The Cleveland Guardians (40-41) and the Kansas City Royals (31-51) play the middle contest of a 3-game set at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Guardians vs. Royals odds with MLB picks and predictions.
Season series: Guardians lead series 5-3
The Guardians saw their 4-game win streak in this series snapped with a 4-3 walk-off win by the Royals Friday night in the series opener.
The Royals have won 3 of the 5 meetings against the Guardians at Kauffman Stadium this season, although Kansas City is just 10-21 in the past 31 overall at home.
Guardians vs. Royals projected starters
RHP Triston McKenzie vs. RHP Jonathan Heasley
McKenzie (5-6, 3.71 ERA) makes his 15th start of the season, and 16th overall performance. He has a 0.98 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 through 87 1/3 IP.
- Is 3-5 with a 3.72 ERA and .211 opponents’ batting average in 58 IP across 9 road starts and 1 relief appearance this season.
- Allowed 2 ER, 2 H and 2 BB in just 3 IP in a loss at Kansas City April 7 in his first outing of the season.
Heasley (1-4, 4.76 ERA) makes his 11th start of the season. He has a 1.43 WHIP, 4.6 BB/9 and 6.7 K/9 through 51 IP.
- Has managed a 1-3 record, 5.40 ERA and .256 opponents’ batting average across 21 2/3 IP in 4 home outings.
- Yielded 3 ER, 6 H and 3 BB across 6 IP in a no-decision at Cleveland May 30.
Guardians vs. Royals odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Guardians -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Royals +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians -1.5 (+125) | Royals +1.5 (-155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Guardians vs. Royals picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 5, Royals 2
Money line
The GUARDIANS (-130) are a strong play on the road behind McKenzie, a.k.a. “Sticks”. The right-hander twirled 7 scoreless IP with just 1 H and 1 BB allowed with 7 K in a win over the New York Yankees last time out.
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW22 for 20% OFF full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 8/31/2022. Subscribe today and start winning!
Run line/Against the spread
The GUARDIANS -1.5 (+125) are worth a roll of the dice with a small-unit play. All 5 of Cleveland’s victories against Kansas City this season were by 4 or more runs. So if you like the Guardians to win, you should feel confidence in playing the run line.
Over/Under
The UNDER 8.5 (+105) is the lean and a value at plus-money.
There is a little concern with the Royals using the inconsistent Heasley, but Kansas City should have issues scoring on McKenzie. The Under has cashed in 3 of the past 4 meetings in this series, too, including Friday’s series opener.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional MLB coverage:
BaseballHQ Fantasy Baseball
BaseballPress.com: Your source for every MLB lineup
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]