Los Angeles Dodgers vs
Kansas City RoyalsPredictions & Preview

Dodgers Favored Over Royals in Interleague Matchup with Ohtani on the Mound

In this article, we provide a prediction for the middle game of a three-game interleague weekend series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kansas City Royals. The Dodgers come into this game after sweeping a series against the Colorado Rockies, while the Royals were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays. Shohei Ohtani will be the starting pitcher for the Dodgers, while Seth Lugo will be starting for the Royals. Los Angeles is the betting favorite at -165. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the opening game of the series on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Dodgers -165 | Royals +146
• Spread: Dodgers -1.5 (-105) | Royals +1.5 (-115)
• Total: Over/Under 9.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Los Angeles will win straight-up is 62%.

Los Angeles vs Kansas City Stats

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are on a hot streak, winning their fourth straight and 10th in the last 12 games as they swept the Rockies on the road. They currently hold a six-game lead over the Padres for the top spot in the NL West with a record of 51-31. In their recent victory, the Dodgers had key contributions from Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez, as well as a home run from Shohei Ohtani. Clayton Kershaw earned the win on the mound, with Tanner Scott closing out the game for the save. Ohtani will be making his third start of the season as a pitcher for the Dodgers, with an impressive track record against the Royals. The Dodgers are ranked 1 in offense, scoring an average of 5.67 runs per game, but are #23 in defense, allowing an average of 4.59 runs against them per game.

Kansas City Royals Analysis

The Kansas City Royals suffered their fifth consecutive loss and 11th in their last 15 games as they were swept at home by the Rays. The Royals, who are currently fourth in the AL West and 12.5 games behind the Astros, struggled at the plate against Tampa Bay, managing only five hits in the game. Pitcher Michael Lorenzen took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings. Seth Lugo will be on the mound for the Royals in their next game, with a 4-5 record and a 2.93 ERA. The Royals have a power ranking of 27, are ranked 29th for offense and third for defense, and have an overall record of 38-43. The Los Angeles Dodgers went 1-2 in their last three matchups against Kansas City.

Kansas City Royals' Offensive Struggles Against Tampa Bay Raise Concerns Ahead of Dodgers Matchup

Kansas City's recent offensive struggles have been evident in their performance, as they have scored just one run in their three games against Tampa Bay and a total of four runs in their last five games. This lack of offensive output is concerning, especially when facing a team like the Dodgers known for their strong offense. It is worth noting that Lugo has only pitched one inning in each of his outings this season, although he has been performing well. However, for the Royals to have a chance at success, it is crucial for their bats to step up and generate more production. In this matchup, the Dodgers are likely to capitalize on their offensive strength to secure a victory, particularly in the later stages of the game.

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