Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays Prediction 7-16-23 MLB Picks

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Kansas City Royals meet in MLB action from Kauffman Stadium on Sunday. Let’s dive into the odds, starting pitching matchup, history and make a prediction for this game.

Odds

The Rays are -210 road favorites while the Royals are +180 home underdogs. The total for this game is set at 9.5 runs.

Starting Pitching Matchup

Zach Eflin will start for the Rays and is 10-4 with a 3.25 ERA and 105 strikeouts this season. Brady Singer will start for the Royals and is 5-8 with a 5.80 ERA and 77 strikeouts this season. 

Matchup History

Tampa Bay’s 4-2 win in game two of the doubleheader on Saturday made it back-to-back wins for the Rays in this head-to-head matchup against Kansas City. 

Trends

Tampa Bay is 2-7 in their last 9 games overall and 4-2 in their last 6 road games while the under is 4-1 in their last 5 games overall. Kansas City is 1-7 in their last 8 games overall while the under is 5-1 in their last 6 games overall. 

Pick

I’m backing the Rays here. I get the case to be made for either side in this game but I just can’t get there with KC. The Royals were competitive in the last series against the Rays, but right now, Tampa Bay is the better team and while Eflin has had issues on the road this season, he’s pitched better in his last couple of road starts and I think he gets the Rays the win on the run line here.