Let’s start the week with some MLB wagering. Going in a different direction leads us to the Reds edging the Royals this Monday night. Now, while the Reds are four below .500, the Royals are abysmal with an 18-47 mark. Furthermore, the Royals are still favored somehow at home. It has been one wild 2023 MLB season as Cincinnati tries to climb back to .500. VegasBetting goes for it with the Reds vs Royals Betting Picks.
Let’s look at a game featuring teams from two of the worst divisions in baseball.
This Monday intereleague clash takes some fun twists and turns because of how bad some of the numbers are. When one looks at the offenses, Cincinnati keeps slowly improving. The Reds approach five runs a game which is not bad. However, both teams are allowing 5.2 runs per game. That is not so good. Yet, the Reds vs Royals picks show the Royals as a very slight favorite on the moneyline.
Bluntly, this may be because Zack Greinke is pitching for Kansas City. The 39-year-old is not the pitcher he once was and gives up some runs. Temperatures expect to be warm which will help the offenses. So, Kauffman Stadium can see some runs scored. Kansas City has a mere nine wins on the season at home with 23 losses. MLB Online Betting Odds spotlight the Reds here as they range from EVEN to potentially as good as +110.
The Royals cannot even muster four runs a game most nights. On the other hand, with Luke Weaver pitching, all bets may be off. He did perform well against lesser teams but recently got lit up by the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. So maybe, there is some good news there. The hope is that his form is decent. Do not expect Weaver to go more than six innings. He is just not that kind of pitcher.
Bettors know there is risk with the BetOnline online Sportsbook review, and their moneyline is only +104 for the Rangers. Fortunately, MyBookie carries this at +107 with the possibility this moves to +110. Yes, Greinke’s reputation somehow carries and resonates. It’s a mystery and yet here we are. Cincinnati is improving and playing better baseball. Kansas City is meanwhile riding the basement once again in the American League Central.
Naturally, the Reds vs Royals Betting Picks go dead red on Monday night. It does not matter how bad Cincinnati is on the road with their 14-17 record away from home. That is because like we mentioned, Kansas City is so much worse at home. It is a near disaster. Again, nine home wins and losing on the moneyline and runlines on a very regular basis. Overall, Kansas City has now lost six straight contests.
As always, risk favors the fortunate. Even though, Kansas City has the edge on matchup. Zack Greinke is not quite himself at times. He has allowed 11 home runs in just 66+ innings pitched. Combine that with Luke Weaver yielding 12 home runs in less than 48 innings and you have the recipe for some extra options err wagers. Also, understand that both bullpens force the respective ERA’s up over five and again that is not good.
Numbers like these lead to a number of possibilities. Again, there is this feeling that if Kansas City is going to score a few runs, it may be on Monday night. Inevitably, Cincinnati could get caught taking the Royals a little lightly early. That offers some encouragement. The Reds ultimately should win. However, this appears to be far more of a struggle than it should be.
When looking at the records, the Reds laying at this price is still a little surprising. Heading into Monday night, though, some were again wondering when does this start trending in the wrong way. Sadly for us, there is that runline which comes in around -180. Ouch!. Alternate wagers are possible. However, let’s take that Cincinnati moneyline and the game Over at a tidy nine runs. Double digits feels more and more likely Monday night.
Reds vs Royals Betting Picks considers some other bets too. Some see those home run rates from the starting pitchers along with the bullpens and their ability to combust. If one sees some anytime home run props on players, consider Spencer Steer and Jonathan India as potential. On the Royals side, we are looking more towards Salvador Perez and especially Bobby Witt. Both of them have 10+ home runs in the early going.
Both bullpens rank in the bottom half when it comes to home runs. Cincinnati is 12th in home runs allowed to opponents while Kansas City ranks 13th. These are teams that often give up a good deal of hits and the long ball often follows. That is why we are bullish on home runs.
Projections love a the idea of the NRFI to not hit. These teams are going to score runs. If not Cincinnati on Greinke then Weaver is inevitably going to trip up in the first inning. Hopefully that gets the run machines rolling on a Monday night. Lastly, do not forget about the over on Kansas City runs. That projects to be as low as 3.5 or 4 given the lack of support for Greinke.
The MLB Online Betting Sites do not like the strikeouts. However, take the Under than go over on any home run props that may pop up closer to gametime.
