BUFFALO vs KANSAS CITY
When: 1/24/2021 6:40 PM
Where:

TV: 6:40 PM
LINE: -3
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , BUFFALO

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -3 point favorites versus the BUFFALO, while the game’s total is sitting at 54.

The good news for the Kansas City Chiefs is that Patrick Mahomes is planning to play.

Mahomes said Friday that he is out of concussion protocol and is ready to start Sunday’s AFC Championship Game that pits the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

“Talking to all of the doctors and going through all of the testings, we have the belief that I’ll have no lingering effects and I’ll be able to go out there and be who I am,” said Mahomes, who practiced for the third consecutive day on Friday.

Mahomes, 25, also said the toe injury that was bothering him against the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round was “feeling a lot better.”

Last year’s Super Bowl MVP suffered the concussion in the third quarter of Kansas City’s divisional-round game against Cleveland and did not return. Backup Chad Henne and the Chiefs defense held on for a 22-17 victory, in part because Henne scrambled for a big gain and then converted a game-clinching first down with a surprising completion to Tyreek Hill.

“For my preparation, it’s going to stay the same: Prepare like you’re the starter each and every week, no matter what happens,” Henne said earlier in the week. “Whatever does happen, happens. I always stay ready.”

Pretty sound outlook, though when Henne was named the quarterback for the Chiefs’ last regular-season game after they had already clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the start was his first since 2014. The Los Angeles Chargers halted Kansas City’s 10-game win streak, but the Chiefs raced to an early lead against the Browns despite coming off a first-round bye.

It is worth noting that Mahomes sprinted off the field for testing after first wobbling to the sideline against the Browns. Kansas City coach Andy Reid said later that Mahomes sustained an injury to his neck area in addition to the toe injury.

While everyone was awaiting word on Mahomes’ status, the word on the Bills’ Josh Allen is he is playing at a level equal to any quarterback still competing in the postseason.

Considering that list of greats includes Mahomes, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers, Allen is in select company. He doesn’t get distracted by comparisons, though.

“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself,” Allen said. “I’m not trying to compare to the other guys who are arguably some of the best to ever play the game, the ones who are left. I’m just focused on what I can do.”

Ever since a 26-17 loss to the Chiefs in Week 6, the Bills have rolled to 11 wins in 12 games, including eight straight, to gain their first AFC Championship appearance since the 1993 season.

Allen’s steady improvement with the Bills rode a huge uptick this season when he recorded eight 300-yard passing performances.

“He’s poised. I’ve never seen him overly excited,” said Stefon Diggs, whose All-Pro season included NFL highs of 1,535 yards and 127 catches. “For him putting his head down and gaining actual (rushing) yards, things like that go far with us.”

If the matchup comes down to key defensive stops, consider that Buffalo has allowed touchdowns on just two of eight red-zone situations in the playoffs. Taron Johnson converted one into a 101-yard pick-six in the divisional round win against Baltimore.

As for Kansas City, it ranked last in the NFL in red-zone defense, allowing a touchdown rate of 76.6 percent. Yet the Chiefs have held nine opponents to 20 or fewer points.

Two Chiefs playmakers, wideout Sammy Watkins (calf) and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), appear to be back after missing the divisional round. Both players are listed as questionable as are running back Le’Veon Bell (knee), and cornerbacks Bashaud Breeland (concussion/shoulder) and Rashad Fenton (foot).

Linebacker Willie Gay (ankle) will miss the game.

Defensive tackle Vernon Butler (quad) and rookie receiver Gabriel Davis (ankle) are questionable for Buffalo.

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CLEVELAND vs KANSAS CITY
When: 1/17/2021 3:05 PM
Where:

TV: 3:05 PM
LINE: -10
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , CLEVELAND

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -10 point favorites versus the CLEVELAND, while the game’s total is sitting at 57.

Time off for Patrick Mahomes has not equated to time away from football.

He practiced for the Kansas City Chiefs. He cheered teammates on while sitting out the last regular-season game. And then last week, with the bye that goes to the top seed in the AFC playoffs, Mahomes scouted opponents.

