The August 7th Royals at Cardinals matchup has a run total of just 8.5, which seems low since the game features two starting pitchers who have had their issues lately. Brad Keller (7-10, 5.64 ERA) goes for Kansas City after pitching just 3.0 IP last time out because of back stiffness. The Royals are +135 underdogs.
Kwang-hyun Kim (6-6, 3.31) will try to battle through late season fatigue after he went just 2.2 innings in his last outing. The left-hander had been dominant before that, so is there value on St. Louis with a hefty -155 price tag on Saturday night.
Royals an Unpredictable Bunch
Kansas City is very streaky. They put together a 6-game win streak shortly after the all-star break and have won consecutive series’ against the White Sox, but were also swept in Toronto and didn’t have much going in Friday’s 4-2 loss.
KC managed just 7 hits on Friday night, and couldn’t get going after plating 12 runs in the final two games of their series against Chicago. The Royals hit 4 HR in Wednesday’s win, and also scored a 3-2 victory on Thursday despite getting just 6 hits. If Kim can rediscover his groove on the mound for St. Louis, it could be a tough outing for the KC offense.
Keller is the real question mark for Mike Matheny’s team in the August 7th Royals at Cardinals matchup. He allowed 7 hits over just 3.0 IP in his last go of it, and is on regular rest Saturday night despite back issues last start.
Cardinals Back on Track?
St. Louis was able to snap a3-game losing streak on Friday thanks largely in part to a4-4 night from Tyler O’Neill. The Cardinals are still just 5-5 over their last 10, sitting 7 games back in the wild card but with four team to jump. Basically, STL needs a sweep this weekend.
Paul Goldschmidt had a HR on Friday, his first in the last 10 games. Goldschmidt is 3 for 9 in his career vs. Keller, but St. Louis as a team is 9 for 45 (.200) vs. the Kansas City starter. The Cardinals definitely need O’Neill to stay hot on Saturday night, as the left-fielder is a scorching 11 for 17 (.647) over his last five games. Nolan Arenado is just 3 for his last 20 (.150).
Can Kim get through the arm fatigue and make it two in a row for St. Louis? If Kim can get his velocity back up, he has a good chance to return to the form that allowed him to hold three of four opponents prior to 0 ER. Kim went on a run where he allowed 3 ER total over 5 starts prior to giving up 5 in 2.2 IP vs. the Indians last week.
Free August 7th Royals at Cardinals Pick
Kansas City has actually won their last 8 vs. left-handed starting pitching giving them some value at +135. If Kim can get back on track that definitely hurts K.C’s chances in this one, but you have to like the Royals success vs. Southpaws as of late.
Royals 4 – Cardinals 3
Free Pick: Royals +135
