Boston Red Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction 8-7-23 MLB Picks
The Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox meet in game one of their four-game MLB set from Fenway Park on Monday night. Two teams that have been going in different directions over the last week and not the ones we would think. Who draws first blood here? Let’s dive in and find out.
Royals Still On A Roll Despite Losses
The Kansas City Royals may have dropped back-to-back games to lose their series with Philadelphia, but the Royals can still take solace that they were competitive in all three games and are still 7-2 in their last 9 games. Sunday’s 8-4 loss to the Phillies dropped KC to 36-77 on the year, but they’re still 3.5 games clear of the Oakland A’s for the worst record in baseball. Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Royals with 120 hits, 20 home runs and 67 RBIs along with a .268 batting average while Salvador Perez is second for the Royals in homers with 17 this season. MJ Melendez also has a team-high 21 doubles but has the dubious distinction of leading KC with 123 strikeouts this season. Cole Ragans will start for Kansas City here and is 3-3 with a 4.33 ERA and 35 strikeouts this season.
Kansas City Royals Team Facts
- The Royals have lost each of their last nine Monday games against AL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Royals have covered the run line in seven of their last eight night games against the Red Sox following a loss.
- The 'Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Royals' last five games.
- The Royals have led after 3 innings in each of their last three games as underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Royals have led after 7 innings in six of their last eight games as underdogs.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- MJ Melendez has recorded at least one hit in each of the Royals' last nine games against AL opponents that held a winning record.
- Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Royals' last six night games.
- Bobby Witt Jr. has hit a home run in three of the Royals' last four night games against opponents that held a winning record.
- MJ Melendez has scored at least one run in each of the Royals' last five games against the Red Sox.
- Kyle Isbel has recorded two or more total bases in five of his last six appearances in night games against AL teams that held a winning record.
- Bobby Witt Jr. ranks 4th in the league in Steals (32) this season.
Red Sox Sliding After Frustrating Sweep
The Boston Red Sox had a golden chance to make up some ground in the AL Wild Card race, but just like Toronto did with Baltimore to start the week, Boston let their chance slip by getting swept by Toronto, losing the finale of the three-game set on Sunday by a final score of 13-1. The loss dropped Boston to 57-52 on the year, 12.5 games back in the AL East and in the basement of the division and are also now 5 games back of Toronto in the AL Wild Card chase. Masataka Yoshida leads the Red Sox with 117 hits and a .306 batting average with a .365 OBP while Rafael Devers has a team-high 26 home runs and 79 RBIs. Jarren Duran’s also added a team-best 32 doubles and 23 stolen bases this season. Brayan Bello will start for Boston here and is 8-6 with a 3.79 ERA and 89 strikeouts this season.
Boston Red Sox Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the Red Sox's last five games at Fenway Park.
- The Red Sox have covered the run line nine of their last 10 night games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Red Sox have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six games as favourites against American League opponents.
- The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Red Sox's last four games as favourites against AL Central opponents.
- The Red Sox have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last eight Monday home games.
Boston Red Sox Player Prop Facts
- Luis Urias has hit a home run in each of his last two appearances with his team as a favourite against AL Central opponents.
- Rafael Devers has scored at least one run in seven of his last eight appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
- Masataka Yoshida has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last 10 home appearances against AL opponents.
- Masataka Yoshida has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances with the Red Sox as home favourites against AL opponents.
- Justin Turner has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances against the Royals.
- Masataka Yoshida ranks 6th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.306) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Boston Red Sox ranks 1st in the league for doubles this season (243).
- The Boston Red Sox are one of only 3 teams in the league to rank top 10 in both strikeouts and on-base percentage this season.
- The Kansas City Royals ranks 1st in the league for triples this season (30).
- The Kansas City Royals ranks 29th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.297).
Chris’ Pick
I’m looking at the Royals here. I get why the Red Sox would be favored and Bello has done a decent job at home, but Kansas City was mighty competitive in the series against Philadelphia and I think there could be a bit of a hangover from the disappointment of getting blown out in addition to losing the ground against Toronto. Kansas City’s playing like the most dangerous kind of opponent, a team playing spoiler with nothing to lose. I think the Royals come in and keep the ball rolling and as such I’ll take Kansas City here.
