Kansas City Royals (80-67, second in the AL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (70-76, fifth in the NL Central)
Pittsburgh; Friday, 6:40 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Royals: TBD; Pirates: Luis Ortiz (6-5, 3.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 90 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Pirates -125, Royals +104; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates start a three-game series at home against the Kansas City Royals on Friday.
The Pirates have a 70-76 record overall and a 37-38 record in home games. The Pirates have a 33-59 record in games when they have given up at least one home run.
The Royals have an 80-67 record overall and a 35-37 record on the road. The Royals have a 65-11 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.
The matchup Friday is the first meeting of the season between the two clubs.
TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has 26 doubles, three triples and 22 home runs for the Pirates. Andrew McCutchen is 9-for-29 with two doubles, four home runs and 10 RBI over the last 10 games.
Bobby Witt Jr. has 42 doubles, 11 triples and 30 home runs for the Royals. Tommy Pham is 13-for-41 with two doubles, two home runs and five RBI over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Pirates: 7-3, .226 batting average, 3.94 ERA, outscored opponents by five runs
Royals: 5-5, .220 batting average, 3.33 ERA, outscored by three runs
INJURIES: Pirates: Henry Davis: 10-Day IL (hand), Ben Heller: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Hunter Stratton: 60-Day IL (patella), Ke'Bryan Hayes: 10-Day IL (herniated disc), Marco Gonzales: 60-Day IL (forearm), Daulton Jefferies: 60-Day IL (elbow), Dauri Moreta: 60-Day IL (elbow), Endy Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Johan Oviedo: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Royals: Vinnie Pasquantino: 10-Day IL (thumb), Michael Lorenzen: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Will Smith: 15-Day IL (back), Hunter Harvey: 15-Day IL (back), Josh Taylor: 60-Day IL (biceps), Kyle Wright: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
