In this article we will formulate a Guardians vs Royals prediction for this MLB game on Monday, September 8th at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
The Cleveland Guardians are 72-70 this season after they won three out of four against Tampa Bay by scores of 2-4, 7-1, 3-2, and 2-1. In their game four win, Cleveland trailed 1-0 in the fifth inning, but scored the last two runs to escape with the victory. The Guardians recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Arias and Ramirez, who both had one RBI in the win. Cleveland started Messick, who allowed eight hits and one earned run over 6.0 innings for the win, while Smith picked up the save.
Prior to that series, the Guardians lost two out of three against the Red Sox, but did win two out of three against the Mariners before that. Cleveland has won four of their last five games and they are currently third in the AL Central standings. The Cleveland pitching staff has a 3.91 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and a .246 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 552 runs with a .224 batting average and a .295 on base percentage this season. Jose Ramirez has led Cleveland with 27 home runs and 74 RBIs, while Kyle Manzardo has added 25 home runs and 63 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Cleveland is Slade Cecconi, who is 5-6 with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP over 107.1 innings pitched this season.
Kansas City Royals Betting Preview
The Kansas City Royals are 73-70 this year after they won two out of three against Minnesota by scores of 2-1, 11-2, and 1-5. In their game three loss, Kansas City only managed one run in the sixth inning in the defeat. The Royals recorded seven hits in the game and they were led by Pasquantino, who went 1-4 with one RBI in the loss. KC started Lorenzen, who allowed seven hits and four earned runs over 5.1 innings for the loss, while Lynch allowed one earned run in relief.
Prior to that series, the Royals lost two out of three against the Angels and two out of three against the Tigers. Kansas City has won three of their last four games and they are second in the AL Central standings. The Kansas City pitching staff has a 3.64 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .240 opponent batting average, while the offense has scored 551 runs with a .245 batting average and a .307 on base percentage this season. Vinnie Pasquantino has led KC with 29 home runs and 99 RBIs, while Salvador Perez has added 25 home runs and 81 RBIs this year. The projected starting pitcher for Kansas City is Ryan Bergert, who is 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP over 69.0 innings pitched this year.
Why the Royals will beat the Guardians
- The Guardians have lost each of their last five games as home favorites against the Royals following a road win.
- The Royals have won each of their last six games against AL Central opponents following a home loss.
- The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Royals’ last six games.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as home favorites following a win.
- The Royals have led after 5 innings in five of their last six games at Progressive Field against opponents that held a winning record.
- The Royals have led after 3 innings in four of their last five night games.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Royals’ last nine games have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Four of the Guardians’ last five games against AL Central opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Guardians’ last nine night games against AL Central opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Royals’ last seven night games at Progressive Field.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Jose Ramirez has hit a home run in each of the Guardians’ last two home games against AL Central opponents.
- Jose Ramirez has recorded at least one hit in each of the Guardians’ last 11 night games against AL Central opponents that held a winning record.
- Will Brennan has recorded at least one Double in each of his last three appearances with the Guardians as favorites against AL opponents.
- Jose Ramirez ranks T3rd in the league in Steals (37) this season.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- Maikel Garcia has hit a home run in three of the Royals’ last four games against opponents that held a winning record.
- Randal Grichuk has recorded at least one hit in each of his last eight appearances with his team as an underdog against the Guardians.
- Randal Grichuk has recorded a Double in three of his last four appearances with his team as an underdog against the Guardians.
- Bobby Witt Jr. ranks 3rd in the league in Hits (160) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Guardians rank 30th in the league for hits this season (1042).
- The Guardians rank 30th in the league for batting average this season (.224).
- The Royals rank 2nd in the league for strikeouts against this season (967).
- The Royals rank 29th in the league for walks this season (380).
Guardians vs Royals Prediction
These two teams come into this series battling for second in the AL Central standings, as they try to keep their slim wild card chances alive. The Guardians are 35-33 at home this year, while the Royals are 33-35 on the road. Kansas City has a very good pitching staff and they are starting Bergert, who has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight outings. Cleveland is going with Cecconi, who has allowed 7, 3, 2, 6, and 5 earned runs in his last five starts. Take the Royals to win here.