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The 55-42 Texas Rangers losers of eight of their last nine will try to turn it around tonight in Missouri when they battle the 48-47 Kansas City Royals. The opening pitch of this match at Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 PM E on July 23, 2016.
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In Game 1 of this three game series yesterday the Royals beat the Rangers 3-1 scoring their three runs on eight hits while the slumping Rangers scored just one run on the five hits they managed off of the Royals pitching.
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Texas is reeling losing eight of their last nine games including their last four. They have seen their lead in the AL West shrink to only 2.5 games over the Houston Astros. While Texas has a solid lineup ranking 7th in runs scored they only rank 24th in team ERA. In their four-game skid they have given up 27 runs.
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Kansas City snapped their two-game losing streak in their last game and they sit in 3rd place in the AL Central eight games back of the Cleveland Indians. The Royals are led by their pitching, which ranks a respectable 13th in the Majors in team ERA while they only rank 26th in runs scored.
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<h2>
Pitching Match Up<br />
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Texas: Cole Hamels (10-2, 3.00 ERA)<br />
Kansas City: Yordano Ventura (6-7, 4.97 ERA)
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<p>
Cole Hamels goes for the Rangers tonight and in his last outing he was solid not giving up any earned runs in eight innings in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. The Rangers have won seven of his last eight starts including his last two. Tonight will be Hamels first career start against the Royals in Kansas City. The Rangers are 4-1 in Hamels' last 5 road starts.
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Yordano Ventura gets the starting nod for the Royals and in his last outing he gave up two earned runs in seven innings in a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The Royals have lost his last four starts and in that span he has given up 16 earned runs in 21 innings of work. The Royals are 24-9 in Ventura’s last 33 home starts and they have won seven of their last eight games with him on the hill facing a team that has a winning record.
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<h2>
Betting Angles<br />
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<li>
The Royals are 6-2 in their last 8 home games against the Rangers.
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In the last 27 games between these teams the Under record is 17-5-5.
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In the last 29 games between these teams in Kansas City the Under record is 20-6-3.
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This season the Royals are 31-15 at home and the Rangers are 26-27 on the road.
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<h2>
STRAIGHT UP / OVER/UNDER / RUN LINE RECORDS<br />
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Texas Rangers: 50-38 SU / O/U 47-36 / Run Line W/L 45-43<br />
Kansas City Royals: 44-45 SU / O/U 40-40 / Run Line W/L 40-49
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<h2>
Texas at Kansas City Key Betting Trends<br />
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<ul>
<li>
TEX is 3-13 in their last 16 overall.
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TEX is e 0-4 in their last 4 road games.
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TEX has an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
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KC is 38-15 in their last 53 home games.
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KC is 20-8 in their last 28 games vs. a left-handed starter.
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KC has an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
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<h2>
Key Player Injuries<br />
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<b>RANGERS</b><br />
[RF] 04/04/2016 - Josh Hamilton 60-day DL (3/25) ( Knee )<br />
[P] 06/26/2016 - Colby Lewis 60-day DL (6/22) ( Back )<br />
[P] 06/22/2016 - Derek Holland 60-day DL (6/21) ( Shoulder )<br />
[P] 05/28/2016 - Tanner Scheppers 60-day DL (3/25) ( Knee )<br />
[CF] 05/24/2016 - Drew Stubbs 60-day DL (5/23) ( Toe )<br />
[C] 07/07/2016 - Bryan Holaday 60-day DL (7/5) ( Thumb )<br />
[DH] 07/20/2016 - Prince Fielder 15-day DL (7/19) ( Neck )<br />
[RF] 07/20/2016 - Shin-Soo Choo 15-day DL (7/20) ( Back )
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<b>ROYALS</b><br />
[P] 07/19/2016 - Kris Medlen 60-day DL (5/11) ( Shoulder )<br />
[CF] 06/29/2016 - Lorenzo Cain 15-day DL (6/29) ( Hamstring )<br />
[3B] 05/26/2016 - Mike Moustakas 60-day DL (5/23); out for season ( Knee )<br />
[P] 03/31/2016 - Jason Vargas 60-day DL (3/15) ( Elbow )<br />
[P] 04/10/2016 - Mike Minor 60-day DL (3/15) ( Shoulder )<br />
[P] 04/04/2016 - Tim Collins 60-day DL; out for season ( Elbow )
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