Texas Rangers vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/27/2022

Time: 8:10 p.m. ET

Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

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

DraftKings: Rangers -140, Royals +120

BetMGM: Rangers -140, Royals +120

Caesars: Rangers -140, Royals +120

Rangers: 34-37

Royals: 26-45

The Texas Rangers disappointed me again. That's not something that I haven't said out loud so many people over the last 25 years, but man do they just disappoint me to no end. I can't recall a team that has overachieved so much and at the same time, found a way to be so infuriating. And why is that?

Why has a team that is invested so much money on superstar talent just completely fallen off the rails in a series where they absolutely should not have fallen off the rails? And I'm not going to take anything away from the Washington Nationals. They had a very good weekend. One win required a come from behind victory late in the game, and another one acquired a dominant effort through the first eight innings in which the Rangers almost found a way to win the game.

So pardon me if I am looking into this upcoming three game series against the Kansas City Royals with some hesitancy thinking that they can actually get the job done. Because at least this was set up in a way that the Rangers could have gone into this series with a chance to get above 500. All they had to do was win at least one more game against Washington and at least make it seem like you were going to play like a second place team in the American League West.

And yet surprisingly the Rangers completely fall off the rails against Washington, a team that they are much better than at least on paper, and a team that they should have no problem beating. Because when you look at it, the Rangers actually did get enough from their pitching on Friday and Saturday to have taken the first two games and pushed their winning streak to four games. Coming off that two game series sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies earlier in the week, the Rangers just completely forgot how to play baseball.

It would be one thing if you're going against a dominant pitching rotation and you can understand why the likes of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien would have rough weekends. That however is not the case because no one outside of probably Adolis Garcia had any business hitting the ball this weekend. and I think ultimately that is the most frustrating part about this season. Texas is actually showing it's a good team. But for some reason, it's failing when it shouldn't be.

so how can I look at this series coming up against the Royals and firmly believe that Texas can at least win two of three? Because just saying that the Rangers are facing an inferior team is not good enough in these parts. You actually have to go out, learn how to hit the ball, and score some runs. The Rangers got the one thing that I have in criticizing them for all season long over the weekend that should have won them this series. And that of course, was pitching.

Take out the game on Friday to which the bullpen completely fell off toward the end and you're looking at a situation where the Rangers actually got really good pitching outside of Glenn Otto’s horrendous outing on Sunday. it's kind of frustrating that we are here trying to figure out who the bottom of the rotation will go to and Otto has not proven himself to be that guy.

Kansas City meanwhile, is coming off a series victory against the Oakland Athletics. Which that doesn't say much. Oakland can just be the laughing stock of the league and I know they will find their way to getting a win or two. Kansas City got two.

Nothing would surprise me at this point, but if the Rangers have any semblance of hope, at least Martin Perez is taking the mound. And once again I am asking for everyone involved to please vote for this man because it is the greatest story that is not being told outside of Arlington right now and you need to be paying attention.

I will gladly take Perez in every single start that he has for the rest of the year because I truly believe in that man to have the greatest year that's never been talked about. Texas, get it together before I continue to lose faith in a horrific way. Rangers win 6-2

Rangers are 20-30 the past three years as a favorite.

Rangers are 4-12 the past three seasons as a road favorite.

Royals are 18-37 this season as an underdog.

Rangers:
Josh H. Smith (L) 3B
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Corey Seager (L) SS
Adolis Garcia (R) RF
Kole Calhoun (L) DH
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Jonah Heim (S) C
Brad Miller (L) LF
Leody Taveras (S) CF
SP - Martin Perez

Royals:
Whit Merrifield (R) 2B
Andrew Benintendi (L) LF
Bobby Witt Jr. (R) SS
MJ Melendez (L) C
Carlos Santana (S) 1B
Ryan O'Hearn (L) DH
Michael A. Taylor (R) CF
Kyle Isbel (L) RF
Nicky Lopez (L) 3B
SP - Kris Bubic