Cleveland Guardians vs
Kansas City RoyalsPredictions & Preview

Kansas City Royals favored over Cleveland Guardians in key AL Central Series opener at Kauffman Stadium, with Michael Wacha set to take the mound against Gavin Williams

The Cleveland Guardians are set to face off against the Kansas City Royals in a key AL Central Series opener at Kauffman Stadium. The Guardians are coming off a strong 6-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates, while the Royals suffered a 7-2 loss to the Houston Astros. Young right-hander Gavin Williams will start for the Guardians, while veteran righty Michael Wacha will take the mound for the Royals. Kansas City is the current betting favorite at -107.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Guardians -105 | Royals -107
• Spread: Guardians +0.25 (-38) | Royals -0.25 (+10)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Kansas City will win straight-up is 52%.

Cleveland vs Kansas City Stats

Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians have had a successful season so far, currently leading the AL Central standings by 3.5 games. The team has shown strength offensively with a .239/.310/.396 slash line and an average of 4.55 runs per game. Third baseman Jose Ramirez has been a standout player with impressive stats. However, pitcher Gavin Williams has struggled in his first 11 starts, posting a 2-7 record with a 4.99 ERA. Overall, Cleveland ranks 13th in offense, 6th in defense, and holds a 78-59 record this season, placing them at a power ranking of 17. The team will need to regain momentum to maintain their lead in the division.

Kansas City Royals Analysis

The Kansas City Royals have been performing well this season, currently holding the final spot in the AL Wild Card race. Their offense ranks 7th in the league, averaging 4.8 runs per game with a .733 team OPS. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. has been a standout player with impressive stats. The team has shown aggressive baserunning, ranking 9th in stolen bases. Veteran pitcher Michael Wacha has a solid record, with an 11-6 record and a 3.50 ERA. The Royals have demonstrated significant improvement from previous seasons and are in contention for the postseason. In their upcoming game, they will face the Cleveland Indians, who have won 2 out of their last 3 matchups against Kansas City.

Kansas City Royals Favored Over Cleveland Guardians Based on Recent Performance

Based on recent performance in their last seven starts, Gavin Williams has a record of 2-5 with a 5.24 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP in 34.1 innings, while Michael Wacha boasts a 4-0 record with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP in 42.2 innings. The ability to hit with runners in scoring position is crucial, and there is a notable discrepancy between the Guardians and Royals in this aspect, with the Guardians ranking 16th in MLB with a .755 team OPS compared to the Royals at fourth place with a .809 team OPS. It is recommended to consider the Kansas City Royals as the favored team due to their current superior performance.

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