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MLB : ATS Matchup
Friday 5/29/2015Line$ LineOU LineScore
KANSAS CITY  VOLQUEZ )
 
CHICAGO CUBS  ARRIETA )
+1.5  -160

-1.5  +140
+135

-145

8.5un
 
8
Final
4

KANSAS CITY (28 - 18) at CHICAGO CUBS (25 - 21)
View Previous GameNo Next Game
Friday, 5/29/2015 4:05 PM
EDINSON VOLQUEZ (R) vs. JAKE ARRIETA (R)
Board OpeningLatest
 LineTotalLineTotal
979KANSAS CITY+120Ov 9,+100+135Ov 8.5,-105
980CHICAGO CUBS-130Un 9,-120-145Un 8.5,-115
ADVANCED TEAM STATS
KANSAS CITY - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games28-18+9.122-204.70.2810.3210.4220.7433.70.2340.3010.3640.664
Road Games11-11+0.611-94.60.2810.3170.4200.7374.50.2480.3180.4000.718
vs Right-handed Starters18-12+517-114.80.2810.3240.4230.7473.90.2380.3070.3920.699
Past 7 Games3-4-1.42-42.90.2430.2790.3440.6244.60.2680.3430.4390.781
Grass Games28-18+9.122-204.70.2810.3210.4220.7433.70.2340.3010.3640.664
Day Games9-6+2.97-55.30.2850.3350.4370.7714.10.2410.3030.3890.691
Interleague4-1+2.71-33.80.2820.3140.3960.7101.80.2240.2880.2880.577
KANSAS CITY - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games4.70.2810.3214615794449214340.422204932592731241273715
Road Games4.60.2810.31722800225475180.420954214461582220168
Righty Starters4.80.2810.3243010172865911210.423135641741619728142610
KANSAS CITY - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games1.841.020152343110310521289-214477.8%
Road Games2.201.10073.7211849632624-25362.5%

CHICAGO CUBS - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games25-21+1.220-224.10.2410.3120.3880.6994.10.2420.2940.3900.684
Home Games14-10+1.37-153.40.2430.3210.3640.6853.30.2320.2810.3670.648
vs Right-handed Starters21-18+015-213.80.2360.3040.3870.6913.70.2350.2860.3710.658
Past 7 Games3-4-1.62-53.30.2110.2600.3780.6383.10.2120.2620.3900.652
Grass Games25-21+1.220-224.10.2410.3120.3880.6994.10.2420.2940.3900.684
Day Games8-11-5.87-113.40.2120.2850.3180.6034.10.2480.2970.4130.710
CHICAGO CUBS - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games4.10.2410.312461571379768460.3881811614514333933403835
Home Games3.40.2430.32124786191323190.36477902242419318181920
Righty Starters3.80.2360.304391320311637410.3871421293853427330353432
CHICAGO CUBS - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games4.071.3141376562126145412911-911857.9%
Home Games3.341.15770272658723686-35362.5%
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
KANSAS CITY - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
5/15/2015YOUNG(R)NY YANKEESPINEDA(R)12-1W+1057 unO17100561
5/16/2015DUFFY(L)NY YANKEESSABATHIA(L)1-5L-1258 unU6629101
5/17/2015VOLQUEZ(R)NY YANKEESCAPUANO(L)6-0W-1158 unU750692
5/19/2015VENTURA(R)CINCINNATICUETO(R)3-0W-1206.5 unU960440
5/20/2015GUTHRIE(R)CINCINNATIMARQUIS(R)7-1W-1507.5 unO10409100
5/22/2015YOUNG(R)ST LOUISLYNN(R)5-0W-1107 unU11608130
5/23/2015VOLQUEZ(R)ST LOUISLACKEY(R)3-2W-1307 evU651450
5/24/2015VENTURA(R)ST LOUISWACHA(R)1-6L-1307 evP6601061
5/25/2015GUTHRIE(R)@ NY YANKEESEOVALDI(R)1-14L1058.5 evO8911470
5/26/2015VARGAS(L)@ NY YANKEESWARREN(R)1-5L-1058.5 unU442761
5/27/2015YOUNG(R)@ NY YANKEESPINEDA(R)2-4L1257.5 unU880981
5/29/2015VOLQUEZ(R)@ CHICAGO CUBSARRIETA(R) 
5/30/2015VENTURA(R)@ CHICAGO CUBSHAMMEL(R) 
5/31/2015GUTHRIE(R)@ CHICAGO CUBSWADA(L) 
6/2/2015DUFFY(L)CLEVELANDCARRASCO(R) 
6/3/2015 CLEVELAND  
6/4/2015 CLEVELAND  
6/5/2015 TEXAS  

