Kansas City at Seattle

The Royals won a rare slugfest, edging the Mariners, 7-6, last night. But Kansas City can't be trusted on the road, nor can its offense. The Royals are 4-12 in their away games. They rank 23rd in runs. Vinnie Pasquantino, Sal Perez, and Jac Caglianone are off to slow starts. Seattle starter Emerson Hancock has the best numbers of any Mariners starter with a 2-1 record, 2.86 ERA, and 0.98 WHIP. That is saying a lot, as Seattle has one of the top starting rotations in baseball. Kansas City starter Seth Lugo has been tough, too, with a 1-1 record, 2.63 ERA, and 1.17 WHIP. Lugo, however, is off to his worst start. He gave up seven runs on 14 hits and one walk in 6.1 innings against the Angels last Sunday. Lugo will have to tangle with Julio Rodriguez, who is 6-for-14 in his last three games with two homers and six RBIs. Seattle holds a strong bullpen edge with the fourth-lowest ERA. The Royals, by contrast, have the third-highest bullpen ERA at 5.32. Take the Mariners.