September 28, 2025

Game Preview

Written by: David Mitchell

David has been analyzing MLB matchups and umpire tendencies for professional bettors since 2018.

KC vs ATH: Betting Preview & Props (Sep 28)

Last updated: September 28, 2025

Game Time: TBD

Matchup Setup

The matchup between the Kansas City Royals (KC) and the Oakland Athletics (ATH) presents an intriguing battle with no betting odds currently available. This game will showcase contrasting pitching styles and lineup strengths, offering bettors a chance to delve into pitcher-batter matchups for potential edges.

Pitcher Breakdown

Pitching Matchup: Cole Ragans (KC) vs Brady Basso (ATH)

Cole Ragans (KC):

Pitch Arsenal:

- Four-Seam Fastball (49% usage, 95.3 mph) - Changeup (19% usage, 84.4 mph) - Slider (14% usage, 84.8 mph) - Curveball (13% usage, 80.1 mph) - Cutter (5% usage, 89.9 mph)

Cole Ragans is a velocity-heavy pitcher with a dominant fastball. The Athletics lineup averages .263 this season but projects to a .243 xBA against Ragans' arsenal, indicating a potential edge for Ragans.

Brady Basso (ATH):

Pitch Arsenal:

- Four-Seam Fastball (49% usage, 92.9 mph) - Curveball (18% usage, 77.8 mph) - Cutter (17% usage, 87.8 mph) - Changeup (11% usage, 86.2 mph) - Sinker (4% usage, 92.1 mph)

Brady Basso brings a balanced pitch mix to the mound. The Royals lineup averages .251 this season and projects to a .256 xBA against Basso's offerings, showing a slight advantage for KC hitters.

Lineup Matchups

Lineup Matchups & Batting Edges

KC vs Brady Basso:

Team Comparison:

- Season BA: .251 - Projected xBA vs Basso: .256

Key Performers:

Salvador Perez: Season BA .244 → xBA vs Basso .268 (+24 points)
Maikel Garcia: Season BA .284 → xBA vs Basso .197 (-87 points)

ATH vs Cole Ragans:

Team Comparison:

- Season BA: .263 - Projected xBA vs Ragans: .243

Key Performers:

Jacob Wilson: Season BA .311 → xBA vs Ragans .227 (-84 points)
Shea Langeliers: Season BA .277 → xBA vs Ragans .269 (-8 points)

Contact vs Strikeout Profile

Strikeout Risks & Rewards

KC's Projected K-rate: 21.8% vs Basso — up 3.3% from their 18.5% season average.
ATH's Projected K-rate: 23.9% vs Ragans — up 2.4% from their 21.5% season average.

Higher strikeout projections suggest potential value in strikeout props, particularly for Ragans.

Behind the Plate

Behind the Plate: Umpire assignment has not been announced, which makes prop volatility a concern.

What to Bet On

📢 Prop Alert: Jac Caglianone (.158 → .257, +99 points) meets betting lean criteria!

⚡ K Prop Alert: Cole Ragans strikeout OVER - ATH's K-rate jumps to 23.9% vs this arsenal!

🔑 Key Takeaways

Jac Caglianone shows a significant increase in expected batting average, meeting our prop alert criteria.
Cole Ragans has a favorable matchup for strikeouts against an Athletics lineup projected for a higher K-rate.
No umpire data is available, adding volatility to prop bets.
Overall, the game offers potential edges with Ragans' strikeout prop and Caglianone's batting performance.

🧠 FAQs

Q: Who is the best betting prop for the KC vs ATH game? A: Jac Caglianone shows a strong increase in xBA, making him a standout prop opportunity.

Q: Is the umpire pitcher-friendly? A: Umpire assignment has not been announced.

Q: What time is the KC vs ATH game? A: Game time is TBD.

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