Kansas City Royals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/24/2022

Time: 9:40 p.m. ET

Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ

Where to watch: Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Arizona

DraftKings: Diamondbacks -170, Royals +150

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: NL

Royals: 14-26

Diamondbacks: 21-22

If you are a Kansas City Royals fan, my condolences. I never would've thought your team would be as ridiculous garbage as it is, but man, Sunday was the ultimate instance where the Royals have just folded and have accepted their fate as bad.

The Royals had a 6-0 lead after the sixth inning. They had a five-run inning after RBI doubles from Hunter Dozier and Carlos Santana. Brady Singer went all the way to the seventh inning in 95 pitches. And then they just collapsed in a heap of something.

The Twins responded with five runs in the eighth and then two more in the ninth to pull off the 7-6 comeback win in Kansas City to complete the three-game sweep. It was bad. Just ultimately, unequivocally bad.

"The guys in the back have been so good all season picking each other up," Royals' manager Mike Matheny said. "It was unfortunate today because they have been good for us, but that one stings."

This is why no one likes the bullpen. You can have your starting pitcher have an all-time performance, likely never to be had again. And then he just goes off to do that. Just an unreal situation that makes no sense.

If you were looking for a team that is ready to be extreme sellers at the trade deadline, here's your top choice. I think this team had some sort of desire to contend in a wide-open AL Central this year, and if they're going to keep this kind of performance up, who wants to even deal with it?

That's one way to get back close to .500 baseball. Just play a four-game series against the Chicago Cubs. The Arizona Diamondbacks ended up taking three of four this weekend over the Cubs, but lost the finale 5-4 at Wrigley Field on Sunday.

"These outings suck," Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy said. "The team fought back so much, and you're responsible. These are the hard ones. You don't want to be the guy on the mound that ruins it."

Arizona rallied back after an early three-run triple from the Cubs, and eventually taking the lead on a fielder's choice from David Peralta. But then the Cubs hit two homers in the eighth and eventually blew the game.

"I thought overall these past four games, I was proud of the way we came back after what we did in (Los Angeles)," manager Torey Lovullo said. "We were in a position to sweep a team on the road. We just couldn't get it done."

Realistically, the Diamondbacks are allowed an off night. This group is only a game below .500 and I know D-backs fans would actually take that in a heartbeat. There's still time for them to maybe stay pesky and show the future is bright.

The Royals are just bad right now and honestly, it wouldn't shock me to see the D-backs sweep the Royals right out of here. There just comes a time where you understand which team is better than the other. Give me Arizona. Words I still never thought I'd say. Diamondbacks win 7-2

Royals are 1-9 this season as an underdog of +150 or more.

Royals are 6-11 on the road this season.

Diamondbacks are 5-7 as a home favorite of -150 or more the past three seasons.

Royals:
Whit Merrifield (R) 2B
Andrew Benintendi (L) LF
Hunter Dozier (R) RF
MJ Melendez (L) DH
Emmanuel Rivera (R) 3B
Carlos Santana (S) 1B
Kyle Isbel (L) CF
Nicky Lopez (L) SS
Sebastian Rivero (R) C
SP - Jonathan Heasley

Diamondbacks:
Daulton Varsho (L) C
Jordan Luplow (R) LF
Ketel Marte (S) 2B
Christian Walker (R) DH
Pavin Smith (L) 1B
Jake McCarthy (L) RF
Alek Thomas (L) CF
Geraldo Perdomo (S) SS
Drew Ellis (R) 3B
SP - Zac Gallen

Batting average: Andrew Benintendi -- .329

Hits: Andrew Benintendi -- 48

Home runs: Salvador Perez -- 6

RBI: Andrew Benintendi -- 18

Wins: Collin Snider -- 3

Saves: Scott Barlow -- 4

ERA: Brad Keller -- 3.20

Batting average: Daulton Varsho -- .262

Hits: Daulton Varsho -- 38

Home runs: Christian Walker -- 10

RBI: Daulton Varsho -- 20

Wins: Four tied -- 3

Saves: Mark Melancon -- 9

ERA: Merrill Kelly -- 3.49