The Kansas Royals and Chicago Cubs open a two-game series at Wrigley Field on Monday night. Kansas City was swept by the White Sox in a three-game series over the weekend, while the Cubs are coming off a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Cubs are hoping to get Kris Bryant back. He’s been in the league’s COVID-19 protocol after reporting symptoms before Saturday’s game.
Royals Pitching Struggling
Kansas City pitching has surrendered 20 runs over the last two games. They have not held their opponent under three runs in the last eight games.
The veteran lefty Danny Duffy will try to right the ship when he takes the mound for this one. He is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA.
His numbers are deceiving as he actually has pitched fairly well in his two starts. Duffy has thrown 9 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and one walk for a WHIP of only .75.
Whit Merrifield and Jorge Soler have been carrying the Royals’ offense. Merrifield has three homers and an OPS of .973 while Soler has two long balls and an OPS of .895. None of the Kansas City players have ever faced Cubs starter Alec Mills.
Cubs Look to Continue Hot Start
Chicago is in first place in the NL Central and has won six of its last seven games. The Cubs starting pitching has been excellent, with a 2.20 ERA in nine starts.
Mills went six innings, allowing only two hits and two runs against the Reds. Mills was originally drafted by Kansas City and made his debut with them in 2016. This will be Mills’ first appearance against the Royals.
Chicago’s offense has a team OPS of .795. Sunday was the first game of the year where the Cubs did not hit a home run.
Jason Kipnis, Ian Happ, Willson Contreras and David Bote all have OPS over 1.000. The team has combined for 15 homers with Happ, Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo each having three.
None of the Cubs’ regulars have faced Duffy. Jason Kipnis, Josh Phegley and Steven Souza Jr. have combined to go 9-of-44 against Duffy, but only Souza Jr. could potentially be in the starting lineup against the lefty.
Cubs Get The Win
Both of these offenses have been playing extremely well, so I’m waiting to see where the total is set. If it is 9.5 or less, I’m going to take the over. I like the Cubs at -150.
The Cubs’ right-handed hitters should have a good night against Duffy. Look for big nights from Contreras and Bote to keep the Cubs’ hot start at Wrigley Field going.
Chicago’s bullpen has been brutal, but I see the Cubs getting to Duffy and giving them some cushion. If it is a one-run game when Craig Kimbrel comes in, I’ll be sweating this one with the rest of you.
Free Pick: Cubs -150
