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On Friday, the San Francisco Giants will play their first regular-season game at Kauffman Field in over a decade. As the late-season clash approaches, the Royals and Giants find themselves in divergent positions.
The Kansas City Royals appear ready to make their first postseason appearance in nine seasons. Meanwhile, it looks like San Francisco will have to return to the drawing board yet again this offseason.
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"Despite a 90% playoff chance, the #Royals will want to improve offensively as they prepare to host the Giants in their last home game stretch. Presented by @MOFInsurance with @JohnyJ_15" - Sports Radio 810 WHB
Giants vs Royals recent form and records
With a 74-79 record, the Giants stand some seventeen games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. With a 4-6 record in their last 10 games, San Francisco also sits 11 games back of the third and final NL Wild Card slot, meaning that the club will miss the postseason for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
For Kansas City, things are significantly brighter. At 82-71, KC holds the second AL Wild Card spot, just behind the Baltimore Orioles. Also 4-6 over their past 10 fixtures, the Royals are set to make the playoffs for the first time since their World Series title in 2015.
Players to Watch
Starting Pitchers
SFG: Mason Black (0-4, 7.07 ERA) vs KC: Michael Wacha (13-7, 3.29 ERA)
Black has a 1.643 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 24 K in 28 IP.
Last Start: Loss, 4 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K vs SD
Career vs KC: N/A
Wacha has a 1.192 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 138 K in 156 IP.
Last Start: Win, 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K vs PIT
Career vs SFG: 3-0 1.80 ERA (50 IP, 10 ER) 4 HR in nine games
Must-Watch Hitters
San Francisco
Over the past week, Michael Conforto has hit .353/.333/.706 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs. Having logged a pair of homers and five RBIs in his team's recent series against the Baltimore Orioles, Conforto's 62 RBIs on the season are his most since 2019.
"Kevin Brown sounded absolutely defeated when Michael Conforto drilled this two-run HR." - Ryan Garcia
Although outfielder Mike Yastrzemski is just six for his last 37 at-bats, the 34-year-old has made it count. Of those six hits, Yastrzemski has logged 4 home runs and 8 RBIs for himself.
In addition to posting his highest batting average in half of a decade, Matt Chapman is also within spitting distance of setting a career figure in hits. Additionally, the third baseman owns 4 home runs and 11 RBIs in his last 20 games.
Kansas City
Veteran catcher Salvador Perez continues to prove productive. Over the past two weeks, the 34-year-old has hit .311/.373/.444 with 2 home runs, 9 RBIs, and a team-best 14 hits. In his career, Perez has hit .255 with 3 homers and 9 RBIs in 12 career games against San Francisco.
"434 feet, 110.6 MPH. Salvador Perez CRUSHED this pitch" - MLB
Though he has hit a mediocre .234 over his last 12 games, Bobby Witt Jr. continues to produce for KC. Spurred on by a homer and 5 RBIs in his team's recent series against the Detroit Tigers, Witt Jr. has 2 homers and 11 RBIs in his last 12 games.
Veteran first baseman Yuli Gurriel appears to have been a good pickup for the Royals. Since joining the club, Gurriel has gone 6-for-11. Moreover, the Cuban is a .265 hitter in his career against the Giants.
Giants vs Royals baseball betting odds
Giants vs Royals expert picks and game prediction
Pitching has come to be invaluable as the Royals continue their push for the postseason. Over the past two weeks, KC arms have amassed a combined 2.82 ERA, which ranks 7th in MLB over that period. Although the team has offensively stagnated, their pitching has kept them afloat.
Mason Black, set to start for the Giants, has not earned a win yet. Whereas Michael Wacha has performed very well against San Francisco. Expect KC's postseason-hopeful aspirations to propel them through the series opener.
Run Line: -1.5 +110
Total Runs: U 8.5 -110
Prediction: Royals W, 3-2
