The Kansas City Royals (36-50) and Cleveland Indians (42-42) play the opener of a four-game set Thursday at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Royals vs. Indians odds with MLB picks and predictions.
LHP Danny Duffy is the projected starting pitcher for the Royals. He is 4-3 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 over 52 IP across 10 starts and one relief appearance.
The southpaw Duffy could be making one of his final starts in Royal Blue, as his name has been bandied about in trade rumors. He allowed two runs, six hits and two walks across four innings in a no-decision against Minnesota last time out.
Duffy has not won since May 1 in five starts and one relief appearance including a stint on the injured list. Still, he has an impressive 2.60 ERA, and that is particularly attractive to contenders.
RHP Zach Plesac is the projected starting pitcher for the Indians. He is 4-3 with a 4.14 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 5.8 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 over 58 2/3 IP through 10 starts.
Plesac is making his first start since May 23 when he broken his right thumb taking off an undershirt in anger after an ugly start against the Twins. He had won three straight decisions across the past six starts before his ailment, and his last loss was April 20.
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Royals at Indians odds, lines, picks and prediction
MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Royals +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Indians -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Royals +1.5 (-165) | Indians -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under: 9 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Prediction
Royals 5, Indians 3
Money line (ML)
The ROYALS (+115) are the lean in this opener of the four-game set. The Indians (-140) just played a double dip Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla., against the Tampa Bay Rays and flew home to prepare for K.C. In fact, the Royals have been resting in Cleveland longer than the home team. The Indians enter on an eight-game slide.
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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)
The ROYALS +1.5 (-165) are a decent play if you’re not quite feeling Kansas City in the opener. However, Duffy has a solid ERA for a lower-echelon team and probably should have many more wins. For the Indians -1.5 (+140), Plesac is returning after a six-week absence, and who knows if he’ll have a little bit of rust.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 9 (-110) is the play in Thursday’s opener. With the exception of an eight-run outburst against the Rays Monday, the Indians have struggled to score lately. They have 20 total runs across the past eight games or just 2.5 runs per outing.
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