He will rely on what he learned about the Cleveland Browns, who will be coming off an explosive 48-37 upset of Pittsburgh in the wild-card round, which elevated them into the divisional round Sunday at Kansas City, Mo.

“I had a day’s worth of film on the Browns,” said Mahomes, “so whenever we found that out, I was able to look back at that and look at my notes and see how it presents to us.”

Despite sitting out the Jan. 3 setback to the Los Angeles Chargers, Mahomes helped engineer a 14-2 season for Kansas City while passing for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns. He will square off against Baker Mayfield as they reprise their old Big 12 shootouts.

“To be able to play against him on this stage is going to be special,” Mahomes said. “I mean, he went to Oklahoma, I went to Texas Tech, so he got the better of me in college, so I’ll try to do my best to win in the NFL.”

Mahomes knows he has the weapons to accomplish that feat, especially after the Chiefs scored at least 31 points in each of their postseason wins a year ago. Travis Kelce, who set an NFL record for tight ends with 1,416 receiving yards, also sat out the defeat against the Chargers, which snapped a 10-game Chiefs’ winning streak.

“Everybody kind of locks in a little bit more and gets excited to play when the playoffs come around, especially in this building, especially (Mahomes) himself,” Kelce said.

The same could be said of the Browns after claiming their first playoff win since 1994.

Cleveland should regain several players off the reserve/COVID-19 list — Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio was removed Friday — while coach Kevin Stefanski returned to practice on Thursday after his own stint with the virus.

“We’re looking forward to getting a full complement of guys,” Stefanski said. “Anytime you get good players back, whether it be injury or COVID list, it’s always a big boost for your entire team.”

Denzel Ward and Kevin Johnson have been activated and will provide depth to a secondary that grabbed four interceptions against Pittsburgh. Receiver KhaDarel Hodge was also taken off coronavirus protocols.

Mayfield will again look to execute a balanced attack, which also features the rushing tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Hunt will have some additional motivation playing against the Chiefs. They cut Hunt during the 2018 season after video surfaced of him kicking a woman. Kansas City selected Hunt in the third round of the 2017 draft. He then led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards as a rookie.

Another Browns connection who can point to his time with the Chiefs is general manager John Dorsey, who was around when Andy Reid took over as Kansas City coach and traded up to take Mahomes in the 2017 draft after already drafting the likes of Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

Dorsey was eventually fired by the Browns in late 2019.

“He did a nice job here and there of bringing the right people in,” Reid said.

The Chiefs ruled out receiver Sammy Watkins (calf) and linebacker Willie Gay (ankle) on Friday. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) was listed as questionable.

The Browns listed four players as questionable: offensive tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring/knee), linebacker B.J. Goodson (shoulder), and tight ends David Njoku (hamstring) and Stephen Carlson (groin).

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ATLANTA vs KANSAS CITY
When: 12/27/2020 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -10.5
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , ATLANTA

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -10.5 point favorites versus the ATLANTA, while the game’s total is sitting at 54.

Home-field advantage in the playoffs is a select prize this season after the NFL amended its playoff structure so seven teams from each conference qualify and only the top seed draws a first-round bye.

The Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) are in prime position to earn the weekend off in the AFC. Nonetheless, the reigning Super Bowl champions are reluctant to acknowledge their superiority entering a home game Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons (4-10).

“Never bank on others; get your guys ready to go,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who insisted he would not study playoff scenarios to shape alternative lineup plans.

“If you go there,” he added, “then you get your tail kicked. I don’t allow myself to go in that direction. We’ve got to maximize ourselves against a team that’s playing hard. These games that they’ve lost, over half of them have gone into the fourth quarter.”

By beating or tying the Falcons, the Chiefs can clinch the top seed in the AFC playoffs and with it, a first-round bye and home-field advantage. Other scenarios could assure the Chiefs of the top spot, but they seem focused on variables they can control.

“If you keep winning games,” said quarterback Patrick Mahomes, “those things have a way of working out on their own.”

Kansas City’s dominance during a season marred by unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic includes a nine-game winning streak and the announcement this week of seven Pro Bowl selections.

