Cleveland Indians (65-64) vs. Kansas City Royals (59-72)
September 2, 2021 8:10 pm EDT
The Line: Kansas City Royals -105 / Cleveland Indians -125; Over/Under: -8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals meet Thursday in MLB action from Progressive Field. This will be the final installment in a three-game series. The Indians managed a victory in the Tuesday opener, then on Wednesday Cleveland kept it going with another win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Cleveland jumped out to an early lead in the Tuesday opener, eventually powering out a 7-2 victory. In the Wednesday game two, the Indians posted a 5-3 win in 11 innings. Logan Allen lasted 6.2 frames with two earned on five hits and two walks.
For the starter job in the Thursday matchup, Cleveland will send out Triston McKenzie. In his 19 games (18 starts) this year, McKenzie has a 3-5 record, a 4.83 ERA and 107 Ks in 91.1 innings of work.
Over on the Royals’ side, they showed some late life in the bottom of the ninth Tuesday but had dug themselves too big a hole. In the Wednesday game, Kansas City had an early lead but couldn’t hold on. Jackson Kowar put up 6.0 innings with two earned on five hits and three walks.
For Thursday’s starter gig, the Royals are sending out Mike Minor. This year Minor is 8-11 with a 5.30 ERA and 142 strikeouts.
The Indians are 4-1 in their last five in game three of a series and 6-15 in their last 21 road games with a total of 9.0-10.5. The over is 7-1 in Cleveland’s last eight in game three of a series and 6-2 in their last eight versus the AL Central.
Meanwhile, the Royals are 89-181 in their last 270 versus a team with a winning record and 17-35 in their last 52 versus a right-handed starter. KC is 44-91 in their last 135 home games versus a team with a winning record and 44-103 in their last 147 in game three of a series.
PICK: I’m going to stay with the Indians in this one. McKenzie has been pretty good over his last three starts, posting three earned on seven hits and two walks over a span of 21.0 innings. He’s also 2-0 during that time. McKenzie has had some ups and downs this year but this should be a favorable matchup. If he can get off to a good start I think Cleveland has most of the advantages here.
