As the sun sets over Cincinnati, an exciting interleague series begins between two teams eager for a victory. The Kansas City Royals are on the road, kicking off a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. Kansas City managed to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Twins, winning 4-1 in their last game. Meanwhile, Cincinnati is riding high after sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals with a convincing 9-2 victory in their series finale. In their last encounter last season, the Reds completed a three-game sweep against the Royals from June 12-14, 2023.
Royals Aiming to Secure a Wild Card Spot
Kansas City had been struggling, losing five of their last seven games before their recent win against Minnesota. They entered Thursday with a record of 66-55, placing them third in the AL Central and six games behind the Guardians. The Royals currently hold the final wild card position in the American League, leading the Boston Red Sox by two games. In their last outing, Kansas City displayed an impressive offense with 11 hits, highlighted by Adam Frazier and Paul DeJong, who each recorded three hits. DeJong and Bobby Witt Jr. contributed to the scoreboard by hitting home runs. Cole Ragans earned the win, pitching seven strong innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out eight batters. Lucas Erceg closed the game without allowing a run, securing his fifth save of the season.
Michael Lorenzen takes the mound for the Royals, marking his 22nd appearance and 21st start of the season. After joining from the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline, Lorenzen’s record stands at 5-6 with a 3.79 ERA and 83 strikeouts across 111.2 innings. In his last outing against the Cardinals, he did not earn a decision after pitching 4.1 innings and allowing three runs. Lorenzen’s recent form shows a 3.21 ERA over his last three appearances. However, he has struggled against the Reds in the past, having lost his only career start against them while with the Rangers.
Reds Seeking Consistency to Reach .500
Cincinnati has been on a positive streak, winning four consecutive games after defeating the Cardinals. As of Thursday, the Reds have a record of 60-61, placing them tied for second in the NL Central, trailing the Brewers by nine games. They are also 4.5 games behind the Braves for the last wild card spot in the National League playoffs. The Reds showcased their offensive prowess with 13 hits against St. Louis, with Jonathan India leading the charge with three hits, two home runs, and four RBIs. TJ Friedl also hit two home runs, while Tyler Stephenson added another to the tally. Sam Moll earned the win in relief after a solid performance.
Nick Martinez will be the starting pitcher for the Reds, making his 34th appearance and eighth start this season. With a record of 6-5 and a 3.16 ERA, he has been effective, striking out 75 batters over 91 innings. Martinez’s last outing against the Brewers ended in a no-decision despite throwing seven scoreless innings. He has been in fine form recently, with a 0.69 ERA over his last three outings. Martinez has faced the Royals previously, holding a 2.08 ERA against them in his career, making this matchup particularly intriguing.
Best Bets for Kansas City Royals vs. Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds have had a rollercoaster season, lingering around the .500 mark due to inconsistent pitching. Following the trade of Frankie Montas and injuries to key players like Graham Ashcraft, the team has been experimenting with their pitching staff. In contrast, the Kansas City Royals have shown resilience, especially with young talents like Bobby Witt Jr. stepping up significantly since the All-Star break. With Lorenzen on the mound, the Royals possess the potential to score heavily. The prediction for this opening game favors the Royals, as they look to capitalize on their offensive strength.
