The Los Angeles Angels are set to travel to Kansas City for a pivotal series against the surging Royals. Currently, the Angels sit in fourth place in the AL West, just above the Oakland Athletics. Meanwhile, the Royals are enjoying a strong position, holding the third and final wildcard spot in the American League after a recent sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. The matchup on Monday night features Angels’ right-hander Carson Fulmer (0-3, 4.22) against Royals’ ace Seth Lugo (13-7, 3.04). Fans can expect the first pitch at 8:10 PM EST.
Angels Rely on Fulmer’s Resilience
The Los Angeles Angels are on the brink of playoff elimination as they enter the series against the Royals. Coming off a tough weekend against the Atlanta Braves, where they managed to win the opener but lost the subsequent two games, the Angels find themselves at 53-71 for the season. The team is looking for any spark as the season winds down, with only a few weeks left on the schedule.
Fulmer, who has made 30 appearances this season, will take the mound for the Angels. Transitioning from a reliever to a starter, he has only one quality start to his name, allowing 56 hits across 70.1 innings. He has recorded 67 strikeouts and issued 32 walks, while giving up 10 home runs. His recent outing saw him struggle against the Blue Jays, where he lasted just three innings, conceding five hits and five runs in a 6-1 defeat.
Injury Report: Center fielder Mike Trout, along with relief pitchers Adam Cimber and Andrew Wantz, are sidelined.
Royals Bank on Lugo’s All-Star Form
The Kansas City Royals are on a high after sweeping the Reds, showcasing their offensive and defensive prowess over the weekend. The Royals’ pitching staff was impressive, allowing a mere three runs throughout the series while their batters exploded for 26 runs. Dairon Blanco played a pivotal role, hitting a home run in the finale, leading to an 8-1 victory.
On Monday night, the Royals will entrust All-Star Seth Lugo with the start. Lugo boasts a 13-7 record and has an ERA of 3.04 over 25 starts this season. With 17 quality starts under his belt, he has allowed 135 hits in 159.2 innings pitched, striking out 135 and walking 39, while giving up 14 home runs. Despite a recent rough outing against the Twins, Lugo remains a consistent performer for the Royals.
Best Bets for Angels vs. Royals
The Royals are entering this game with momentum, having displayed both offensive firepower and solid pitching in their recent sweep. With 26 runs scored and only three allowed, they have set a high bar for their performance. Lugo’s statistics highlight his effectiveness, even with one recent setback against the Twins. Conversely, the Angels are dealing with injuries and a lack of consistency in their pitching staff. Fulmer’s transition to a starting role has not yielded significant results, and the Angels have struggled in his last few starts. Furthermore, the Royals have performed well against the Angels this season, winning three of the four matchups.
Bet on Kansas City to win this matchup.
