Kansas City Royals vs Los Angeles Angels Picks and Predictions August 21st 2024

Michael Lorenzen looks to lead Royals to series win vs. Angels

At 8:10 PM ET, the Angels and Royals square off in an AL matchup. This one is being played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, and the Royals are the heavy favorites on the money line, with their odds sitting at -195. The Angels are +162 on the money line, and they are 5th in the AL West with a record of 54-72.

Wednesday’s forecast in Kansas City calls for clear skies and temperatures in the mid-80s. Johnny Cueto will start for the Angels, while the Royals are going with Michael Lorenzen.

Los Angeles vs. Kansas City Key Information

• Teams: Angels at Royals
• Where: Kauffman Stadium Kansas City
• Date: Wednesday, August 21st
• Betting Odds KC -195 | LAA +162 O/U 9.5

The Angels Can Win If…

Johnny Cueto is coming off a season in which he made 10 starts and 13 appearances for the Marlins. His record was 1-4, and his ERA finished at 6.02. Cueto’s WHIP for the season was 1.26, and he finished with one quality start. His FIP for the season was 7.02, and he allowed a total of 17 home runs. Cueto’s strikeout-to-walk ratio for the season was 2.6, and he averaged 1.2 walks per game. On the season, Cueto’s opponents had an OPS of .849, and his slugging percentage allowed was .537.

The Angels offense has been one of the worst in the league this season, averaging just 4 runs per game, which is 25th in the league. At home, they have been even worse, averaging just 3.9 runs per game. As a team, the Angels are batting .235, which is 16th in the league, and their team on-base percentage of .306 is also below average.

Shortstop Zach Neto comes into the game as the team’s leading home run hitter and RBI man, with 19 homers and 63 RBIs. However, he is batting just .262 for the season and has gone 7/33 in his last eight games. Right fielder Jo Adell is also struggling with a batting average of just .207. Adell has gone deep 18 times this season, which is 2nd on the team.

• The Angels are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Angels are 2-3 vs. the run line.
• Los Angeles has an over/under record of 4-5-1 in their last ten games.
• The Angels have an average of 3.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Angels are 6-4
• Looking back across the Angels last five games as the favorite, they are 1-4
• Los Angeles has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Angels have averaged 5.0 runs per game on offense

The Royals Can Win If…

Michael Lorenzen will be looking to build off his last outing, where he picked up the win out of the bullpen. In that outing vs. the Reds, he went 5 2/3 innings and gave up just one earned run. Looking at his overall numbers, Lorenzen has made 21 starts and eight of them have been quality starts. This season, he has a record of 6-6 and an ERA of 3.68. Opposing batters are hitting .220 off Lorenzen this season. Overall, he has a WHIP of 1.28 and is averaging 6.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

So far this season, the Royals are the 6th highest-scoring team in the MLB, averaging 4.9 runs per game. They have been even better at home, putting up 5.3 runs per contest. Overall, they are batting .257 as a team (4th) and are also near the top of the league in terms of avoiding strikeouts. Kansas City’s team on-base percentage is 10th in the league, and they are 8th in slugging.

Bobby Witt Jr. has been on a tear of late, going 13/31 in his last eight games with three homers. For the season, he is batting .352 with 25 home runs and 92 RBIs. Vinnie Pasquantino is also a big power threat in the lineup, as he has gone deep 18 times and is batting .268.

• The Royals are 6-4 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Royals are 4-1 vs. the run line.
• Kansas City has an over/under record of 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
• The Royals have an average of 7.6 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Royals are 7-3
• Looking back across the Royals last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Kansas City has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Royals have averaged 6.2 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Our lean for an over/under pick would be to take the over, as this is projected to be the 3rd highest-scoring game of the day. For a money-line pick, we would be leaning toward the Angels to come out on top. Los Angeles has the 3rd best team runs scored projection, and Johnny Cueto has the lowest hits allowed projection among today’s starters.