CHICAGO CUBS - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
5/15/2015HENDRICKS(R)PITTSBURGHLOCKE(L)11-10W-1309.5 ovO1516015121
5/16/2015LESTER(L)PITTSBURGHCOLE(R)4-1W+1008 ovU88011103
5/17/2015ARRIETA(R)PITTSBURGHBURNETT(R)0-3L-14010 unU590861
5/19/2015HAMMEL(R)@ SAN DIEGOSHIELDS(R)3-4L1106.5 ovO753530
5/20/2015WADA(L)@ SAN DIEGOROSS(R)3-2W1257 unU560680
5/21/2015HENDRICKS(R)@ SAN DIEGODESPAIGNE(R)3-0W-1157 unU760530
5/22/2015LESTER(L)@ ARIZONACOLLMENTER(R)4-5L-1208.5 unO1111112111
5/23/2015ARRIETA(R)@ ARIZONADE LA ROSA(R)9-6W-1258 unO852731
5/24/2015HAMMEL(R)@ ARIZONAHELLICKSON(R)3-4L-1308.5 ovU522630
5/25/2015WADA(L)WASHINGTONROARK(R)1-2L-11511 unU541560
5/26/2015HENDRICKS(R)WASHINGTONZIMMERMANN(R)3-2W-11010 evU970631
5/27/2015LESTER(L)WASHINGTONSCHERZER(R)0-3L+1156.5 ovU7939100
5/29/2015ARRIETA(R)KANSAS CITYVOLQUEZ(R) 
5/30/2015HAMMEL(R)KANSAS CITYVENTURA(R) 
5/31/2015WADA(L)KANSAS CITYGUTHRIE(R) 
6/1/2015HENDRICKS(R)@ MIAMI  
6/2/2015LESTER(L)@ MIAMI  
6/3/2015 @ MIAMI  
6/4/2015 @ WASHINGTON  
6/5/2015 @ WASHINGTON  
KEY GAME INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY: KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Every once in a while, Ned Yost will spin a story about his days on Bobby Cox's bench with the Atlanta Braves, back when the organization was winning NL pennants by the fistful.
Inevitably, Yost would start drawing comparisons to his Kansas City Royals - that they were building through the farm system in the same manner as the Braves, and Kansas City would embrace the franchise in the same way Atlanta did if it ever became a winner.
Last year, that narrative finally made sense.
After squeaking into the playoffs as a wild card, the Royals swept all the way to the World Series. If not for a virtuoso performance by Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants, the Royals might very well have been celebrating their second championship.
The postseason run led Yost to draw one more comparison when he arrived in Arizona for the start of a new season, and his players filed into the clubhouse for the first time.
''It definitely reminded me of that feeling in Atlanta,'' he said, ''when you came to spring training every year with the feeling that you have an opportunity to go to the World Series - instead of hoping, you know? And it's a different feeling.''
There is good reason for that feeling, too.
The Royals return most of the pieces from the club that ended a 29-year playoff drought, including one of the best bullpens in baseball history. And the pieces they did lose to free agency have been replaced with what could turn out to be upgrades.
Designated hitter Billy Butler is gone, Kendrys Morales signed in his place. Alex Rios is taking over for Nori Aoki in right field. Edinson Volquez was signed to fill the rotation spot of staff ace James Shields, who chased bigger money all the way to San Diego.
Even though a few faces have changed, the tenants that the Royals believe in have not: They will continue to rely on speed, defense and pitching to chase another playoff berth.
''Any time you're fortunate enough to keep those key pieces, you feel good,'' said Greg Holland, the Royals' All-Star closer. ''Yeah, we lost Billy and Shields and Nori, but for the most part, we're right where we need to be.''
Besides, the back end of the bullpen is still intact.
Kelvin Herrera harnessed his electrifying fastball to become a shutdown seventh-inning reliever last season. Former starter Wade Davis had a historically dominant year as the setup man. Holland further cemented his status as the AL's best closer.
''The way you tilt the field in your favor, in my opinion, is having quality pitching and really good defense,'' Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. ''Those are things that hopefully can show up every single day and perform for you.''
As the Royals approach opening day against the Chicago White Sox on April 6 at Kauffman Stadium, here are a few other story lines to watch this season:
THE ROTATION: Shields was the anchor in 2014, but he struggled mightily in the playoffs. So when the Royals signed Volquez to replace him, it was mostly met with a collective shrug.
Besides, the success of the rotation will more likely be determined by the success of young flamethrowers Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura, both of whom have ace ability.
INJURY BUGS: The Royals stayed remarkably healthy last season. Will karma even out?
Second baseman Omar Infante already missed long stretches of spring training with a bone spur in his elbow that could require surgery next offseason. Left fielder Alex Gordon also got a slow start to the spring after undergoing wrist surgery this past offseason.
SLOW STARTS: The last couple of seasons, the Royals have gotten off to slow starts. They unsuccessfully dug out of a big hole two years ago, but pulled it off last season.
Considering every other team in the AL Central appeared to get better over the winter, the Royals can ill afford to let Detroit, Cleveland and Minnesota and the White Sox bury them.
