Published Mar 16, 11:33pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Mar 16, 11:33pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Mar 16, 11:33pm ET
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| Kansas City Royals | +110 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | -130 |
Roki Sasaki struggled as a rookie, particularly with his control. Then he had a shoulder issue. However, he was very effective in the playoffs, posting a 0.84 ERA in 10.2 innings, helping the Dodgers to their World Series win.
This spring, he has made 2 starts and surrendered 7 earned runs in 3.1 innings. He's walked 5 and struck out 5.
LA doesn't put much stock in spring performances, but Sasaki needs to show he can throw consistent strikes more than anything else.
At the plate, Teoscar Hernandez has been tearing the cover off the ball batting .459 with a 1.298 OPS, and 3 home runs. Max Muncy is at .345 with a 1.061 OPS, and 3 homers. James Tibbs is batting .326 with 3 homers. And Santiago Espinal is hitting .452 with a 1.229 OPS.
Their big free agent acquisition over the winter, Kyle Tucker, is hitting .235, but has a 1.046 OPS, and 2 homers.
Veteran lefty Bailey Falter has been a reasonably reliable backend starter in his career. Not spectacular, not terrible, but functional. He has bounced around from the Phillies to the Pirates, to the Royals.
This spring, he is fighting for a roster spot and has an 8.10 ERA in 3 starts. He has thrown 6.2 innings, allowed 13 hits, 6 earned runs, walked 1, and struck out 3.
If Falter, well, falters, his roster spot could be in jeopardy.
At the plate, catcher Luca Tresh is hitting .300 with a 1.164 OPS and 3 home runs.
Gavin Cross is batting .286 with 2 homers.
Veteran Jonathan India is hitting .333 with a homer. Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is away at the WBC.
Falter needs to pitch well and he knows it. Sasaki has been struggling, but is unlikely to be in the game for more than 2-3 innings. Although the Royals' key players are still away at the WBC, they should be able to score against Sasaki. Falter will treat this is a regular season performance and should help the Royals take the win.
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Kansas City Royals +110
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