Wednesday MLB preview: Royals at Mariners, Red Sox at Twins

Kansas City Royals (25-48) at Seattle Mariners (31-46), 6:40 p.m. ET

Brad Keller (3-8, 3.97 ERA) (KC) +110 / +1.5 runs (-180) / Over 9 runs (EVEN) Marco Gonzales (7-6, 4.50 ERA) (SEA) -120 / -1.5 runs (+150) / Under 9 runs (-120)

MLB free play: Royals moneyline

The Royals are just 1-9 in their last 10 games started by Brad Keller, but they look like the right side to wrap up a three-game set with the Mariners.

Keller has been plagued by walks this season but has cleaned things up in his last three starts, where he has allowed just four free passes. The results have been much better for Keller in those efforts, as he's pitched to a 2.05 ERA and allowed Kansas City's bullpen to get a bit of a breather (22 innings pitched).

Marco Gonzales will counter for Seattle, and he's been roughed up by these Royals batters in the past. Second baseman Whit Merrifield, shortstop Adalberto Mondesi, outfielder Jorge Soler and catcher Martin Maldonado are a combined 18-for-38 (.474) all-time against Gonzales. Kansas City, which is averaging 6.5 runs per game in its last six contests, should jump out to an early lead and never look back.

Boston Red Sox (40-35) at Minnesota Twins (48-24), 8:10 p.m. ET

Eduardo Rodriguez (7-4, 4.67 ERA) (BOS) +105 / +1.5 runs (-180) / Over 9.5 runs (+105) Kyle Gibson (7-3, 3.70 ERA) (MIN) -115 / -1.5 runs (+150) / Under 9.5 runs (-125)

MLB Free Play: Twins moneyline first five innings (-125)

The Twins should pad their impressive record with another win against the Red Sox.

Kyle Gibson will start for Minnesota, and he has a 3.02 ERA in his last eight starts. Gibson currently sports a career-best walk rate (2.0 per nine innings) and strikeout rate (9.2 per nine innings) in 2019. He's excelled in five starts at Target Field this season, going 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA. Gibson's opponent batting average in those efforts is .177.

Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in three previous outings against Twins. His batting average allowed in those efforts is .302. Rodriguez's road splits are weak this year, as he's pitched to a 5.23 ERA and opponent batting average of .295 in eight tries. The Twins are a modest 13th in batting average at home this year (.256), but they're sixth in OPS at .804.

Considering how both bullpens were taxed during Tuesday's 17-inning marathon, it may be best to make a play in the first five innings market rather than full-time. Also, if both managers decide to give some of their big bats a rest, an Under play would not be a bad idea.