Kansas City will try to be nasty hosts on Thursday when the Los Angeles Angels pay a visit to Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City hands the ball to starter Ervin Santana in this one and he'll try to improve on his 3-3 mark on the year. Los Angeles counters with Joe Blanton, who will try to quiet the fans and the Royals bats at the same time.



View LA Angels vs Kansas City Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
On the MLB moneyline for this matchup, Kansas City sat as -134 favorites earlier in the day at Sportsbook. The total was set at 9, according to Sportsbook.

Power Rankings:
The Royals sit at No. 5 in the American League in the current MLB power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Angels sit at an American League No. 12 on the same chart.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Kansas City's No. 10-rated American League offense, averaging 4.3 runs per game, against a Angels defense that ranks No. 13 in the American League at 5 in runs allowed per game. The Royals have averaged 9.1 hits per game so far, almost the same as Angels batters have averaged on the year (9.1 hits per game).

Los Angeles brings the American League's No. 13-rated defense to this matchup, facing the Royals' league No. 3-ranked defense.

The Angels were a 7-1 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Mariners. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Los Angeles at -184 on the moneyline, while the total score (8) was good news for UNDER bettors. Los Angeles hopes solid pitching and defense that led to their last victory - a 10-strikeout performance from C.J. Wilson - will prevail again after their 7-1 victory against Seattle at Angel Stadium.

In their last action, Kansas City was a 3-1 loser on the road against the Astros. Bettors on Houston at +190 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well. The Royals were saddled with a loss last time out in James Shields' start, as they lost 3-1 against Houston on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park.


Los Angeles Angels Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Kansas City are 5-5
After playing Seattle are 4-6
After a win are 5-5

Kansas City Royals Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 3-7
Before playing LA Angels are 4-6
After playing Houston are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

A few Angels at Royals trends to consider:
LA Angels are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels' last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of LA Angels' last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of LA Angels' last 18 games when playing on the road against Kansas City
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Kansas City's last 16 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games at home
Kansas City is 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against LA Angels
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Kansas City's last 18 games when playing at home against LA Angels


Next up:
LA Angels at Kansas City, Friday, May 24