A 14th regular-season win would establish a franchise record.

Travis Kelce needs 60 yards receiving to break the NFL record for tight ends held by San Francisco’s George Kittle (1,377). Kelce also needs two receptions to become the first NFL tight end with 100 catches in back-to-back seasons.

The fact that each of Kansas City’s last six opponents have kept the outcome to a one-score margin could encourage Atlanta, which has seven losses by one score.

Discouraging, however, is that the Falcons are No. 31 in the NFL in passing yards allowed, especially going against a Chiefs team ranked first in average passing yards.

Mahomes has thrown for 36 touchdowns against five interceptions. He leads the NFL with 4,462 passing yards. The Falcons’ Matt Ryan is third (4,016).

Much of the attention thrust on the Falcons regards openings for a head coach and general manager. The team confirmed Wednesday that Raheem Morris will receive an interview. The interim coach said he looks at the totality of his job in that prism.

“Everything you do in these moments are interview-type moments,” Morris said.

Morris will use the last two games to look at running back Ito Smith, who moved ahead of Todd Gurley in the rotation.

Receiver Julio Jones continues to be slowed by a hamstring injury that kept him out the last two games. Other Atlanta starters who missed practice Wednesday were cornerback Darqueze Dennard (quad), center Alex Mack (concussion) and guard James Carpenter (groin).

Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle, hip) will miss the game for the Chiefs, though his injury is not as severe as initially thought. Tyreek Hill (hamstring) was withheld from Wednesday’s practice as a precaution. Linebacker Anthony Hitchens is in COVID-19 protocol but could play.

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LA CHARGERS vs KANSAS CITY
When: 1/3/2021 1:00 PM
Where:

TV: 1:00 PM
LINE: -1.5
PREDICTION: KANSAS CITY , LA CHARGERS

Oddsmakers currently have the KANSAS CITY listed as -1.5 point favorites versus the LA CHARGERS, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.

Apparently subbing for Patrick Mahomes provides a potential shot of youthful exuberance.

With the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs already secured by Kansas City (14-1), the Chiefs will rest their MVP candidate Sunday when they play host to the Los Angeles Chargers (6-9).

Mahomes’ backup, Chad Henne, is no stranger to the NFL. That didn’t prevent Chiefs coach Andy Reid, however, from telling his backup quarterback to go be a kid again.

“I think he’s excited,” Reid said. “I told him, ‘Act like you’re 20, man, and try to remember those days and feel it.’ He’s all in.”

Henne, 35, will start for the first time since the first three games of the 2014 season with Jacksonville. He entered as a reserve in two blowouts this season, completing 5 of 6 passes while rushing for one touchdown after missing all of last season with a fractured ankle.

Not quite the numbers Mahomes has posted leading Kansas City to 10 straight wins as the NFL passing leader with 4,740 yards.

The Chiefs have already established a club-best win total and can set another franchise record with an 11th consecutive win in the same season.

Nonetheless, Reid embraced the opportunity to rest several regulars before the Chiefs observe a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

“It’s crazy to think it’s my first (start) since 2014,” Henne said. “I got all my games in when I was young and then I had like a five- or six-year span where I didn’t get much playing time. I’m excited and excited about the group we’re going to have out there.”

The lineup could lack some firepower the Chiefs typically deploy.

Tyreek Hill (hamstring), Le’Veon Bell (knee), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) and Sammy Watkins (calf) all missed practice Wednesday. Travis Kelce could be another weapon the Chiefs sit since he has already set the NFL season record for receiving yardage (1,416) by a tight end and the franchise record for catches (105).

The Chargers carry a three-game winning streak behind Justin Herbert, who engineered game-winning drives in each of the three wins. The No. 6 overall pick from Oregon owns an NFL rookie record with 28 touchdown passes.

Herbert’s first start came in Week 2 against the Chiefs after a pain-killing injection punctured the lung of Tyrod Taylor. The Chargers, who started 2-7, took the Chiefs into overtime before falling 23-20 as Herbert passed for 311 yards and one touchdown.