The Kansas City Royals are set to chase their first home-series victory in a month when they take on the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. This matchup is crucial for Kansas City as they seek to build momentum in the final stretch of the season.

Royals’ Recent Struggles at Home

The Royals have faced challenges at Kauffman Stadium, with their last home-series win coming against the Chicago White Sox in a sweep from July 19-21. However, a renewed push in August, bolstered by trade-deadline acquisitions, has given the team fresh hope.

Impact of Trade Acquisitions

Kansas City’s playoff ambitions received a significant boost with the addition of right-hander Michael Lorenzen and infielder Paul DeJong. Lorenzen has quickly proven his worth, delivering strong performances in two of his three starts since joining the Royals. On the offensive side, DeJong has added power to the lineup, smashing three home runs since his arrival.

Bullpen Reinforcements and Their Impact

The Royals have also strengthened their bullpen, acquiring Hunter Harvey and Lucas Erceg. Erceg, in particular, has been a standout, tossing 9 1/3 scoreless innings and stranding all 11 inherited runners. His ability to handle high-leverage situations—recording six holds and two saves in just eight appearances—has been a critical asset for the Royals.

General Manager J.J. Picollo praised Erceg’s contributions, stating, “To ask one-plus (innings) the way we have and for him to respond the way he has is really incredible.”

On the other hand, Harvey has had mixed results before landing on the injured list with mid-back tightness. Despite his inconsistency, Harvey managed two holds and a save. Fortunately, he is showing signs of recovery and could return as soon as Friday.

“We got good news on Hunter. He’s making progress, and his symptoms are resolving. He’s on track to get back,” Picollo shared, signaling optimism for Harvey’s return.

The Return of John Schreiber

Adding to the Royals’ bullpen strength is the recent activation of John Schreiber, who made an immediate impact by securing the save in Kansas City’s 5-3 win over the Angels on Monday. Schreiber’s return is timely, as he was one of the team’s most consistent relievers earlier in the season.

Michael Lorenzen Takes the Mound

All eyes will be on Michael Lorenzen as he takes the mound for the Royals on Wednesday. Lorenzen, who has a 6-6 record with a 3.68 ERA, has been effective in two of his last three starts, including a win against Cincinnati where he allowed just one run over 5 2/3 innings.

However, Lorenzen’s track record against the Angels suggests a challenging outing. He holds a 5.13 ERA in eight career appearances (four starts) against Los Angeles. In his last encounter with the Angels on July 10, he allowed five runs over five innings while pitching for the Rangers.

Angels’ Perspective: Johnny Cueto Returns

For the Angels, veteran pitcher Johnny Cueto will make his season debut. The 38-year-old, a key figure in Kansas City’s 2015 World Series triumph, is set to return to the familiar mound at Kauffman Stadium. Cueto, who has been sharpening his skills in Triple-A Salt Lake City with a 3-0 record in four starts, brings a wealth of experience to the game.

“He can pitch,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He may not be the Johnny Cueto of five, six, seven, eight years ago, but he has knowledge and wisdom.”

Cueto’s history against the Royals is solid, with a 3.43 ERA in seven career starts. His last appearance against Kansas City was on September 1, 2022, where he allowed just one run over 5 1/3 innings while pitching for the White Sox.

Angels’ Offense Looks to Build Momentum

The Angels’ offense showed signs of life in their 9-5 victory over the Royals on Tuesday, marking their highest run total since August 8. With 11 hits in that game, the Angels are hoping to carry this offensive momentum into Wednesday’s matchup.

“It’s nice when you score runs,” Washington remarked. “We’ve been having trouble doing it. I hope we can continue.”

Conclusion: A Pivotal Game for Both Teams

Wednesday’s game is a pivotal moment for both the Royals and the Angels. Kansas City will rely on Lorenzen’s arm and a revitalized bullpen to secure a much-needed series win at home, while the Angels look to Cueto’s experience and their resurgent offense to tip the scales in their favor. The outcome of this game could set the tone for both teams as they head into the final weeks of the season.

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