In this article, we will formulate a Royals vs Guardians prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, March 27th, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
The Cleveland Guardians had a fantastic season last year, which they finished with a 92-69 record, winning the AL Central with six wins ahead of the Royals. They came back from 2-1 down in the series against the Detroit Tigers to progress to the ALCS, where the Yankees were better and secured a 4-1 win. This spring, the Guardians had a 13-18 record but secured a pair of wins over the Diamondbacks to conclude the training.
Last season, the Guardians averaged 4.40 runs per game (14th in the MLB) on a .238/.307/.395 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, Cincinnati’s staff had a 3.61 ERA (3rd) and 1.20 WHIP (5th). On offense, Jose Ramirez erupted for the Guardians with a .279 batting average, 39 home runs, and 118 RBI last season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Guardians is Tanner Bibee, who went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 521.0 innings pitched in 2024.
Kansas City Royals Betting Preview
The Kansas City Royals ended the last season with an 86-76 record and made it to the Wild Card, where they defeated the Baltimore Orioles in two low-scoring games on the road (1-0 and 2-1 wins). The Royals met the Yankees in the next round and even had a 1-1 result in the series from the opening two games in New York, but then lost both home games, and the Yankees advanced to the ALCS. Kansas City played very well this spring and recorded 20 wins and 12 losses.
Last year, the Royals averaged 4.54 runs per game (13th in the MLB) on a .248/.306/.403 slash line. The Royals’ pitching staff had a 3.76 ERA (8th) and 1.24 WHIP (12th). Bobby Witt Jr. was the best offensive player for the Royals, with a .332 batting average, 32 home runs, and 109 RBI last season.
Cole Ragans will take the mound for the Royals on Thursday. The 27-year-old southpaw had an 11-9 record in 2024 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 559.0 innings.
Why the Royals will beat the Guardians
- The Guardians have lost four of their last five games.
- The Royals have won seven of their last nine day games against AL Central opponents.
- The favorites have covered the run line in each of the Guardians’ last five games.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven Thursday road games.
- The Guardians have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last three games as road underdogs against American League opponents.
- The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four road games.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Royals’ last nine games as favorites against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Guardians’ last six games as underdogs against the Royals have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Royals’ last 10 games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last six Thursday games at Kauffman Stadium.
Royals vs Guardians Prediction
The Royals won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, but the Guardians won three of the last four. Anything can happen in a divisional rivalry game, so it’s tricky to bet on the winner. However, I am leaning toward the Royals, who have Cole Ragans on the mound, and the last time he started against the Guardians, the Royals secured a 4-3 win. Also, I like Kansas City’s offense a bit better, especially Witt Jr. and catcher Perez, who can cause Bibee a lot of trouble. Go with the Royals.