RESTING SALVY: All-Star catcher Salvador Perez faded in the playoffs in part due to his heavy work load in the regular season, where he appeared in 150 games. Yost intends to give him more days off this year, though it's hard to take his bat out of the lineup.
BASEBALL TOWN: Did the World Series run turn Kansas City into a baseball town again? The club has been overshadowed for decades by the Chiefs, who play just across the parking lot in Arrowhead stadium. How will fans respond to having the reigning AL champions?
CHICAGO CUBS: CHICAGO (AP) - Standing in the shade on a beautiful afternoon in Arizona, Jon Lester embraced the question that hovers over the Chicago Cubs these days.
When it comes to all those highly touted prospects, Lester said the time is now.
''When I played in Boston, we didn't have time to grow up,'' the left-hander explained. ''You just had to show up and play, and each year you're expected to win, so that's how I feel. Every year they should come in and expect to be not only division winners, but World Series champions. If you don't have that mindset, then I think you're playing for the wrong reasons.''
Heady stuff for a franchise known mostly for futility, but the Cubs think it's a new era after five consecutive losing seasons.
The shift in thinking for president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and the rest of the front office was evident during an aggressive offseason that included the addition of Joe Maddon after the veteran manager opted out of his contract with Tampa Bay, and a $155 million, six-year contract to add Lester.
The hiring of Maddon meant dumping Rick Renteria after just one year, and Lester's deal is a significant investment for a pitcher who turned 31 in January. But looking at their good young core and rich minor league system, the Cubs felt it was time to act.
''There's a lot of talent here. Now it's about executing,'' Lester said. ''It's going out and playing good baseball for six months. It's hard to do. But that's why we're here. We're going to figure it out as we go.''
The Cubs, who also acquired center fielder Dexter Fowler and catcher Miguel Montero in trades, should be much improved after their 73-89 finish in 2014. But going from last place to the playoffs could depend more on the development of Chicago's top prospects than its newest players.
Jorge Soler takes over in right field after making his major league debut in August and drawing raves for his approach at the plate in the season's final month. Javier Baez, Arismendy Alcantara and Kris Bryant - all 20-something position players with considerable potential - also are key to the Cubs' chance for a breakthrough.
''You don't really read enough about their personalities and their makeup. That to me makes them real prospects,'' Maddon said. ''There's a lot of guys who throw 95 mph and hit balls out of sight. But with the makeup, personality and character ... that's what really turns me on to this group.''
Here are a few more things to watch with the Cubs:
UNDER THE RADAR: Jake Arrieta was a pleasant surprise, finishing with a 10-5 record and a sparkling 2.53 ERA in 25 starts last year. He struck out 167 in 156 2-3 innings and allowed just five homers.
Arrieta, 29, began last season on the disabled list with right shoulder tightness but looked healthy this spring and could team with Lester to give Chicago a potent top of the rotation.
''There's always room to improve. There's always things to get better at,'' Arrieta said. ''There's a right way to go about doing that, and I think that there's some things that I can clean up and kind of use in regard to what I did last season to make it even better.''
AT THE PLATE: The Cubs struck out a major league-high 1,477 times last season, and their .300 on-base percentage was 28th among 30 teams. They had six players with at least 100 strikeouts.
The addition of Fowler, who had a .375 on-base percentage last season with Houston, should help the top of the order, and the pressure is on new hitting coach John Mallee to help Baez and the other young hitters make more consistent contact.
IN THE DUGOUT: Maddon is one of the game's most creative managers, and the move to the NL and one of the game's most quirky ballparks in Wrigley Field could lead to all sorts of different lineups. He could put the pitcher in the eighth slot in the lineup in some situations. Pretty much everything is on the table when it comes to Maddon.
IN THE FIELD: The majors' second-oldest ballpark is undergoing a major renovation that could affect its notoriously fickle wind, which can turn innocent fly balls into homers and long drives into outs. A massive new videoboard is expected to be in place by opening day, but the bleachers will be under construction for the first part of the season. How the work on the ballpark affects the the field remains to be seen.
PREVIEW
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW (KANSAS CITY-CHICAGO CUBS) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Royals-Cubs Preview* =====================

