Connect with us
Dice+

Las Vegas A's

Can the A’s sweep the Royals?

© Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
  • What: MLB Regular Season Game
  • When: Thursday, June 20
  • Who: Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland Athletics
  • Tip-Off: 3:37 p.m. ET
  • Where: Oakland Coliseum (Oakland, CA)

The Royals, despite a strong season and a 41-33 record, are heading to Oakland to face the Athletics after a few recent setbacks. However, their resilience and determination to bounce back from these losses should instill hope in their fans.

Oakland Athletics

Meanwhile, the Athletics are one of the worst teams in MLB, entering this series with a dismal record of 27-48. Their recent struggles can be attributed to a series of injuries to key players and a lack of consistency in their pitching staff.

Kansas City has seen success this season, especially with their top-10 batting lineup and solid pitching staff. However, they will be without their star pitcher, Seth Lugo, who is nursing a minor injury. Lugo has formed a formidable rotation alongside Brady Singer, Alec Marsh, and Cole Ragans.

Recently, Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. have been standout performers at the plate, with contributions from Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino. The Royals have been a pleasant surprise this year.

Seth Lugo will start on the mound for the Royals. He boasts a 10-2 record, a 2.40 ERA, and a 1.05 WHIP. Over 97.1 innings, Lugo has allowed 27 runs on 81 hits, walked 21, and struck out 79.

He has started 15 games this season, with the Royals winning 10. Lugo faces a favorable matchup against the struggling Athletics as the staff ace.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals’ offense has improved significantly after a slow start. They rank seventh in team batting average at .249, an improvement from last season’s .254. Their playing style is characterized by aggressive base running and a focus on power-hitting.

Bobby Witt Jr. leads the team with a .321 batting average, tied with Salvador Perez for home runs (11), RBIs (51), and total hits (96). Perez also leads the team in on-base percentage at .372.

Mitch Spence, who has been solid for the Athletics in a limited starting role, will need to contend with this hot Royals lineup. With a 27-48 record, the Athletics recently snapped a nine-game losing streak.

Despite the Athletics’ struggles at the plate and on the mound, players like JJ Bleday, Abraham Toro, Shea Langeliers, and Brent Rooker have shown promising performances.

This potential should pique the interest of baseball enthusiasts wondering if they can turn the tide in this game.

Pitchers Paul Blackburn, JP Sears, and Mitch Spence have performed well, although the team’s overall pitching remains weak. Mitch Spence will start for the Athletics with a 4-3 record, a 3.95 ERA, and a 1.21 WHIP. He has allowed 26 runs on 55 hits through 57 innings.

In 17 appearances this season, the Athletics have a 6-11 record as a starter and in relief. Spence faces a tough challenge against the Royals’ strong batting lineup.

Oakland’s offense has been abysmal, ranking second-worst in MLB with a .222 team batting average, unchanged from last season. JJ Bleday, Abraham Toro, and Brent Rooker lead in most offensive categories.

Bleday has a .261 batting average and a .342 on-base percentage, Rooker leads with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs, and Toro tops the team with 70 hits.

Royals-A’s Best Bet

Both teams have a lot to prove in this series. The Royals aim to bounce back from recent losses and maintain their position at the top of the league, while the Athletics look to build on their recent win and improve their dismal season, hoping to climb up the standings.

The Royals have a clear advantage in this game, with Seth Lugo on the mound. While Mitch Spence has been solid for the Athletics, Lugo is a difference-maker who should help the Royals secure a win.

Kansas City’s batting lineup also holds the edge, given the Athletics’ struggles on offense. With Lugo’s strong performance and the Royals’ offensive firepower, Kansas City should easily win and cover the spread.

Will the A’s stay hot against the Royals?

Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!

Related Topics

More in Las Vegas A's