of .202 and wOBA of .326 against lefties in the last 30 days with their projected lineup and have four batters hitting at a very high rate against lefties including Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Perez, M.J. Melendez, and Michael A. Taylor.

On the other hand, Brady Singer will get the call for the Royals. He's been solid this season with a 3-1 record to go along with a 4.24 ERA. His xFIP is sitting at 4.16 in the last 30 days, so his ERA and xFIP are basically on par with what you're going to get.

He's struggled a bit against lefties but overall, the Athletics have just a .311 wOBA with only two batters putting together a higher wOBA than .322 against righties in the last 30 days.

Again, the Athletics have just one run in two games against the Royals. I've got no confidence in this Athletics offense to do much damage but with the way the Royals stack up, I'm expecting big things from Kansas City's offense.

I'll take the Royals, on the road, to complete the sweep over the Athletics with Brady Singer on the mound. Singer has had his ups and downs this season but overall, he's been consistent in June, with at least four strikeouts in each start.

Back the Royals.

Oakland Athletics vs. Kansas City Royals Pick

• Royals (-150) (Bet $150 to Win $100)

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