By JORDAN GARRETSON STATS Writer

Kansas City (28-18) at Chicago (25-21), 4:05 p.m. EDT

The Kansas City Royals are still in first place, though they now have some unexpected company, while the Chicago Cubs have lost some ground.

Both clubs will be looking to jump-start slumping offenses in Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field.

Kansas City (28-18) has dropped a season-worst four straight while totaling five runs. The Royals still rank second in baseball in runs per game, though they had been averaging 5.0 prior to that stretch.

Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees dropped them into a first-place tie in the AL Central with surging Minnesota, which has won seven of eight.

The Royals lost five in a row once last year, May 1-5.

"We're not swinging the bats," manager Ned Yost said. "We've cooled off a little bit."

Kansas City has won 19 of its last 24 interleague games, though, and Salvador Perez could be the key to getting the offense back on track. He's batting .354 with 22 RBIs in his last 26 against NL opponents.

The Cubs (25-21) have lost four of six and scored seven runs in their last four games. Six of those runs came on homers, and Chicago struggled to manufacture runs - going 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position. The lineup struck out 14 times in Wednesday's 3-0 loss to Washington and dropped two of three in the series.

Kris Bryant is 3 for 14 over his last four games, while Dexter Fowler is 1 for 15 with seven strikeouts.

Coach Joe Maddon was encouraged by his team's performance against the NL East-leading Nationals, whom they limited to seven runs in three games.

"The takeaway is, we can play with these guys," Maddon told MLB's official website. "I feel very confident about that moving forward."

These starters could be poised to keep their opponents in check.

Kansas City's Edinson Volquez (4-3, 2.77 ERA) has given up two runs over 13 innings while winning his last two starts, though he hasn't won in three road outings this year. He's 7-0 with a 2.90 ERA in 11 games, including 10 starts, against the Cubs. The right-hander allowed one earned run over 16 innings in his last three matchups.

Volquez is 5-0 with a 1.36 ERA in his last 10 outings against NL teams going back to last season with Pittsburgh.

Jake Arrieta (4-4, 2.95) has logged three straight quality starts, striking out 24 over 21 innings. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 3.12 ERA in three starts against the Royals, whom he hasn't faced since 2011.

Arrieta might have to be mindful of a shaky defense behind him. Chicago committed three errors Wednesday, has nine over its last six games and its 39 overall are the fourth-most in baseball.

"We have made a lot of really good plays on defense, and the one that seems to bite us is more the routine stuff," Maddon said. "That's just repetition and technique. It's just being fundamentally sound, and we're working on it always."

Alex Rios could rejoin the Royals after missing the last 38 games with a broken left hand. He hit .321 with eight RBIs in seven games before being injured.

"With him in the lineup, our batting order just gets that much deeper," Yost said.

Rios is 3 for 5 versus Arrieta.

These teams haven't met since 2011 when the Royals took two of three at home. The Cubs lead the all-time series, 10-8.


Last Updated: 3/19/2024 6:45:22 AM EST.


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