Royals vs Cubs Prediction - MLB Picks 8/20/23

Chicago Cubs (63-59) vs Kansas City Royals (40-85)

Game Info: Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 2:20 pm (Wrigley Field)

Kyle Hendricks (4-6) (4.19) vs Jordan Lyles (3-13) (6.17)

Betting Odds: Chicago Cubs -208 / Kansas City Royals +188 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Chicago Cubs will host the Kansas City Royals for their interleague series finale this Sunday from Wrigley Field. Kansas City struck back in game two with a two-run win, 6-4.

Royals Preview & Projected Starter

Kansas City comes in at 40-85 after defeating Chicago. The Royals small balled their way to a victory last night, and they’ll look to steal another one at Wrigley this Sunday. Kansas City offense is scoring 3.62 runs per game, while batting .233, with a .293 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 5.25 ERA, with a 1.43 WHIP.

Jordan Lyles (3-13, 6.30 ERA, 91 Ks) will take the mound for Kansas City. The veteran pitcher didn’t fare well with Seattle last time out, allowing six runs in five innings, but he managed to avoid extending his league-lead in losses. It was nice to see Lyles earn a pair of victories, and it’ll be interesting to see how he closes this season out. Lyles has been a reliable innings-eater, and could very well be auditioning for his next employer for over the next six weeks.

Royals Player Trends & Props

Bobby Witt Jr. leads KC in hits (133), homers (23) and RBI (76).

Maikel Garcia leads the Royals in batting (.290), with 40 RBI.

Salvador Perez has produced nine runs in his last four appearances behind the plate, and he’s second on the team with 19 homers and 53 RBI.

MJ Melendez tied a season-high with three hits in the game two loss, and he’s posting splits of .227/12/42.

Cubs Preview & Projected Starter

Chicago comes in at 61-57 after losing to Kansas City. The Cubs let the Royals steal one last night, and they’ll look to avoid a series loss here in game three. The Chicago offense is scoring 4.12 runs per game, while batting .243, with a .323 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.18 ERA, with a 1.28 WHIP.

Kyle Hendricks (4-6, 4.09 ERA, 61 Ks) will take the bump for Chicago. The tenth-year righty pitched well in his second Windy City Showdown matchup of the season, holding the Sox to three runs in six innings en route to a Cubs win. Hendricks has been reliable this season, aside from a few blow ups, and he’ll look to avoid being upended by the youthful KC lineup.

Cubs Player Trends & Props

Cody Bellinger has produced a run in six of the last eight games, and he’s leading the Cubs in batting (.328), with eighteen home runs and 59 RBI.

Dansby Swanson plated five runs in the final two games in Toronto, and he’s posting splits of .257/18/60.

Nico Hoerner leads the Cubbies in hits (128) and RBI (59).

Jeimer Canderlario has collected a hit five of his last seven appearances, and he’s putting up splits of .275/17/56.

Corey’s Free Pick

Chicago let last night get away from them, but they should have a lighter test here with Jordan Lyles. When the journeyman pitcher starts, runs are usually surrendered, and after falling last night, look for the Cubs to capitalize on the matchup. Their team total will be in play here at home, and so will the game total, but let’s back Chicago for this interleague matchup.