The Kansas City Royals (29-73) and the Cleveland Guardians (49-51) play the middle contest of a 3-game series Tuesday at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Royals vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Guardians lead 5-3 after losing Monday’s series opener 5-3
The Royals snapped a 5-game losing streak with Monday’s victory. Kansas City built a 4-0 lead, and the bullpen held on for the win, despite that it managed just 7 hits to 10 hits for Cleveland. K.C. has won the last 2 meetings in the season series.
The Guardians have dropped the past 2 games at home and are now just 4-7 in the past 11 games overall dating back to July 9, which was a 4-1 setback to the Royals at Progressive Field. The Under (8.5) result Monday was a rarity, as the Over is 6-2 across the past 8 games for Cleveland.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Royals at Guardians projected starters
RHP Zack Greinke vs. RHP Aaron Civale
Greinke (1-10, 5.40 ERA) makes his 20th start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 96 2/3 innings.
- Last start: Loss, 4 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 1 K in a 3-0 home loss vs. Detroit Tigers Thursday
- 2023 road splits: 0-6, 7.42 ERA (42 2/3 IP, 36 ER – 12 HR), .285 opponent batting average (OBA) in 9 starts
- 2023 vs. Cleveland: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 11 H, 2 BB, 0 K in a 4-3 home win on June 29
Civale (3-2, 2.71 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.08 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 in 63 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 7-5 road loss vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday
- 2023 home splits: 2-1, 3.48 ERA (31 IP, 12 ER – 2 HR), .224 OBA in 5 starts
- 2023 vs. Kansas City: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 9 K in a 3-0 home win July 7
Royals at Guardians odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:45 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Royals +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Guardians -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals +1.5 (-125) | Guardians -1.5 (+105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Win your fantasy baseball league with BaseballHQ.com. For decades, BHQ has been helping players just like you win! Use the couple code SBW23 for $15 OFF a full-season subscription. New customer offer; expires 9/30/2023. Subscribe today and start winning!
Royals at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 6, Royals 3
Moneyline
The Guardians (-210) will cost you over 2 times your potential return, and that’s just not an attractive price for a standalone wager.
The Royals (+170) picked up the victory in the series opener, but Greinke has been horrific this season and especially so on the road. He cannot be trusted, so don’t be tempted to play Kansas City again after its big win Monday.
AVOID.
Run line/Against the spread
The GUARDIANS -1.5 (+105) look to bounce back after the embarrassing loss in the series opener. The veteran Greinke is winless on the road this season, and he sports an ERA north of 7 in those outings. Civale has been a lot more consistent, and he is sharp on his home mound.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-115) is the lean Tuesday, but go lightly.
We saw the Under cash by a half of a run in the series opener, which goes along with the head-to-head trends. However, Greinke has been very giving on the road this season. And the Over is 4-1 in the past 5 starts by Civale, although the Under cashed in his start against the Royals in early July, so be careful.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1372]