Stephen nover
PLAY: KANSAS CITY ROYALS
RATING: DOUBLE DIME PLAY
I understand it's risky to lay a price with a team that so far hasn't been playing well, which is the case here with the 2-6 Royals.
But I don't see the A's sweeping the Royals in Kansas City especially with today's starting pitching matchup, which pits Jesse Hahn versus southpaw Jason Vargas.
Hahn is a long innings reliever, No. 5 type starter, who couldn't crack Oakland's starting rotation out of spring training. But he'll get the start here - his first of the season - replacing Raul Alcantara. The A's likely made a mistake in giving Alcantara a starting rotation spot. But Hahn isn't much, if any, of an upgrade. The A's gave Hahn nine starts last season - and he posted a 6.02 ERA.
The Royals' problem is putting up just eight runs when having had 52 base runners in scoring position. That's the worst mark in the majors and had largely contributed to Kansas City going 19 scoreless innings. But the Roya²ls showed signs of breaking out of their slump scoring a combined three runs during the eighth and ninth innings last night.
Vargas underwent Tommy John surgery in 2015. It often can take two years for a pitcher to fully recover from that serious elbow surgery. I liked what I saw from Vargas in his opening start this season. He beat the Astros, 5-1, at Houston last Friday displaying excellent command and good velocity on his fastball. Vargas gave up one run in six innings allowing six hits with six strikeouts and one walk.
The A's have owned the Royals lately winning eight in a row against them. However, the Royals are 7-0 during Vargas' past seven starts at Kauffman Stadium. Vargas has thrown two shutouts against Oakland and owns a lifetime 3.22 ERA versus the A's.
Oakland also has been terrible when facing lefties losing 22 of the past 30 times.
HIM AND VEGAS SHARP...... SAME PERSON WITH THE SAME PLAYS.... HE GOT BANNED HERE FOR ALL THE LIE AND BS RECORDS.....
BUYER BEWARE: http://www.handicapperswatchdog.com/profile.php?rdr=1&h=Vegas+Sharp&t=2#History