“I think I’m a better teammate, son, friend because of all those tough times we had this year,” Herbert said. “I know I learned a lot going forward, I know I’m going to be better prepared for 2021.”

One question is whether he will be joined by fourth-year coach Anthony Lynn, who said he has not been given any indication on his future with Los Angeles.

“I am not concerned about that; I am concerned about Kansas City,” Lynn said.

Defensive end Joey Bosa (concussion), wide receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring) and safety Rayshawn Jenkins (ankle) are questionable for the Chargers.

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KANSAS CITY vs OAKLAND
When: 4:05 PM ET, Sunday, September 15, 2019
Where: RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland, California

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Kansas City -7.
O/U: 53.5
PREDICTION: Chiefs 34, Raiders 24

Oddsmakers currently have the OAKLAND listed as 7 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 53.5.

The Kansas City Chiefs saw their season flash before them when star quarterback Patrick Mahomes sprained his ankle in Week 1, but the reigning MVP says he will be ready to play Sunday. Mahomes and the Chiefs hit the road in Week 2 for an AFC West showdown with the Oakland Raiders.

The Chiefs’ high-powered offense will be without one of its top weapons, as star receiver Tyreek Hill is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a sternoclavicular joint injury (the spot where the clavicle meets the sternum), but Raiders coach Jon Gruden still is wary of Kansas City’s offense. “(Rookie Mecole Hardman) is gonna be fast and dynamic. Sammy Watkins is healthy. … (Travis) Kelce is still Kelce. They’ve added (LeSean) Shady McCoy. They’re a problem,” Gruden said in a teleconference. “I’m getting a headache talking about it.” The Raiders had their share of headaches on the eve of the season with the saga leading up to Antonio Brown’s release, but they capped a whirlwind Week 1 with a 24-16 home win over Denver on Monday night. The Chiefs have won three straight meetings, but they narrowly escaped with a 40-33 victory in their visit to Oakland last season.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Kansas City -7. O/U: 53.5

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (1-0): Even without Hill, Kansas City’s offense has plenty of prowess with Mahomes throwing to Watkins (nine catches, 198 yards, three touchdowns in Week 1) and Kelce. Damien Williams and recent acquisition McCoy split time in the backfield, and the latter is expected to take on a bigger role after averaging 8.1 yards on 10 carries last week. The secondary still is a concern for the Chiefs, who surrendered 347 passing yards in a 40-26 win at Jacksonville and were picked apart by rookie Gardner Minshew in the second half.

ABOUT THE RAIDERS (1-0): Oakland did an excellent job of protecting Derek Carr against Denver, as the team did not surrender a sack. Carr found a new favorite target in Tyrell Williams, who snagged six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, and rookie Josh Jacobs rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders were able to wreak havoc in the backfield against the Broncos, collecting three sacks and five tackles for loss, but they’ll have a bigger challenge this week.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Chiefs have scored 25 or more points in an NFL-record 22 consecutive games.

2. Mahomes has thrown at least two touchdown passes in 12 straight contests.

3. Jacobs was the first player since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2001 to record at least 100 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in his NFL debut.

PREDICTION: Chiefs 34, Raiders 24

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KANSAS CITY vs JACKSONVILLE
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, September 8, 2019
Where: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

TV: 1 p.m. ET, CBS.
LINE: Kansas City -3.5.
O/U: 51.5
PREDICTION: Chiefs 31, Jaguars 23

Oddsmakers currently have the JACKSONVILLE listed as 3.5 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.

Reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes says the Kansas City Chiefs spent the offseason finding ways to make their offense run even more smoothly, and that’s a scary proposition for opposing defenses. Mahomes and the Chiefs will try to pick up where they left off last season when they open the 2019 campaign at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The Chiefs led the league in scoring (35.3 points per game) and total offense (425.6 yards) a year ago, and with most of their biggest weapons still in the arsenal, they’ve been able to add some new wrinkles to the playbook. “I’m definitely excited to be able to show all these plays we’ve been working on all through training camp and watch how they’re going to work in a game,” Mahomes told reporters. “That’s stuff we worked on all offseason – how we think we can exploit defenses and how we think we can go out there and have success based on stuff we did last year.” They’ll start with a strong challenge against a Jacksonville defense that ranked in the top five in the league in scoring defense (19.8 points per game) and total defense (311.4 yards). “It will be a great challenge for us,” Jaguars coach Doug Marrone told reporters. “They have a lot of talent on that side of the ball.”

