Cleveland Guardians at Kansas City Royals odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Cleveland Guardians at Kansas City Royals odds and lines, with MLB expert picks and predictions.

The Cleveland Guardians (40-40) and Kansas City Royals (30-51) open a 3-game series Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET at Kauffman Stadium. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Guardians vs. Royals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Season series: Cleveland leads 5-2.

The Guardians are coming off a busy, rather unsuccessful stretch. Prior to an off day Thursday, Cleveland played 18 games in 16 days. The Guardians went 6-12 in those 18 games and were bludgeoned 109-58 on the scoreboard.

The Royals are just 6-14 in their last 20 games at home. Pitching has been the problem. The Royals have carded a 5.70 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 6.4 K/9 over those 20 games.

Guardians at Royals projected starters

RHP Aaron Civale vs. RHP Brady Singer

Civale (2-5, 7.04 ERA) has made 10 starts this season. He has a 1.54 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 in 46 IP.

  • Owns a 9.90 ERA in 20 road innings.
  • Has made 4 career starts against the Royals (2020-22) with a 5.75 ERA in 20 1/3 IP.

Singer (3-3, 4.30 ERA) has appeared in 12 games (9 as a starter). He has a 1.21 WHIP, 1.99 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 in 58 2/3 IP.

  • Allowed 8 runs in 13 1/3 IP across 3 starts against Cleveland last season.
  • Owns a 5.21 career ERA at Kauffman Stadium (vs. a 4.07 ERA on the road).

Guardians at 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 11:54 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Guardians +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Royals -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL): Guardians +1.5 (-190) | Royals -1.5 (+155)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +105)

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Guardians at Royals picks and predictions

Prediction

Royals 4, Guardians 3

Money line

Consider a PARTIAL-UNIT PLAY ON KANSAS CITY (-135). Civale tied a season-high with 99 pitches his last time out. The last time he hit 99 he was roughed up for 6R in the following game.

The Cleveland offense owns a .590 OPS in its last 16 games. The Guardians bullpen has clocked a Boeing 7.69 ERA in the last 2 weeks.

Consider a full-unit play at -125 or better.

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Run line/Against the spread

LAYING OFF the run line due to an Under lean.

Over/Under

THE STRONGEST PLAY FOR THIS CONTEST IS THE UNDER 8.5 (+105). Both starters have been dinged by unkind rates around the margins, and Cleveland’s offense (4.26 runs per game) is not fully supported by underlying numbers.

An inward breeze — helping the pitching on both sides — is in the forecast.

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