Cleveland Guardians vs Kansas City Royals: Cleveland Expected to Take Series

One series that will be getting less attention is the Cleveland Guardians vs Kansas City Royals. There’s a good reason for that. The Cleveland Guardians’ standings show the team at 37-40. The Kansas City Royals are just plain bad. So, you can’t expect fans to be excited about these three games. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few decent betting opportunities waiting to be found.

Cleveland is a bit of a disappointment with its record. But due to playing in the lackluster AL Central, the Guardians are just 1.5 games out of the division lead. The problem for Cleveland is a familiar one – offense. Cleveland is No. 27 in runs scored. Cleveland is No. 17 in team batting average but dead last in home runs. The Guardians aren’t a good enough hitting team to string together base hits, so they struggle to score.

Cleveland’s pitching has been good and kept the team in many games. The Guardians are No. 9 in team ERA and tied for fourth with 26 saves. Pitching hasn’t been a problem this season.

If it wasn’t for the hapless Oakland A’s, the Royals would have the worst record in baseball. As it is, Kansas City is three games ahead of Oakland in the MLB standings, but behind everybody else. The Royals are No. 28 in runs scored and No. 28 in team ERA, so they’re equally bad offensively and defensively. With a run differential of -122, the Royals should be 27-51 instead of their actual record of 22-56. Mix in a little bad luck with a lot of bad play, and you get the 2023 Kansas City Royals.

Tuesday’s Game

The MLB odds today have the Guardians and Gavin Williams -140 over Brady Singer and the Royals. The total on the game is 9 over (-115). Williams is making just his second MLB start. He allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings against Oakland on June 21. Williams has solid numbers in the minor leagues this season and was Cleveland’s No. 1 draft pick in 2021.

The singer was Kansas City’s No. 1 draft pick in 2018 and was solid last season. But he’s struggled in 2023, going 4-7 with a 6.34 ERA. That’s more than three runs higher than last year’s ERA of 3.23. Kansas City is 6-9 when Singer starts, losing five of his previous six starts.

The Guardians have bounced back well from a loss, going 22-17, while the Royals are 17-38 after losing. Kansas City did get bet a little bit overnight, with the odds opening at Cleveland -145. Singer has proven a little more at the MLB level and isn’t the worst bet you can make in this spot.

Wednesday’s Game

Game 2 of the Cleveland Guardians vs Kansas City Royals series will see Logan Allen taking the mound for Cleveland. Kansas City hasn’t named a starter. Austin Cox is a possibility here for the Royals.

Allen has pitched well, and the Guardians have won his last five starts, moving to 8-3 on the season with him on the mound. Cleveland is 4-1 when he starts away games. The Royals are 6-17 when facing a left-handed starting pitcher.

Cox has been a starter in the minor leagues, but the Royals have been using him in relief. He pitched 3 2/3 innings against Tampa Bay on June 22. He’s thrown well, allowing just two hits and no runs in 12 1/3 innings since being called up from AAA. The under is possible in this game if the total comes out at 8.5 or higher.

Thursday’s Game

The Cleveland Guardians vs Kansas City Royals series ends with Shane Bieber and Zack Greinke slated to start. Bieber has been pretty close to his usual self. Greinke has been a shell of his former self, with him posting his worst numbers since 2005.

The Guardians are just 6-10 with Bieber on the mound. Cleveland simply hasn’t scored when he pitches. The Guardians have scored three runs or less in 10 of his 16 starts.

Kansas City is 3-13 when Greinke takes the mound and has lost his last eight starts. The Royals are 2-4 when he starts as a home underdog, which will be the case in this spot. The line will come out slightly on the high side, but it’s Bieber or nothing in the finale. Cleveland is 3-0 when he starts off of back-to-back losing efforts. The Guardians should make it 4-0 in this game.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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