ABOUT THE CHIEFS (2018: 12-4, TIED FOR FIRST IN AFC WEST): There’s plenty of hype for Kansas City’s offense with Mahomes back for his second full season as a starter after passing for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns a year ago. The Chiefs added running back LeSean McCoy to complement Damien Williams, who broke out last season after Kareem Hunt’s release, and Mahomes’ two favorite targets are back in dynamic receiver Tyreek Hill and tight end Travis Kelce. The defense got a bit of a facelift with the addition of pass rusher Frank Clark and safety Tyrann Mathieu.

ABOUT THE JAGUARS (2018: 5-11, LAST IN AFC SOUTH): Jacksonville moved on from quarterback Blake Bortles and brought in Nick Foles to try to mitigate the turnovers that derailed them last season, when they coughed it up 29 times. They also added former Chiefs receiver Chris Conley, who along with Marqise Lee and Dede Westbrook could stabilize the passing game needed to complement running back Leonard Fournette. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, defensive ends Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue, and linebacker Myles Jack anchor a defense that again figures to be one of the league’s best.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Chiefs have scored 25 or more points in an NFL-record 21 consecutive regular-season games.

2. Foles is 11-3 over his past 14 starts and is 3-0 in season-opening starts.

3. The Chiefs have won four straight meetings, including a 30-14 home victory last October.

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KANSAS CITY vs CHI WHITE SOX
GAME: Kansas City Royals (18-34) at Chicago White Sox (23-29)
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, May 28 – 8:10 PM EST
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, NBCS Chicago
LINE: -150
PREDICTION: White Sox 4, Royals 1

Oddsmakers currently have the CHI WHITE SOX listed as -150 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 8.5.

As difficult as winning has been for the Kansas City Royals this season, attempting to finish a nine-inning game of late has been even harder. The Royals will continue their three-game set in Chicago against the White Sox on Tuesday after Monday’s opener was suspended in the fifth inning due to rain.

Kansas City did not play a game four times over a five-day stretch last week due to a combination of off-days and postponements because of severe weather issues in and around Missouri, resulting in a week in which it played two doubleheaders and went 10 innings on the only day it played a single contest. The poor weather followed the Royals to Chicago on Monday, as the game was suspended after nearly four hours of rain delays and will resume Tuesday at 5:40 p.m. ET tied 1-1. Kansas City has won two of its last three away from home but still owns the worst road mark in the majors (7-17) as well as the second-worst overall record in the American League (18-34). Chicago entered this series after going 2-5 on a road trip against AL division leaders in Houston and Minnesota – the latter of which outscored the White Sox 26-5 during a three-game sweep over the weekend.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (3-5, 4.43 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (6-1, 2.77)

Keller snapped a four-game losing streak and won for the first time since April 12 in Wednesday’s victory at St. Louis after yielding two runs despite walking four and hitting two batters across seven innings. The Georgia native has struggled with his control all season long, issuing at least three passes in 10 consecutive outings and a major-league high 41 overall. Tim Anderson is 1-for-14 with a homer versus Keller, who is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in two starts against the White Sox in 2019.

Giolito has won four straight starts and extended his winning streak to five games Thursday in Houston after striking out nine during a four-hit shutout – his first in 52 career turns. The 24-year-old is in the midst of the most dominant stretch of his career, permitting a total of two runs on 14 hits while fanning 29 over 28 1/3 innings in his last four outings. Giolito gave up two runs over 6 2/3 frames while winning his season debut versus Kansas City on March 31.

WALK-OFFS

1. Including his 2-for-2 effort during Monday’s suspended game, Royals 3B Hunter Dozier has eight hits in 11 at-bats over the last three contests.

2. Anderson, who did not play Monday due to a wrist injury, is hitting .344 with four doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs and 11 runs scored over 17 games against the AL Central this season.

