MLB
Kansas City Royals vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction 8-23-24 MLB Picks
Philadelphia Phillies (74-53) vs. Kansas City Royals (71-56)
August 23, 2024 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Kansas City Royals -128 / Philadelphia Phillies +109; Over/Under: +9.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals square off Friday in MLB action from Kauffman Stadium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this Game. Here’s a Kansas City Royals vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Philadelphia Phillies will send out Taijuan Walker for the start here and Walker is 3-4 with a 5.69 ERA and 51 strikeouts this season. In his career, Walker is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 14 strikeouts against the Royals. Michael Wacha will get the start for the Royals here and is 10-6 with a 3.33 ERA and 108 strikeouts this season. In his last five starts against the Phillies, Wacha is 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
Philadelphia Phillies Recap
The Philadelphia Phillies will try to rebound after losing their series with the Atlanta Braves thanks to a 3-2 loss in Thursday’s series finale. The loss for the Phils meant that they were unable to build on their series win over the Washington Nationals from last weekend.
Phillies Trying To Pull Away In NL East
Alec Bohm leads the Phillies with 142 hits including 43 doubles, a .295 batting average and a team-high 85 RBIs while Bryce Harper has 26 home runs with 73 RBIs and Bryson Stott has a team-high 25 stolen bases. Kyle Schwarber has 28 home runs, 79 RBIs and a team-high 150 strikeouts as well this season. Johan Rojas also has 21 stolen bases as well this season.
Why the Philadelphia Phillies will win
- The Royals have lost each of their last four games as home favorites following a home win.
- The underdogs have won four of the Royals’ last six games.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight night games against NL East opponents that held a winning record.
- The Phillies have covered the run line in each of their last four road games against American League opponents following a road loss.
Kansas City Royals Recap
The Kansas City Royals come into this set looking to build on their series win over the Los Angeles Angels to start the week, thanks to a 3-0 win in Wednesday’s series finale. The win gave the Royals back-to-back series wins after sweeping the Cincinnati Reds on the road this past weekend.
Royals Trying To Lock Up Wild Card Spot
Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Royals with 178 hits including 25 home runs, 92 RBIs and team-highs of 11 triples and 38 doubles with 25 stolen bases and a .352 batting average. Salvador Perez also has 22 home runs with 85 RBIs and 22 doubles. Maikel Garcia has 6 home runs, 49 RBIs and 30 stolen bases along with 5 triples and 22 doubles this season. Vinnie Pasquantino has 28 doubles with 18 homers and 95 RBIs of his own on the year.
Why the Kansas City Royals will win
- The Phillies have lost each of their last four night games against American League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Royals have won each of their last four games against National League opponents.
- The Royals have covered the run line in each of their last four games against National League opponents.
- The Phillies have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six Friday night games.
Kansas City Royals vs Philadelphia Phillies Prediction
I’m on the Royals here. I just don’t trust Taijuan Walker as he hasn’t been very good since rejoining the Phillies rotation, and even before he went on the IL, Walker hadn’t been that effective. Now you’re taking on a Royals team that’s hitting well and also hitting well at home where they’ve been at their best all season and the Phillies have been backpedaling into the final month of the season. I think there’s a lot of value catching the Royals at this price, so give me Kansas City here.
Chris Ruffolo's Free Pick: Kansas City Royals -128
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