BALTIMORE vs. KANSAS CITY 8/31/2018 MLB Odds, Pick & Preview

The Kansas City Royals have answered a five-game losing skid by erupting for 32 runs en route to winning four of their last five contests. The Royals (42-91) hope their bats remain hot on Friday as they play the opener of a three-game series versus the visiting Baltimore Orioles (40-94) in a matchup of the two worst teams in the majors.

Adalberto Mondesi highlighted a four-RBI performance by homering for the second straight game as Kansas City recorded an abbreviated two-game sweep of Detroit with a 9-2 romp on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has collected multi-hit efforts in each of his last three contests with five RBIs and as many runs scored. The Orioles, who took two of three from the Royals in May, answered an eight-game losing skid by exploding for 29 runs against Toronto en route to recording their first three-game sweep of the season. Adam Jones launched his second career grand slam in a 10-5 win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday, improving to 7-for-13 with six RBIs and four runs scored in his last three games.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Andrew Cashner (4-12, 4.79 ERA) vs. Royals RH Brad Keller (6-5, 3.33)

Cashner recorded his second straight loss on Saturday despite allowing three earned runs over seven innings of a 5-1 setback versus the New York Yankees. The performance was the third quality start in four outings for the 31-year-old, who permitted three runs on six hits across six frames of a no-decision against Kansas City on May 9. Alex Gordon (1-for-8), Salvador Perez (2-for-12) and Alcides Escobar (2-for-11) have struggled versus Cashner, who sports an 0-2 mark with a 2.45 ERA in four career encounters.

Keller will be getting his first look at Baltimore after yielding two runs on six hits over five innings of a no-decision versus Cleveland last Friday. The performance was the third straight strong outing for the 23-year-old, who is 2-0 in that stretch after allowing four runs on 17 hits across 17 frames. Keller has been taken deep in each of those three trips to the mound after surrendering three homers in his previous 33 appearances (88 1/3 innings).

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore LF Trey Mancini is 10-for-20 with eight extra-base hits (four doubles, triple, three homers), eight RBIs and eight runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.

2. Gordon went 4-for-11 with a homer, three RBIs and two runs scored in the previous series versus the Orioles.

3. Jones went 5-for-12 with a homer, three RBIs and four runs scored against the Royals in May.

PREDICTION: Royals 3, Orioles 2