3. Kansas City SS Adalberto Mondesi (18) and Anderson (13) rank first and second, respectively, in the majors in steals.

PREDICTION: White Sox 4, Royals 1

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KANSAS CITY vs CHI WHITE SOX
GAME: Kansas City Royals (18-34) at Chicago White Sox (23-29)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 27 – 2:10 PM EST
WHERE: Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, NBCS Chicago
LINE: -115
PREDICTION: Royals 6, White Sox 5

Oddsmakers currently have the CHI WHITE SOX listed as -115 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.

The Kansas City Royals salvaged the finale of their previous series after blowing a six-run lead and hope to improve the worst road record in the American League when they start a seven-game trip Monday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox. Whit Merrifield extended his hitting streak to five games with an RBI single in the 10th inning as the Royals knocked off the New York Yankees 8-7 on Sunday to avoid falling a season-high 18 games under .500.

Kansas City (18-34), which sits last in the AL Central, is now 4-9 in one-run contests – prompting Merrifield to tell reporters: “I’ve said it all year. I don’t think we’re playing bad. I just don’t think we’re doing enough to win games.” Homer Bailey will try to give the Royals back-to-back wins when he takes the mound in Monday’s opener of the three-game set while Chicago counters with Ivan Nova, who has recorded all three of his victories on the season this month after registering an 8.42 ERA in April. The White Sox (23-29) have dropped three straight contests and six of eight after suffering a 7-0 loss at Minnesota on Sunday, but they still have registered seven more victories than they had at this point last year. Tim Anderson (.337 batting average, eight homers, 25 RBIs) has missed Chicago’s last two games with a wrist injury while Leury Garcia was a late scratch on Sunday due to a shoulder ailment.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Homer Bailey (4-5, 6.13 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Ivan Nova (3-4, 6.96)

Bailey has followed two straight wins with two of his worst performances of the season, allowing 11 runs – 10 earned – and 12 hits over six innings en route to a pair of losses. The 33-year-old Texan has served up three homers in his last two games after giving up four in his first eight starts and issued nine walks over 11 frames in his last three outings. Yonder Alonso is 4-for-11 with a double versus Bailey, who will be facing the White Sox for the first time.

Nova has recorded three quality starts in his last four outings after yielding three runs and 10 hits over seven innings last time out. The 32-year-old Dominican, who will be making his 200th career start, has struggled to a 16.36 ERA in three outings at home this season. Alex Gordon is 3-for-10 with a double and a homer against Nova, who is 2-1 with a 5.57 ERA in four career turns versus Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Chicago 1B Jose Abreu has gone 10-for-33 over his last nine contests after seeing his eight-game hitting streak end on Sunday

2. Kansas City SS Adalberto Mondesi, who leads the majors with 18 stolen bases, has gone 11-for-31 during his seven-game hitting streak.

3. The teams have split six meetings this season, with each taking two of three at home.

PREDICTION: Royals 6, White Sox 5

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KANSAS CITY vs ST LOUIS
GAME: Kansas City Royals (16-31) at St. Louis Cardinals (24-23)
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, May 22 – 7:45 PM EST
WHERE: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

TV: 7:45 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS Midwest
LINE: -165
PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Royals 5

Oddsmakers currently have the ST LOUIS listed as -165 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.

Baseball fans in Missouri will be treated with a double dip between their favorite teams when the Kansas City Royals visit St. Louis for a day-night twinbill with the Cardinals on Wednesday. The threat of severe weather forced the postponement of Tuesday’s scheduled opener and prompted a slight shuffle of the series’ pitching matchup, with Brad Keller of the Royals facing Michael Wacha in the matinee before Homer Bailey and Adam Wainwright meet in the nightcap.

