In this article, we will formulate a Royals vs Rangers prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, June 19, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals (36-38, 17-19 Away) ended a six-game losing run with a Game 1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Before this series, the Royals were swept by the New York Yankees and Athletics, while they also lost to the Chicago White Sox. Kansas City didn’t stop there, as it won Game 2 as well. Maikel Garcia led the offense in a 6-3 victory on Wednesday with four RBI, while Kris Bubic got the win after allowing three runs on nine hits with six strikeouts and one walk across 5.1 innings.

This season, the Royals average 3.33 runs per game (29th in the MLB) on a .249/.302/.369 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Royals’ staff has a 3.40 ERA (5th) and 1.20 WHIP (8th). Vinnie Pasquantino leads the Royals with a .270 batting average, ten home runs, and 39 RBI this season.

Michael Wacha will take the mound for the Royals on Thursday. The 33-year-old right-hander has a 3-6 record in 14 starts this year with a 3.38 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 80.0 innings.

Texas Rangers Betting Preview

The Texas Rangers (36-38, 23-15 Home) beat the Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins on the road, and then swept the Chicago White Sox at home. They will not win the fourth consecutive series, though, after losing the opening two games of a three-game series against the Royals. In last night’s 6-3 defeat, Patrick Corbin took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 5.0 innings.

This year, the Rangers average 3.64 runs per game (26th in the MLB) on a .228/.293/.369 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rangers’ staff has a 3.15 ERA (2nd) and 1.14 WHIP (1st). Adolis Garcia leads the Rangers with a .232 batting average, eight home runs, and 35 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Rangers is Shawn Armstrong, who is 2-1 in one start this season, with a 2.90 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 31.0 innings.

Total Runs Facts

Five of the Royals’ last six day games after playing the previous day have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Four of the Rangers’ last five day games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 12 of the Royals’ last 14 road games against AL West opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in 15 of the Rangers’ last 20 day games against American League opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Rangers rank 3rd in the league for opponent batting average this season (.223).
The Rangers rank 3rd in the league for hits allowed this season (534).
The Royals rank T29th in the league for home runs this season (50).
The Royals rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (509).

Royals vs Rangers Prediction

The Rangers won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters, but the Royals will win the first H2H series this season; the only question is whether the hosts can avoid a sweep. I don’t know about that, and will avoid betting on the winner. Shawn Armstrong is getting a start in place of injured Tyler Mahle, and I don’t think he will last more than three innings. Armstrong didn’t allow a run in his last ten appearances, but he served as a reliever in those games, and this one will be different. I am backing the Royals to get to him early on, while I also think Michael Wacha will have problems in his start. Wacha surrendered 12 runs in his previous four starts, and despite having a strong month (a 2.45 ERA in May), he did allow eight runs in his last two starts. Go with Over.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Over