MLB Baseball
2011-04-22 - Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers
A Sports Betting Pick by Goober
Baseball: United States: MLB 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011 - First Pitch 8:05 PM ET
The surprising Kansas City Royals (12-7) travel to Arlington to play the Texas Rangers (11-7) on Friday night. Both of these teams have done most of their damage at home. The Royals are 9-5 at home and only 3-2 on the road. The Rangers are 7-2 at home and 4-5 on the road.
Both teams also have been scoring at a high rate. The Royals are scoring more than 5 runs per game so far. They do it without much power (only 12 HRs) but the highest team batting average in the American League so far at .269.
The Rangers don't hit nearly as well for average at .263 but have hit for more power with 22 HRs. Texas is also scoring 5 runs per game.
Jeff Francis (KC) and Derek Holland (TEX) will be the pitchers that try to stop these offenses tonight. They may not have much luck.
Francis is having a decent year with a 3.00 ERA but no wins so far. He only has 1 appearance lifetime against Texas that saw him give up 5 runs in less than 6 innings. The lefty may struggle with the Rangers right-handed power hitters.
Holland is 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA so far in 3 starts. His only loss was in Yankee Stadium last weekend. In his only home start so far this season he allowed 3 runs in 6 innings to Seattle. Holland has only 2 appearances against Kansas City and has allowed 5 runs in less than 6 innings.
There should be lots of runs in store for this game. Both teams have great offenses and I don't think either pitcher will have a great night. It also looks like the wind will be strong in Arlington, which normally means lots of runs. The Rangers should win this game, but I will go with more than 9 runs to be scored.
The Pick :
Texas 7, Kansas City 5
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take OVER 9 runs in this game @ 2.02 on Pinnacle.
