Kansas City a ‘Royal’ pain only from pitching side by The Gaming Today’s Mark Mayer

Let’s discuss a franchise nobody will mention this week – Kansas City. The ROY-ALS are 48-65 and going nowhere again in 2011, but of late they are committed to their youth program and playing better.

KC went 2-2 at Boston, won two of three at Cleveland and two of three vs. Baltimore. The Royals did lose the series at Detroit, but won the finale after back-to-back 4-3 defeats.

Five players have at least 10 HR, 58 RBI and a .275 BA, while callups Eric Hosmer and Johnny Giavotella have impressed. KC just can’t pitch. There is no Zack Greinke, but there looks to be plenty of value on betting KC as underdogs at present.

• Note the adjacent scoreboard from the Cards-Marlins game played last Saturday. Florida’s Ricky Nolasco has allowed 22 hits in his last two starts, but just 3 ER. Nolasco yielded 10 hits in 7 IP against the Cardinals.

• Watch the next few starts for Cincy’s Johnny Cueto and Oakland’s Brandon McCarthy. Cueto has allowed 3 ER or more just once in 15 starts. McCarthy has won his last four, including eight shutout innings against Tampa Bay.

• Detroit’s Justin Verlander is our Cy Young leader in the AL with 16 wins, allowing more than 1 ER just three times in his last 12 starts. That’s assuming, of course, the Tigers win the Central.

• If the Red Sox and Yankees meet up in the postseason, remember Boston is 9-2 in the series and CC Sabathia is 0-4 with a 7.20 ERA.

• Another playoffs concern could be Texas closer Neftali Feliz. What figured to be a strength is anything but. Feliz has blown six save tries, including Saturday vs. the Indians.

• Hate to say it, but looks like we can put a fork in Pittsburgh. And perennial hard luck left-hander Paul Maholm (6-12) is a victim. The Pirates have scored three runs or less in 17 of his 24 starts.

Visit www.aasiwins.com for all your FREE MLB winners, news, articles, and updates.