St. Louis is in a four-team battle for National League Central supremacy and fell into fourth place while dropping 13 of their last 17 contests, including two of three in an interleague series at Texas over the weekend. The team’s lack of recent success hasn’t slowed the bat of shortstop Paul DeJong, who drove in three runs in Sunday’s 5-4 loss and went 5-for-12 with a homer and seven RBIs against the Rangers. The Royals totaled seven runs during a four-game slide before breaking out with a 5-1 victory at the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, but are 1-11 in May when scoring four or fewer runs. Kansas City has lost each of its seven road series.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Homer Bailey (4-4, 5.36 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (3-4, 4.75)

Bailey is trying to find some consistency in his first season with Kansas City and followed up a pair of wins with a loss against Texas on Thursday in which he was reached for six runs – five earned – on eight hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings. The veteran Texan issued 20 walks in 45 1/3 innings over his nine starts. Bailey spent the first 12 seasons of his career in the NL Central with Cincinnati and is 6-15 with a 5.56 ERA in 27 career starts against St. Louis, including two losses last season.

Wainwright followed up a solid game two turns ago with a rocky outing at Atlanta on Thursday, giving up five runs in four innings with a season-high five walks. He limited Pittsburgh to a run in seven frames in his previous start, lowering his ERA at home to 2.45. Chris Owings is 4-for-8 with three doubles against Wainwright, who is 4-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 11 games (eight starts) in his career versus Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City optioned RHP Heath Fillmyer to Triple-A Omaha while St. Louis released RHP Luke Gregerson.

2. Royals LHP Jake Diekman owns 15 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings over his last seven appearances.

3. St. Louis took four of the six meetings last season and eight of 10 over the last two campaigns.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Royals 5

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KANSAS CITY vs LA ANGELS
GAME: Kansas City Royals (15-29) at Los Angeles Angels (20-23)
DATE/TIME: Friday, May 17 – 10:07 PM EST
WHERE: Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California

TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS West (Los Angeles)
LINE: -135
PREDICTION: Angels 5, Royals 2

Oddsmakers currently have the LA ANGELS listed as -135 point favorites versus the KANSAS CITY, while the game’s total is sitting at 9.5.

The Los Angeles Angels began their nine-game road trip with a flourish, scoring 36 runs to win four of the first five contests before surrendering 21 to lose three of their last four. The Angels look to regain their footing on Friday when they begin a nine-game homestand with the opener of a three-game series versus the Kansas City Royals, who are an American League-worst 5-14 on the road.

Los Angeles erupted for a season-high 18 hits in Wednesday’s 8-7 setback in Minnesota, although the club was done in by going 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position and leaving 14 runners on base. Tommy La Stella collected four hits in that contest and is batting .367 in his last 20 games, including a 2-for-3 performance with a two-run single in the fourth inning of a 9-4 loss to at Kansas City on April 27. The Royals fell for the ninth time in 13 contests on Thursday afternoon, when they surrendered five homers in a 16-1 shellacking by Texas. Top prospect Nicky Lopez collected two hits and improved to 5-for-11 with three doubles and two runs scored in three games since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha.

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (2-4, 4.47 ERA) vs. Angels RH Matt Harvey (1-3, 6.69)

Keller fell to 0-3 in his last four starts after allowing a season-high six runs on five hits in five innings of a 7-0 setback versus Philadelphia on Saturday. The 23-year-old has struggled with his command throughout 2019, issuing four walks in that contest to boost that total to a team-high 32 in nine outings while also hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch in five-plus innings. Keller will attempt to end a string of eight straight starts with at least three walks on Friday when he faces Los Angeles, against which he is 1-1 with a 1.46 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in three career appearances (two starts).

Harvey recorded his lone win of the season on April 28 versus Kansas City, against which he allowed one run on two hits in seven strong innings of a 7-3 victory. The 30-year-old has answered that outing by failing to get past the fifth in two straight trips to the mound, including a no-decision at Baltimore on Saturday. Harvey is just 0-2 with a bloated 9.95 ERA at home while allowing the opposition to belt five homers and bat .321 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City 3B Hunter Dozier went 6-for-12 with two triples and five RBIs in the previous series with Los Angeles.

2. Angels OF Mike Trout went 4-for-13 with three runs scored in the previous set versus the Royals.

3. Kansas City 2B Adalberto Mondesi has five hits and three RBIs in his last three games.

PREDICTION: Angels 5, Royals 2

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