The Pittsburgh Pirates (14-29) and Kansas City Royals (19-28) wrap up their three-game interleague series Sunday at Kauffman Stadium at 2:05 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pirates-Royals MLB betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Pirates at Royals: Projected starting pitchers
RHP Chad Kuhl vs. RHP Brad Keller
Kuhl has posted a 1-1 record, 3.38 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP and 28 strikeouts across 32 innings in six starts and two relief appearances to date.
- Kuhl has faced an American League team just once this season, allowing just one solo homer with no walks and seven strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision against the Detroit Tigers Aug. 7.
- Kuhl has allowed seven home runs in his past six starts, with at least one in each outing.
Also see: BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
Keller has registered a 3-2 record, 2.60 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 24 strikeouts across 34 2/3 innings over six starts.
- This will be Keller’s fifth interleague start this season. He is 3-1 with a 2.08 ERA in four starts vs. NL Central teams to date.
- Unlike Kuhl, Keller hasn’t allowed a home run in his 34 2/3 innings this season.
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Pirates at Royals: Key injuries
(List of injuries around the league)
Pirates
- RP Keone Kala (forearm) out
- OF Anthony Alford (elbow) out
Royals
- OF Jorge Soler (oblique) out
- OF Franchy Cordero (wrist) out
- RP Ian Kennedy (calf) out
Pirates at Royals: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:40 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Royals 5, Pirates 2
Moneyline (ML)
The ROYALS (-139) are the way to go here, as Keller hasn’t allowed any homers, and Kuhl has allowed at least one per game in each of his past six outings. Kansas City is on a roll, winning five in a row while outscoring the opponent 33-14.
New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on Kansas City returns a profit of $7.20, while a $10 wager on Pittsburgh (+125) nets a profit of $12.50 if it wins.
Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The ROYALS (-1.5, +140) are worth a shot, as they have covered the run line in four of the five games during their winning streak. Until KC cools off, keep hammering them.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 8.5 (-110) is worth a small-unit play, as the Pirates have struggled to score runs all season. The Under is 6-2-1 in the previous nine outings for the Bucs since Sept. 3.
A Royals and Under parlay looks pretty attractive.
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