The Kansas City Royals will look to avoid losing their fourth consecutive game as they play host to the Cleveland Indians at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Fox Sports Kansas City will be televising the matchup and the game is scheduled to get going at 1:15 p.m. ET.
Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Kansas City (receiving +105 odds) is rolling into this contest as an underdog against Cleveland and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under for this day game at 10 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). Gamblers can also wager on the game’s runline with the current odds coming in at Indians -1.5 runs (+130) and Royals +1.5 runs (-150).
The Royals are 29-58 straight up (SU) and 41-45 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 18.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 15.6 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total went over in five of those seven. The Indians have gone 47-38 SU this year and are 40-44 against the spread. Overall, the club has lost 5.7 units for moneyline bettors and 5.3 units ATS. Cleveland is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven.
Royals games have an over/under record of 41-38-7 so far in 2019. The Indians have been a decent under bet with a total record of 37-45-2.
Zach Plesac is getting the nod for the visiting Indians. Plesac is 3-3 with a 3.61 ERA and 32 strikeouts. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2018, either.
The Royals will put the ball in the right hand of Homer Bailey (7-6, 4.87 ERA, 1.40 WHIP), who has 78 strikeouts and 36 walks. Bailey is 1-0 with six strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in one start against Cleveland this year.
Kansas City’s pitchers have given up 5.2 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 5.30, a WHIP of 1.44 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 7.3. The bullpen has a 4.77 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 8.7 K/9. In 38 games against divisional opponents, Royals starters have an ERA of 3.79 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.10.
The Kansas City hitters have produced 4.2 runs per outing, including 4.3 per game against divisional foes and 4.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .260/.317/.391 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Royals’ hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Alex Gordon. Merrifield is hitting .310/.357/.504 with 11 home runs, 43 RBIs, 60 runs and 12 stolen bases, while Gordon is hitting .270 with 10 homers, 53 RBIs and 46 runs.
For the visitors, Cleveland’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starters own a 4.25 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.86 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 3.57, along with a K-per-9 of 9.19.
Indians hitters have slashed .239/.320/.406 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this season, including 4.4 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (3-2 SU).
Cleveland’s offense has been fueled by first baseman Carlos Santana and shortstop Francisco Lindor, who have combined to blast 31 home runs. Santana is slashing .298/.414/.543 with 19 home runs, 52 RBIs and 58 runs scored. Lindor is hitting .290/.351/.491 with 12 homers, 27 RBIs, 42 runs and 12 stolen bases.
The Indians have lost 8.7 units and are 26-32 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over’s hit in 22 of those games, compared to 34 that’ve gone under against -handed starting pitchers.
Indians at Royals MLB Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Royals, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has cashed in three of Cleveland’s last seven games.
- The Indians have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit nine over their last 10.
- Kansas City has recorded 22.2 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 21.8 over its last five.
- The Royals have dropped six of their last seven games SU.
