The Kansas City Royals host Tampa Bay on Saturday, looking to build on their 41-58 mark against the 52-46 Rays in MLB betting action at Kauffman Stadium.

Tampa Bay puts its faith in starter Jeff Niemann to earn a win and boost his personal mark of 4-4. Getting the ball for the Royals is Jeff Francis, who owns a 3-11 record on the season with a 4.62 ERA.



View Tampa Bay vs Kansas City Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as -110 moneyline underdogs in this one at most online sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark. The total opened at 9 for those preferring over under wagers.

Power Rankings:
The Royals - Rays odds would favor the Rays if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Kansas City is rated No. 9 in the current American League Odds Shark poll, while Tampa Bay is at No. 8 in the American League.



How They Match Up:
On offense, it's a battle between Kansas City and its American League No. 6-rated batting order, averaging 4.4 runs per nine innings, against the American League's No. 8 lineup of the Rays at 4.2 runs per outing.

Tampa Bay brings the American League's No. 5-rated defense to this matchup, facing the Royals' league No. 13-ranked defense.

Tampa Bay lost its last outing, a 10-4 result against the Royals on July 22. Bettors who backed the Royals at -108 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (14) sent OVER bettors to the payout window. The Rays endured a 10-4 loss at the hands of the Royals on Friday, with Wade Davis throwing 5 1/3 innings of 11-hit ball at Kauffman Stadium.




Tampa Bay Rays Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Kansas City are 4-6
After playing Kansas City are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

Kansas City Royals Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing Tampa Bay are 6-4
After playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After a win are 4-6

A few Rays at Royals trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 7 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
Tampa Bay is 13-6 SU in its last 19 games when playing Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Kansas City's last 8 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Kansas City's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Kansas City's last 7 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games at home


Next up:
Tampa Bay at Kansas City, Sunday, July 24