In this article, we will formulate a Royals vs Padres prediction for this MLB game on Friday, June 20, at PETCO Park in San Diego, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals (37-38, 18-19 Away) went through a rough patch of six consecutive defeats after being swept by the Yankees and Athletics, but bounced back with a sweep of the Texas Rangers in three games on the road. Kansas City allowed just five runs in those three wins, and it concluded the series with a 4-1 victory on Thursday. Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone led the offense with two RBI apiece, while Michael Wacha got the win after allowing one run on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks across 6.0 innings of work.

This year, the Royals average 3.36 runs per game (29th in the MLB) on a .248/.301/.369 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Royals’ staff has a 3.40 ERA (5th) and 1.21 WHIP (8th). Vinnie Pasquantino leads the Royals with a .270 batting average, 11 home runs, and 41 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Royals is Michael Lorenzen, who is 4-7 in 14 starts this season, with a 4.91 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 77.0 innings.

San Diego Padres Betting Preview

The San Diego Padres (40-34, 21-12 Home) didn’t lay their best baseball in the last couple of weeks; they lost to the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, and were just one defeat from getting swept by the Dodgers, but won Game 4 and avoided that sweep. The Padres entered the bottom 9th inning with a 5-0 lead, and although the Dodgers scored three, San Diego got away with a 5-3 victory. Jose Iglesias led the offense with two RBI, while Ryan Bergert pitched for 4.2 innings in a no-decision, allowing no runs on three hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Adrian Morejon was credited with the win.

This season, the Padres average 4.21 runs per game (18th in the MLB) on a .248/.314/.377 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Padres’ staff has a 3.61 ERA (10th) and 1.22 WHIP (13th). Manny Machado leads the Padres with a .310 batting average, 11 home runs, and 45 RBI this season.

Nick Pivetta will take the mound for the Padres on Friday. The 32-year-old right-hander has a 7-2 record in 14 starts this year with a 3.40 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 79.1 innings.

Total Runs Facts

Each of the Royals’ last four road games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
Five of the Padres’ last six games as favorites against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in seven of the Royals’ last eight games as road underdogs against NL West opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Padres’ last six games as home favorites against AL Central opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Padres rank 4th in the league for opponent batting average this season (.227).
The Padres rank 5th in the league for hits allowed this season (553).
The Royals rank T29th in the league for home runs this season (53).
The Royals rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (511).

Royals vs Padres Prediction

These teams have traded victories in the past couple of years, each recording five in the previous ten H2H encounters. Although I am leaning toward the Padres in this one, I am going with Over instead, because I wasn’t impressed with Nick Pivetta’s recent displays. Pivetta posted a 4.00 ERA in May, while in June, he allowed 11 runs in three starts, and it doesn’t look very good for him at the moment. Michael Lorenzen, on the other hand, allowed multiple runs in his last six starts, and I’d be shocked if he keeps San Diego below three runs in the opening five innings. With the total set at 7.5, I have to go with Over.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Over 7.5