The Kansas City Royals (18-14 SU, 22-10 RL, 13-19 O/U) and Oakland Athletics (11-18 SU, 15-14 RL, 14-15 O/U) will both be fighting to snap modest losing streaks in the BetUS Sportsbook when they battle at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum tonight at 10 PM ET.

The Royals have dropped three straight games and lost to the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 as a +130 underdog on Sunday.

Veteran starter Kyle Davies gave up just one run on three hits in six innings for Kansas City despite failing to record a decision while the game’s five combined runs played Under the posted over/under total (9.5).

The Athletics dropped their second consecutive game on Sunday, getting shut out by Toronto 5-0 as a -120 favorite while the five total runs played Under the 8.5-run Over/Under total.

Tonight, the Royals will hand the ball to right-hander Luke Hochevar (0-0, 0.00 ERA) while the A’s counter with right-hander Trevor Cahill (1-2, 3.82 ERA).

Cahill has given up two runs in 13 innings covering his last two starts and limited the Texas Rangers to just one run on five hits in seven innings of a 9-4 win on Thursday.

Hochevar will make his first start of the season since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha to take the place of All-Star closer Joakim Soria while veteran starter Sidney Ponson moves to the bullpen.

Hochevar, who went 6-12 with a 5.51 ERA in 22 starts for Kansas City in 2008, recorded a perfect 5-0 record with a microscopic 0.90 ERA in six minor league starts, while tossing eight shutout innings on Thursday, allowing just five hits while striking out nine.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and MLB Free Pick.

The Royals are 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.

The Royals are 20-6 in their last 26 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.

The Royals are 1-6 in Hochevar’s last 7 starts during game 1 of a series.

The Athletics are 12-5 in their last 17 home games vs. a right-handed starter.

The Athletics are 7-3 in their last 10 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.

The Over is 4-1 in Hochevar’s last 5 road starts.

The Under is 7-0 in Athletics last 7 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.

The Royals are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings.

The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Oakland.

The Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.

MLB Odds

Kansas City Royals +1½ -190

Luke Hochevar –R +110

Oakland Athletics -1½ +160

Over 8½ -105

Under 8½ -115

Analysis: The Kansas City Royals have won six consecutive games against the A’s but have struggled at the plate during their three-game slide, scoring just four runs over the three games and will face an Oakland team that ranks fourth in the majors in team ERA (3.88).

The Royals will have a chance however as Oakland has struggled at the plate all season long, ranking dead last in the AL in runs (121) and batting average (.236).

First and foremost, BetUS MLB sports betting members, with Cahill blossoming and Hochevar going ‘lights out’ in the minors, not to mention both teams struggling to score runs, I like the Under to play out for the sixth time in the last nine meetings between these ballclubs.

I’m also going to take the A’s to win this contest straight up and snap their six-game skid against the Royals as Trevor Cahill narrowly out-pitches Luke Hochevar, who will find out quickly that he’s not in the minors despite the fact that the A’s have struggled immensely all season long to score runs consistently.

MLB Free Picks: Under 8½ Total Runs/Oakland A’s SU