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The 43-45 Texas Rangers travel to Kansas City to take on the 44-43 Royals in the first game of a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri tonight. The first pitch at Kauffman Stadium is scheduled to be thrown at 8:15 PM ET.
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On the MLB betting board, the KC/Tex opener has the host Royals as -115 to -130 moneyline favorite over the Rangers at the sportsbooks we track. The O/U line is on most boards at 9 runs with a few betting sites offering up a 9.5 total line.
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In their last game before the All Star break the Rangers lost to the L.A. Angels 3-0. In the game the Rangers were held scoreless on only two hits and the Angels scored three runs on five hits.
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In their last game before the All Star break the Royals lost to the L.A. Dodgers 5-2. In the game the Royals scored two runs on six hits and the Dodgers scored five runs also on six hits.
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This season the Rangers rank 8th in the Majors in runs scored and 15th in team ERA.
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The Royals rank 27th in the Majors in runs scored and 14th in team ERA.
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<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
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<p>
Texas: Martin Perez (4-6, 4.60 ERA)<br />
Kansas City: Jason Hammel (4-8, 5.04 ERA)
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<p>
Martin Perez goes for the Rangers tonight and in his last start he gave up two earned runs in five innings in a 7-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The Rangers had won his previous three starts where he had gone 16 innings and given up nine earned runs and they gave him 27 runs of support. This will be Perez’s first start of the season against the Royals and in two career starts against them he is 0-0 with an ERA of only 1.42. The Rangers have only won one of his last five road starts and they have lost five of his last six starts against a team with a winning record.
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Jason Hammel gets the starting nod for the Royals and in his last outing he gave up three earned runs in six innings in a 4-1 loss to the L.A. Dodgers. The Royals have lost his last three starts where he has gone 16 innings and given up 11 earned runs. Hammel faced the Rangers early in the season going only three innings and giving up three earned runs in a 5-2 Kansas City loss. In seven career appearances, including five starts, against the Rangers Hammel is 1-3 with an ERA of 4.50. The Royals are only 4-13 in his last 17 starts overall and they have lost eight of his last 11 home starts.
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
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<p>
The Rangers are 13-3 in their last 16 games against the Royals.
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In the last 51 games between these teams the Under record is 31-15-5.
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In the last 31 games between these teams in Kansas City the Under record is 21-7-3.
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This season the Royals are 24-19 at home and the Rangers are 18-25 on the road.
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<h2>
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records<br />
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Texas Rangers: 43-45 SU / O/U 41-45 / Run Line W/L 51-37<br />
Kansas City Royals: 44-43 SU / O/U 40-42 / Run Line W/L 46-41
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<h2>
Texas at Kansas City Key Betting Trends<br />
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<li>
TEX is 1-4 in their last 5 road games
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<li>
TEX is 1-4 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record
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TEX has an Under record of 3-0-1 in their last 4 games
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KC is 6-2 in their last 8 home games
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KC is 5-2 in their last 7 games vs. a left-handed starter
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<li>
KC has an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 home games
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<h3>
Key Player Injuries<br />
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<b>RANGERS</b><br />
[P] 03/31/2017 - Jake Diekman 60-day DL (02/14) ( Intestinal )<br />
[SS] 04/03/2017 - Hanser Alberto 60-day DL (03/30) ( Shoulder )<br />
[P] 06/01/2017 - Chi Chi Gonzalez 60-day DL (03/30) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 05/26/2017 - A.J. Griffin 60-day DL (05/27) ( Ribs )
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ROYALS<br />
[RF] 06/02/2017 - Paulo Orlando 60-day DL (06/01) ( Shin )<br />
[P] 07/01/2017 - Matt Strahm 10-day DL (07/01) ( Knee )<br />
[P] 06/26/2017 - Nathan Karns 60-day DL (05/21) ( Arm )<br />
[C] 07/12/2017 - Salvador Perez probable Friday vs. Texas Rangers ( Hand )
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