Cleveland Guardians vs
Kansas City RoyalsPredictions & Preview

Cleveland Guardians Favored to Extend Winning Streak Against Struggling Kansas City Royals

The Cleveland Guardians have been dominating the AL Central with a 51-27 record, while the Kansas City Royals have seen their early season success dwindle with a 44-38 record. The pitching matchup for Thursday's game will feature Ben Lively for the Guardians and Michael Wacha for the Royals. Despite the close betting line, Cleveland is favored to continue their winning streak against Kansas City.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Guardians -111 | Royals +100
• Spread: Guardians -1.5 (+145) | Royals +1.5 (-165)
• Total: Over/Under 9 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Cleveland will win straight-up is 53%.

Cleveland vs Kansas City Stats

Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians have been on a hot streak, winning seven of their past eight series thanks to an impressive 25-18 road record. The team's offense, led by Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez, now ranks 14th in baseball while their rotation continues to thrive. With a current power ranking of 6 and a strong offense and defense, the Guardians are considered a genuine World Series threat in 2024. Veteran pitcher Ben Lively has been a reliable force on the mound with a 3.03 ERA, giving the team a chance to win every time he pitches. In their recent game against the Orioles, the Guardians struggled offensively, managing just five hits in a 4-2 loss despite a solid outing from pitcher Carlos Carrasco. With a record of 51-27, Cleveland is showing they are a force to be reckoned with this season.

Kansas City Royals Analysis

The Kansas City Royals started the 2024 season strong led by Bobby Witt, but have struggled lately with just five wins in their past 17 games, dropping them to third in the AL Central. Their pitching staff ranks 10th in team ERA, but their offense has been faltering, especially at home. They need to regain momentum quickly to stay in the Wild Card race. Veteran pitcher Michael Wacha will start for the Royals, coming off six straight outings allowing two or fewer earned runs. In their last game, the Royals defeated the Marlins with a solid performance from Brady Singer. The Royals have a power ranking of 25, ranking 13th in offense and 9th in defense, with a 44-38 overall record. Cleveland recently won 2 out of 3 matchups against Kansas City.

Royals Set to Challenge Guardians in Highly Anticipated Road Game

The Guardians have been performing exceptionally well recently, making them the favored team for the upcoming road game. However, it should be noted that the Royals have a strong record of 27-15 at home this season, presenting a significant challenge for the Guardians. Additionally, the Royals have had success in their past 10 head-to-head matchups, and their previous meeting in Kansas City resulted in a sweep in 2023. While the teams split their two games in 2024, it is anticipated that the Royals will secure a close victory to kick off this series. This match promises to be a competitive and compelling contest between two formidable teams.

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