In this article, we will formulate a Rays vs Royals prediction for this MLB game on Tuesday, June 24, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays (43-35, 16-12 Away) swept the New York Mets, split with the Baltimore Orioles, and beat the Detroit Tigers. The Rays opened that series against the Tigers with a pair of wins, but couldn’t get a sweep after suffering a 9-3 defeat in Game 3 on Sunday. Taylor Walls led the offense with two RBI, even though he entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the 7th inning. Zack Littell pitched for 5.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts and no walks, while Garrett Cleavinger took the loss.

This season, the Rays average 4.76 runs per game (6th in the MLB) on a .256/.323/.404 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Rays’ staff has a 3.59 ERA (8th) and 1.18 WHIP (4th). Junior Caminero leads the Rays with a .265 batting average, 19 home runs, and 50 RBI this season.

Taj Bradley will take the mound for the Rays on Tuesday. The 24-year-old right-hander has a 4-5 record in 15 starts this year with a 4.95 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 80.0 innings.

Kansas City Royals Betting Preview

The Kansas City Royals (38-40, 19-19 Home) responded to a six-game losing skid with a sweep of the Texas Rangers, and even though they opened a series against the San Diego Padres, they dropped the next two. In the rubber match on Sunday, the Royals fell short, 3-2. Salvador Perez led the offense with a two-run home run, while Seth Lugo pitched for 6.1 innings in a no-decision, allowing one run on two hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. Daniel Lynch IV took the loss.

This year, the Royals average 3.36 runs per game (29th in the MLB) on a .247/.301/.371 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Royals’ staff has a 3.41 ERA (4th) and 1.21 WHIP (7th). Vinnie Pasquantino leads the Royals with a .267 batting average, 11 home runs, and 41 RBI this season.

The projected starting pitcher for the Royals is Kris Bubic, who is 6-4 in 14 starts this season, with a 2.12 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 85.0 innings.

Why the Kansas City Royals will win

The Rays have lost each of their last six games as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
The Royals have won four of their last five games against the Rays.
The Royals have covered the run line in 10 of their last 11 night games against AL East opponents following a road loss.
The Rays have failed to cover the run line each of their last three road games against AL Central opponents that held a losing record.
The Rays have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games as road underdogs against American League opponents.
The Royals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games against the Rays.

Total Runs Facts

Each of the Rays’ last four games as underdogs against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Four of the Royals’ last five games against American League opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Rays’ last 10 games as underdogs against American League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last five games between the Rays and Royals.

Matchup/League Facts

The Royals rank 29th in the league for home runs this season (56).
The Royals rank 29th in the league for RBIs this season (258).
The Rays rank 3rd in the league for walks allowed this season (214).
The Rays rank 27th in the league for triples this season (6).

Rays vs Royals Prediction

The Royals won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters, including all three meetings this season. Taj Bradley already faced the Royals this year, and did well, allowing two runs in 7.0 innings in a loss, but he struggled recently, and I don’t think he will have another good outing against Kansas City. Bradley surrendered 13 runs in his last three starts, and although he is pitching against one of the weakest offenses in the MLB, I am backing the Royals to score 3+ runs off of him. Kris Bubic, on the other hand, had problems in his last two starts, allowing eight runs in 9.2 innings, but he was excellent throughout the season, and I am sure he will bounce back in this one. Back the Royals.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Royals ML