The Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Guardians meet Tuesday in MLB action from Progressive Field. This will be the second installment in a three-game series this week. In Monday’s opener the Royals powered out a two-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals had a rough series over the weekend, losing all three games versus the Yankees. In the Monday matchup versus Cleveland, Kansas City got a two-run homer from Salvador Perez and two RBI from Edward Olivares in a 5-3 win. Kyle Isbel and Bobby Witt each notched a pair of hits as well.
It’ll be Zack Greinke in the starter role for the Royals on Tuesday. This year in 19 starts Greinke is 1-10 with a 5.40 ERA and 65 Ks in 96.2 innings. Greinke recorded a loss in his last start with 4.0 innings and two earned versus the Tigers.
Cleveland Guardians
Over on the Guardians’ side, they were able to win two of three from the Phillies over the weekend. In Monday’s matchup Cleveland out-hit the Royals 10-7 but couldn’t get much going offensively. Amed Rosario had three hits with a run, and Myles Straw added two hits and two RBI.
Aaron Civale will be in the starter role for the Guardians on Tuesday. In 11 starts this year Civale is 3-2 with a 2.71 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 63.0 innings. Civale gave up two earned in 5.1 innings versus Pittsburgh during a no-decision in his last start.
Cleveland Guardians Team Facts
- The underdogs have won five of the Guardians’ last six games.
- The Guardians have covered the run line seven of their last eight night games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Guardians have trailed after 7 innings in three of their last four games as favourites.
- The Guardians have led after 5 innings in each of their last six Tuesday games against the Royals at Progressive Field.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last four games as favourites.
Kansas City Royals Team Facts
- The Royals have lost each of their last 12 road games against American League opponents following a win.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in each of their last six road games against AL Central opponents following a win.
- The Royals have led after 7 innings in four of their last six games as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
- The Royals have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Royals’ last three games as underdogs against AL Central opponents.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Myles Straw has recorded at least one hit in each of the Guardians’ last eight night games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Myles Straw has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Guardians’ last three games as favourites.
- Josh Naylor has recorded at least one RBI in five of the Guardians’ last six night games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Josh Bell has hit a home run in two of the Guardians’ last three games against opponents that held a losing record.
- Josh Naylor ranks 7th amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.306) this season.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- Zack Greinke has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last four appearances in night games against teams that held a losing record.
- Salvador Perez has hit a home run in each of the Royals’ last two games as underdogs.
- Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded at least one hit in each of the Royals’ last eight games at Progressive Field.
- Bobby Witt Jr. has recorded two or more total bases in each of his last six road appearances after playing the previous day.
- Bobby Witt Jr. ranks T4th in the league in Steals (28) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Cleveland Guardians ranks 1st in the league for strikeouts against this season (698).
- The Cleveland Guardians ranks 30th in the league for home runs this season (74).
- The Kansas City Royals ranks 1st in the league for triples this season (25).
- The Kansas City Royals ranks 30th in the league for on-base percentage this season (.292).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll stick with the Guardians here. Civale hasn’t earned a decision in either of his last two starts, but he’s pitching well lately. In his most recent three starts Civale has four combined earned runs in 17.1 innings on 12 hits and two walks. On Monday the Guardians had a couple of bad offensive innings, but considering Logan Allen went 7.0 innings and Daniel Norris was the only bullpen representative, Cleveland should be in good shape after Civale exits. The Guardians need to get the bats going, but considering they’ve had three or more runs in seven of their last eight I like the offense to bounce back.