Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction: Will the Royals' Bats Get Hot Against Jameson Taillon?
Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction: Will the Royals' Bats Get Hot Against Jameson Taillon?
Don't look now, but since the end of July, the Kansas City Royals have been one of baseball's hottest offenses. Over their last 15 games, they rank second in wRC+ (135), second in OBP (.357), have the highest batting average (.316), the most steals (19), and a 17.6 strikeout percentage, the lowest in the league. This is an offense that has been clicking on all cylinders.
Cubs vs. Royals Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: August 18, 2023
- Time: 2:20 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV
Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction
The play I'm targeting is the Royals F7 inning team total over 2.5 runs. The pitcher they are facing, Jameson Taillon, has an ERA line set at 2.5 that is juiced to the over, and when you take into consideration that he has only pitched past the sixth inning in two out of 21 starts this season, we are getting some solid value at this price.
Kansas City has scored 3+ runs in the F7 innings in 11 out of 15 games, and they've done so against guys like Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and Kodai Senga. Taillon has been much better as of late compared to the way he pitched earlier in the year, but he's coming off his worst start of the season, where he allowed eight earned runs in just three innings pitched against the Toronto Blue Jays and carries a 6.17 ERA at Wrigley Field.
He will be looking to deliver a bounce-back performance today, but he may have trouble doing so against a red-hot Kansas City offense. Hoping the bats stay hot in Chicago and taking the Royal's F7 inning team total over 2.5.
Chicago Cubs vs. Kansas City Royals Pick
Kansas City Royals Team Total -125 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds