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Update 5:21 p.m. ET: Wednesday’s game between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader Monday, Aug. 26.
Original column below (published 6:29 a.m. ET)
The Kansas City Royals (36-26) and Cleveland Guardians (40-20) play the middle contest of a 3-game series at Progressive Field Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze FanDuel 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 1-0
The Royals were tripped up 8-5 in the series opener Tuesday at Progressive Field. Cleveland covered as a moderate favorite (-128) as the Over (8) cashed. The Guardians have opened up a 5-game lead in the AL Central over the Royals, while improving to 21-7 at home.
Kansas City has allowed 7 or more runs in 4 of the past 5 games, and it’s no surprise the Over has hit at a 4-1 clip in the 5-game span. The Royals have also scored 4 or more runs in 5 of the past 6 outings, averaging 5.4 runs per game (RPG) during the 6-game stretch.
Cleveland has picked up wins in 3 of the past 4 outings. Since May 21, the Guardians have cashed the Over at a 7-3-2 clip in the past 12 outings. Cleveland has racked up 75 runs in the 12-game span, an average of 6.3 RPG.
While the Guardians will use RHP Nick Sandlin as an opener, as LHP Logan Allen (6-3, 5.83 ERA) will move from the rotation to work in middle relief after Sandlin. Allen was pounded for 7 ER in just 1 2/3 IP at Colorado last time out.
Royals at Guardians projected starters
RHP Brady Singer vs. RHP Nick Sandlin
Singer (4-2, 2.63 ERA) makes his 12th start. He has a 1.12 WHIP, 2.8 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 61 2/3 IP.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 7-4 road win in 11 innings vs. Tampa Bay Rays May 25
- 2024 road splits: 0-1, 3.60 ERA (20 IP, 8 ER), 1.45 WHIP, .256 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 3 HR, 9 BB, 20 K in 4 starts
Sandlin (4-0, 2.77 ERA, 1 SV) makes his 1st start and 30th appearance. He has a 0.77 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 10.0 K/9 in 26 IP.
- 1st Major League start after 170 career relief appearances
- 2024 home splits: 2-0, 3.09 ERA (11 2/3 IP, 4 ER), 0.94 WHIP, .214 OBA, 1 HR, 2 BB, 13 K in 13 relief appearances
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Royals at Guardians odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:22 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Royals +104 (bet $100 to win $104) | Guardians -122 (bet $100 to win $122)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals -1.5 (+158) | Guardians +1.5 (-192)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -122 | U: +100)
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Royals at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 5, Royals 4
Moneyline
The GUARDIANS (-122) are a good play against the Royals (+104) in the middle game of this set.
The Cleveland bats stayed hot Tuesday, belting the previous red-hot RHP Seth Lugo. It will be another tough go against Singer, who has been the team’s 2nd-best pitching option.
Cleveland has been hot at home, going 21-7, while Kansas City is just 14-16 in its 30 road outings. Back the home side.
Run line/Against the spread
The Guardians +1.5 (-192) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s quite a bit pricey for a little bit of insurance. If you like Cleveland, just play it straight up.
AVOID.
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-122) is the lean after the total went high in Tuesday’s battle.
Cleveland has registered the Over at a 7-3-2 clip in the past 12 outings. While Allen isn’t starting, he is expected to get a bulk of the innings in relief of Sandlin. The Over is 4-1-1 in Allen’s past 6 appearances.
For Kansas City, the total has cashed in Singer’s past 4 starts, while the Over is 4-1 in the previous 5 outings for the Royals.
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