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Zach Thompson gives you a preview, prediction and pick for Wednesday\u2019s game between the Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals.<\/p>\n
The Royals host the Angels in the second game of their three-game set on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City is trying to hang in the AL Wild Card race but has dropped three of their last four, including the first game in this series. Can they bounce back on Wednesday? Let\u2019s take a look at what to expect in this Wednesday night matchup, which starts at 7:40 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n
The Angels won the first game of this series on Tuesday, 5-1. The victory improved their record to 65-73 and dropped the Royals to 70-68. Mitch Farris pitched well in that win and Jo Adell blasted a two-run homer to help provide the offense. Even after the loss, the Royals are just 2.5 games out of the third AL Wild Card spot, currently held by the Rays, who are also in action on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Since their record is five games better and they are at home, the Royals are -170 favorites, with the run total at nine. There are some potential storms in the area, but if the rain holds off, the temperatures are forecast to be in the 70s with the wind blowing in from left field. Let\u2019s preview this Wednesday\u2019s matchup with the help of some odds and lines on DraftKings Sportsbook<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n One of the key advantages for the Royals in this contest is the starting pitchers taking the mound. They\u2019ll give the ball to Ryan Bergert, who came over from the Padres at the trade deadline, while the Angels will go with a rookie for a second straight game, calling up Caden Dana.<\/p>\n I highlighted Bergert in my MLB DFS picks for the day<\/a> as a great value option as long as the rain cooperates. He has given up two runs or fewer in each of his five starts since the trade, going 1-1 with a 2.54 ERA and 4.05 FIP. He lost his debut to the Red Sox and had three straight no-decisions before beating the White Sox in his most recent start. He worked a season-high six innings in that outing, and he continues to do a great job limiting damage even though his strikeout rate isn\u2019t dominant.<\/p>\n On the other side, Dana is only 21 and doesn\u2019t seem quite ready for primetime yet. He made 18 starts at Triple-A with a 5.93 ERA and 5.91 FIP, giving up 84 hits and 14 homers in 82 innings. He has pitched six innings this year in the majors, giving up five runs, five walks, seven hits and two homers. He hasn\u2019t pitched in the majors since May 24, but in his five Triple-A starts in August, he had a 6.00 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.<\/p>\n The Angels had to scratch Mike Trout from their lineup on Tuesday due to a skin infection, and he is not in the order on Wednesday either. The Angels\u2019 offense has the highest K% in the majors over the last month and the second-lowest team batting average at just .213. They\u2019re averaging 4.0 runs per game over that span since they do have some power, but Bergert should be able to put together another solid outing.<\/p>\n The Royals\u2019 offense has also been struggling overall, especially over the last two weeks. There have been a few notable exceptions, though, with Bobby Witt Jr. and Mike Yastrzemski both producing strong numbers from the top of the lineup. Kansas City\u2019s lineup will also get a boost from the return of top prospect Jac Caglianone, who was reinstated from the injured list on Monday and is in the lineup Wednesday for the first time since July 26.<\/p>\n Both teams will go with young righties to try and keep their opponents\u2019 lineup struggling, but Bergert is much more proven than Dana, who has long-term upside but is being pressed into service earlier than he ideally would with Victor Mederos (shoulder) and Tyler Anderson (oblique) both out.<\/p>\nAngels vs. Royals prediction, preview<\/h2>\n
Angels vs. Royals pick, best bet<\/h2>\n
Best Bet: Royals -1.5 (+119)<\/a><\/h3>\n