Kansas City Royals vs Baltimore Orioles Picks, Predictions & Odds

Mar 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) is greeted by catcher Adley Rutschman (35) after the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY SportsThe Kansas City Royals face the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday afternoon in the rubber-match of a three-game setCorbin Burnes (BAL) and Cole Ragans (KC) both get their second starts of the seasonSee the Royals vs Orioles odds, picks, and predictions

Looking to win their second series in as many tries this season, the Baltimore Orioles (3-2, 3-2 home, 3-2 O/U) face the Kansas City Royals (2-3, 1-1 away, 2-3 O/U) on Wednesday afternoon at Camden Yards. First pitch is slated for 1:10 pm ET.

Both teams have their Opening Day starters back on the mound on five days’ rest, and oddsmakers suggest that gives the Orioles a sizable advantage.

Kansas City Royals vs Baltimore Orioles Odds

The Orioles are listed as -180 moneyline favorites in Wednesday’s MLB odds with the Royals coming back as +150 road underdogs.

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After winning two of three from the LA Angels in their opening series of the 2024 season, the Orioles won the opener against the Royals 6-4 on Monday thanks to a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth from second baseman Jordan Westburg.

But the Royals answered back yesterday with a 4-1 victory behind a dominant seven-inning outing from Alec Marsh (one run on two hits and a walk with five Ks).

Royals vs Orioles Starting Pitchers

The teams are back to the top of their rotations on Wednesday afternoon. For the Orioles, that means 2021 NL Cy Young-winner Corbin Burnes toes the rubber. After being acquired from Milwaukee this offseason, Burnes was nothing short of phenomenal in his Baltimore debut against the Angels. The three-time All-Star gave up just one run on one hit (a first inning home run to Mike Trout) while striking out 11 hitters over six innings in an 11-3 Baltimore rout.

Burnes only needed 82 pitches to get through six innings, throwing 56 strikes and just 26 balls without walking a batter.

Cole Ragans vs Corbin Burnes

RagansVSBurnes

 The Orioles counter with talented youngster Cole Ragans. The 26-year-old lefty was solid in his first start of the season, giving up two runs on five hits over six innings with nine strikeouts in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota.

Ragans made 12 starts for the Royals last year after being acquired from Texas, where he was in the bullpen. His stats took a dramatic turn for the better as soon as he put on a KC uniform. Ragans had an ugly 5.92 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 24.1 innings with the Rangers, but in 12 starts with the Royals, posted a 2.64 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with a 5-2 win/loss record for a KC team that finished with the second-worst record in the majors at 56-106.

The Oriole hitters have very little experience against Ragans. The Baltimore roster has just seven total at-bats against the 26-year-old and catcher Adley Rutschman has the only hit.

There’s more (but not substantial) history between Burnes and the KC lineup, and it doesn’t bode well for the Royals. In 50 total at-bats, KC hitters are slashing just .140/.189/.140 against the new Baltimore ace. All seven of their hits have been singles, and they have 17 strikeouts with just three walks.

Both Burnes and Ragans are listed with strikeout over/unders of 6.5 in today’s MLB player props but Burnes is a -115 favorite to hit the over while Ragans is plus-money to record at least seven Ks.

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Royals vs Orioles Prediction

On Opening Day, I had no issue backing Burnes and the Orioles as -175 chalk against the Angels, and I’m going right back to the well on Wednesday. Barring injury, Burnes is going to be near the top of the Cy Young odds all season, and I don’t expect the light-hitting Royals to give him much trouble on Wednesday.

Ragans is throwing heat (96.6 average fastball velocity last season) and certainly has the talent to shutdown any lineup on any given day. But he’s still struggling with his control (three walks on Opening Day) and that’s going keep him from going too deep into the game against a potent and patient Baltimore lineup.

KC vs BAL pick: Orioles moneyline (-180) – two units

Sascha Paruk’s 2024 MLB betting record: 5-0 (+4.12 units)

All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.

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