Royals-Rays Odds Preview

The Kansas City Royals will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Sunday when they take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The Royals will give the ball to starter Brian Bannister in this one. Righthander Bannister is 6-7 this season with a 3.72 ERA. The Rays will counter Bannister with ace James Shields. Righthander Shields has a 3.88 ERA to go along with a 6-7 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 300-moneyline favorites versus the Royals, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Rays scored four runs in the eighth inning and secured a second straight win with a 7-1 drubbing of the Royals on Saturday, as -320 favorites. That game's eight runs went UNDER the day's posted over/under (10). Carl Crawford led the Rays with a two-run homer, and Jason Bartlett also drove in a pair of runs. Jeff Niemann allowed just four hits and one run over eight innings for his 10th victory. David DeJesus homered for the Royals, who were +270 underdogs. Bruce Chen gave up five hits and three runs over 6 2-3 innings of work. Current streak: Kansas City has lost 4 straight games. Tampa Bay has won 2 straight games. Team records: Kansas City: 40-63 SU Tampa Bay: 57-47 SU Kansas City most recently: When playing on Sunday are 7-3 Before playing Tampa Bay are 0-10 After playing Tampa Bay are 2-8 After a loss are 2-8 Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Sunday are 5-5 Before playing Kansas City are 7-3 After playing Kansas City are 7-3 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: Kansas City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road Kansas City is 3-15 SU in its last 18 games Kansas City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay Kansas City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Kansas City Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kansas City Tampa Bay is 17-5 SU in its last 22 games at home Next up: Tampa Bay home to Kansas City, Monday, August 3