Royals vs Guardians Preview: Cleveland With Chance to Make Up Ground

The Royals vs Guardians preview notes that Kansas City is exactly what the doctor ordered for Cleveland. The Guardians have an excellent opportunity to win at least three of the four games. That’s key for a Cleveland team battling for the top spot in the AL Central. The Guardians have to win the games they’re supposed. And Kansas City is a team they’re supposed to beat.

The Royals have been dismal at home and away this season. If not for the ineptitude of the Oakland A’s, the Royals would have the worst record in baseball. The Royals and A’s are within a game or so of each other to see who the worst team in baseball is.

The Royals are 13-31 at home and 12-31 on the road. Regardless of the location, the Royals are just plain bad. Kansas City has a run differential of -141, which is actually better than Oakland and Colorado. However, the Rockies are 7.5 games in front of the Royals.

Kansas City can’t hit, ranking No. 26 in team batting average and No. 29 in runs scored. The Royals’ on-base percentage is the worst in the league, and only two teams have drawn fewer walks. Kansas City is No. 28 in home runs. The highlight of the Royals offense is that they’re tied for the league lead with 19 triples. Cleveland is the other team with 19.

On the mound, it’s just as bad. Kansas City is No. 28 in team ERA and No. 29 in saves, with just 12 in 24 attempts.

The Guardians don’t hit much themselves, ranking No. 27 in runs scored. But the Guardians can pitch. Cleveland is No. 7 in team ERA, and that’s the difference between a team flirting with a .500 record and a team winning less than 30% of its games.

Thursday’s Game

The Royals are sending out the worst pitcher on today’s MLB schedule in Jordan Lyles. Lyles is 1-11 with a 6.68 ERA. The Royals lost his first 15 starts of the season before defeating the Rays 9-4 with him on the mound on June 24. It’s been nearly two weeks since he’s started.

The Guardians are countering with Tanner Bibee, who is 5-2 with a 3.46 ERA. Cleveland is just 6-6 when he starts. But that hasn’t stopped the sportsbook from making Cleveland a -215 favorite. The total is 8.5-over (-120).

Lyles has had three starts in which he allowed three or fewer runs. The Royals have allowed at least four runs in 13 of his 16 outings this season. The line is high, so you may want to take Cleveland on the run line. The MLB point spreads (run lines) have Cleveland -1.5 at -110. Cleveland doesn’t score much, but you have to think they can generate some offense against Lynch.

Friday’s Game

The Royals vs Guardians preview has Daniel Lynch and Aaron Civale as the scheduled pitchers for this Friday night game. Lynch hasn’t been all that bad for Kansas City. He brings a 2-3 record and a 4.14 ERA into the game. Kansas City is 3-4 in his seven starts.

Civale is 2-2 with a 2.96 ERA, and the Guardians are 4-4 when he starts. He doesn’t get a lot of run support. But the Guardians average 4.52 runs against left-handed starters and 3.78 runs against righties. Cleveland should be able to score enough to get the win, but this could be a game to look at the under.

Saturday’s Game

Brady Singer should get the start for the Royals against Cleveland’s Gavin Williams. Singer hasn’t been able to match his success of last season. He’s 5-7 this season with a 5.52 ERA after recording a 3.23 ERA last year. Kansas City is 7-10 in the games Singer has started.

Williams is still getting his feet wet in the big leagues, making just three lifetime starts. He’s 0-1 with a 3.79 ERA and faced the Royals a few weeks ago. He allowed one hit in seven innings. But the Royals have now seen him once and should make a few adjustments. This is another one where the under could be the best play.

Sunday’s Game

The Royals vs Guardians preview notes the Royals have not named a starting pitcher to face Cleveland’s Shane Bieber in the finale. It doesn’t matter who Kanas City sends to the mound here. They’re going to be huge underdogs. Bieber is 5-5 with a 3.46 ERA, so he’s not having his best season. It’s not bad. But it’s not as good as he’s pitched the last three seasons.

The Guardians are just 7-11 with Bieber on the mound this season. Cleveland was 43-19 with Bieber on the mound in 2020-22. But it’s almost impossible to go against him in this spot. The odds will be high, but they’ll also be justified.

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