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The Kansas City Royals (36-26) and Cleveland Guardians (40-20) wrap up a 2-game series at Progressive Field Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). 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 and Guardians were rained out Wednesday, and the teams will make up that game as part of a split doubleheader Monday, Aug. 26.
Cleveland won the series opener 8-5 on Tuesday at Progressive Field, cashing as a moderate favorite (-128) with the Over (8) coming through. The Guardians enter play Thursday with a 5-game lead in the AL Central over the 2nd-place Royals. The Guardians are 21-7 at home.
The Royals have allowed 7 or more runs in 4 of the previous 5 outings, and the Over has cashed at a 4-1 pace in that stretch. Kansas City has plated 4 or more runs in 5 of the past 6 contests, averaging 5.4 runs per game (RPG) in the 6-game stretch.
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Royals at Guardians projected starters
RHP Brady Singer vs. RHP Tanner Bibee
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
Bibee (4-1, 3.74 ERA) makes his 13th start. He has a 1.17 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 9.6 K/9 in 65 IP.
- Last start: Win, 6 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 7-1 home win vs. Washington Nationals May 31
- 2024 home splits: 2-1, 5.29 ERA (32 1/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.21 WHIP, .250 OBA, 5 HR, 8 BB, 34 K in 6 starts
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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 6:06 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Royals +128 (bet $100 to win $128) | Guardians -152 (bet $100 to win $152)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Royals +1.5 (-172) | Guardians -1.5 (+142)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Royals at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 4, Royals 3
Moneyline
The GUARDIANS (-152) are a solid play as moderate favorites in the series finale. Originally, RHP Nick Sandlin was supposed to serve as the opener Wednesday, but with the postponement, the team turns to the more proven Bibee to counter RHP Brady Singer for the Royals (+128).
Cleveland has rolled up an impressive 21-7 record at home, and Kansas City has managed just a 14-16 mark on the road.
Play the 1st-place Guardians to get the job done and complete the 2-game sweep.
Run line/Against the spread
The Royals +1.5 (-172) are a little on the pricey side, and Kansas City can’t be trusted. If you like the Royals, back them straight up. There is little value playing them for a little insurance, especially when it costs you nearly 2 times your potential return.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 7.5 (-110) is the lean for the series finale, but go with a half-unit at most.
While the Guardians have cashed the Over at a 7-3-2 pace in the previous 12 contests, the Under has hit in 2 of the past 3 games for Cleveland, all at home. The Under is 3-1 in Bibee’s past 4 starting assignments, too.
The Royals have cashed high in 4 of the past 5 games, and the Over is 4-0 in Singer’s past 4 starts, so that’s why you need to be careful.
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