Oakland A’s Series Preview: Let’s do it again

The Royals just saw the A's during their long trip to the West Coast and they invited them over for a stay at their place. The two teams will match up this weekend with nothing more than a draft lottery spot on the line.

The Royals are going to play a game against Zack Greinke on June 24 at 7:10 pm. The last time the Royals played against Cole Irvin in Oakland, they managed to score just one run. Irvins has a better record at home than on the road.

Zack Greinke is ready to make his return to the big leagues after going seven innings during his last start in Omaha. Greinez struggled some in his final four starts before going on the IL. He is back healthy now and could have an opportunity to get back into the swing of things at the major league level.

Royals couldn't solve Oakland's Jared Koenig in Sunday's game. Koenigs walked four and hit another batter, but he only gave up two hits. The Royals were 1 for 4 against his sinker and 0 for 5 against the curve.

Brad Keller had been struggling before facing the A's last weekend. He gave up just one hit and three walks in seven innings and struck out six against them. It was the fifth time this season he's gone seven or more innings. Keller's slider still doesn't look like the good pitch we saw earlier in the season.

James Kaprielian was a big-time prospect with the Yankees but he had Tommy John surgery in 2017 and missed two full seasons. He was traded to the A's in the deal that brought Sonny Gray to New York. Kaprielian has struggled this season. Brady Singer has also had some struggles. The Royals and the Oakland A’s are in a World Series.

Brady Singer has struggled recently, but he's a back-of-the-rotation starter for the Royals. He's gone exactly five innings in three of his last five starts. On Sunday he didn't use his changeup much, even against left-handed hitters. The A's are inept enough that Singer should be able to handle them with just his two pitches.

Royals are playing decent baseball and the A's are bad. SB Nation has partnered with DraftKings to sponsor select series previews this season. The Royals are a -1.5 run favorite tonight with a +145 moneyline and an over/under of 9 runs scored in the game.