Listen here, Buckaroos, we have quite the matchup to discuss today. The Kansas City Royals are planning to invade PNC Park, set on clashing with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Will Kansas City’s Brady Singer’s 3.48 ERA and sarcastic wink intimidate the Pirates? Who knows? Singer has certainly been known to throw some curve balls, both to the batter and in conversation.
Pitching for the Pirates, we have Jared Jones who comes to the mound boasting a slightly higher ERA of 3.88 but with a lower WHIP, 1.12, while also managing to squeeze in more strikeouts on average. Maybe it's the eye of the tiger, or maybe it's just the wind. Either way, it's bound to be an interesting day on the pitcher's mound.
Charging the field for the Royals are top players like Hunter Renfroe and Salvador Perez. Renfroe leads with a .310 batting average, 6 RBIs, and 2 home runs, a triadic ensemble that has caused more than a few beads of sweat to pour. Perez’s .282 batting average and 24 RBIs suggest he possibly has battery-operated energizers in his shoes. And let's not forget about Bobby Witt Jr., whose dexterity has led him to 7 home runs and 3 stolen bases. Quite an adventurous lad, if you ask me.
Over on the Pirates' side, we have Yasmani Grandal, Nick Gonzales, and Jared Triolo, sporting an impressive array of batting averages in the .300s. Triolo and his 15 RBIs have showcased some interesting ballet on the field while Andrew McCutchen's 11 RBIs, though keeping a low profile, might surprise everyone when they least expect it.
The past seems to favor the Royals, with recent skirmishes between these two teams often concluding in the favor of the boys from KC. The boys from Pittsburgh will probably be looking for some home advantage to sway the odds back in their favor. But then again, baseball isn’t usually that considerate.
The Royals are in a slightly better position this regular season, with an 82-67 win-loss ratio, whereas the Pirates sit at 70-78. But last I checked, a tiger hiding in the shadows has a knack for suddenly jumping forward and surprising everyone. Yeah, I got my animals mixed up there, but you get the point.
No crystal balls here, but if recent results are any guide, the Royals have been causing more waves in the sea recently than the Pirates. But hey, anyone who has seen a pirate movie knows they only need one big wave.
Taking into account all the data, the wind direction, and the price of peanuts, here goes...
Albert’s Prediction: Kansas City Royals by 2