Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction: Can Zach Eflin Rack Up the Strikeouts?
Zach Eflin has been a revelation for the Tampa Bay Rays this season. So will he be able to rack up the strikeouts today against the Kansas City Royals? Baseball handicapper Top Cheddar answers.
Top Cheddar - July 16, 2023, 10:25 AM EDT
5 minKansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction: Can Zach Eflin Rack Up the Strikeouts?
Zach Eflin has been a revelation for the Tampa Bay Rays in a season where they have needed him most. Injuries have plagued the Rays, with Jeffrey Springs, Shane McLanahan, and Tyler Glasnow all missing time with injuries. Thankfully for them, they have found consistency with their young arms in Zach Eflin, who has been a top pitcher in the American League. Can he continue his fantastic season against a familiar opponent he has previously dominated?
Royals vs. Rays Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: July 16, 2023
- Start Time: 2:10 pm ET
- TV Channel: MLB.TV
Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction
Zach Eflin has faced the Kansas City Royals before. They faced off on June 23rd, and the Royals had no answer for him. Eflin went through six innings and had seven strikeouts in a commanding 11-3 win for the Tampa Bay Rays. I am going right back to the young starter today again.
Eflin has hit his 5.5 strikeout line in five of his last seven starts. The 29-year-old is averaging over 6.6 strikeouts in his last five starts and 6.2 strikeouts in his total season average. He has been hitting his line in 55% of all games so far this season and has a fantastic matchup today. The Royals come into today as the fourth-worst team versus right-handed pitcher strikeouts for the season. The Royals also rank dead last in wRC+ versus right-handing pitching.
To make matters better, or worse if you are a Royals fan, they are trending down in the last 30 days and last fourteen days. The Royals are also ranked fourth-worst in the last 30 days, but their strikeout rate has gone up from 24% all the way to 26% in this time frame. Their strikeout rate in the last 14 days is slightly above 26%, making them a fantastic target for Eflin today.
Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Pick
Zach Eflin Over 5.5 Strikeouts +110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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