Royals vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Odds for Monday, May 23 (Kansas City is a Team to Avoid Betting)

Monday night MLB action features a showdown between two of the worst teams in the league when the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Kansas City Royals in Game 1 of a two-game series at Chase Field. The Royals enter the game at 14-26 and are tied for last place in the AL Central. Last week was another disaster for KC after going 2-6 straight up in their last eight games. The offense hasn’t been all that bad, but their pitching staff has been awful. The Royals coughed up 29 runs in their last four games and cannot expect to win much if that keeps up. 

The Diamondbacks look like 1927 Yankees in comparison but still can’t claw their way to .500. At 21-22, Arizona is clinging to fourth place in the NL West but has a tendency to go on mini winning streaks. After losing six in a row, they took three of four-game from the Cubs this weekend and are not quite on the same level of bad as the Royals are. 

Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Royals vs. Diamondbacks Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

• Royals: +1.5 (-190)
• Diamondbacks: -1.5 (+155)

Moneyline:

• Royals: +100
• Diamondbacks: -110

Total:

• Total 8.5 (Over -120/Under +100)

Royals vs. Diamondbacks Prediction and Pick

The Diamondback should have swept the Cubs in four games but imploded in the eighth inning and ended up losing 5-4 yesterday. Ian Kennedy was the weakest link in that game and gave up two home runs in relief while failing to record a single out. This has been a constant issue all year as the Diamondbacks have the fourth-worst bullpen ERA in the league at 4.66. Opponents are hitting .262 against them in relief, which is the worst mark in the league. 

Zach Davis gets the start for Arizona tonight and enters with a 2-2 record and 4.35 ERA in eight appearances. Davies hasn’t exactly been sharp for Arizona, but his 1.25 WHIP is promising.

Zack Grienke will suit up for the Royals tonight to make his ninth start of the year. Greinke is not the Cy Young pitcher he once was, but his 3.48 ERA and 1.20 WHIP are solid and I have more faith in him nine times out of ten. Problem is, he’s on the Royals. They have been almost unbeatable lately and I don’t think that is going to change tonight. Davies has been playing well enough and the Diamondbacks at least look competitive most nights. 

Pick: Diamondbacks -110 to win

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE