Kansas City Royals vs Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 7-14-23 MLB Picks

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals meet Friday in MLB action from Kauffman Stadium. Tampa Bay is coming off a series versus the Braves last weekend, losing two of three games. As for KC, they lost three of four to the Guardians in their last series. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Tampa Bay Rays 

The Rays lost 2-1 and 6-1 to the Braves in their first two games last weekend, but managed a 10-4 win on Sunday to prevent the sweep. Tampa Bay is 58-35 overall this year, two games ahead of the Orioles atop the AL East. 

Tyler Glasnow will take the mound for the Rays’ Friday starting role. This year Glasnow is 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA and 64 strikeouts total. 

Kansas City Royals 

Over on the Royals’ side, they lost to the Guardians 6-1, 3-0 and 10-6 before a 4-1 Sunday win in their last series. Kansas City is just 26-65 so far this year and sitting in the basement of the AL Central. 

It’ll be Alec Marsh in the starting role for the Royals on Friday. This year over two starts (the first two starts of his career) Marsh is 0-2 with a 7.00 ERA and 10 Ks in 9.0 innings. 

The Rays have hit the money line in 58 of their last 93 and the over in 38 of their last 68 games. Tampa Bay has covered the run line in 50 of their last 93 games. 

Meanwhile, the Royals have hit the under in 39 of their last 70 games and the money line in three of their last five. KC has covered the run line in four of the last six games. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with the Rays here. Also probably avoiding it. The line's too thick to mess with. Tampa Bay really needs to start plating some runs; the Rays have scored just one in four of their last six games and they’re just 1-7 in their last eight outings. Tampa Bay should have a few opportunities against Marsh if all goes well. Marsh started out shaky against the Dodgers (4.0 innings; five earned in a loss) but didn’t play too badly in a loss to Minnesota his last time out (5.0 innings; two earned). Still, Tampa Bay should be firmly in control in this opener.