The streaking Cleveland Indians will go for their seventh straight win as they play host to the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Fox Sports Kansas City will televise the action and the game will get underway at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals at Cleveland Indians Odds
Kansas City (+175) is entering this game as the underdog to Cleveland (-185) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this night game at 10.5 runs (-115 for the over and -105 for the under). Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at Royals +1.5 runs (-125) and Indians -1.5 runs (+105).
The Royals are 36-63 SU and are 47-51 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 15.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 15.1 units ATS. Kansas City’s covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven. The Indians, on the other hand, are 56-40 SU and 48-47 ATS. They’ve gained 0.5 units for moneyline bettors and 0.4 units ATS. Cleveland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Indians games have an over/under record of 41-50-4 thus far in 2019. The Royals have an over/under record of 47-43-8.
Right-hander Jakob Junis will get the start for the visiting Royals. Junis is 5-8 with a 5.08 ERA and 108 strikeouts. He’s 0-2 with 12 strikeouts and a 7.94 ERA against Cleveland this year (three starts).
The Indians are putting the ball in the hands of righty Adam Plutko (3-1, 5.40 ERA), who has 27 strikeouts and five walks, along with a WHIP of 1.20. Plutko is 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA in one start against Kansas City this year.
Cleveland’s pitchers have allowed 4.2 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have an ERA of 4.20, a WHIP of 1.21 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 10.0. The bullpen has a 3.34 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.4 K/9. In 44 games against divisional opponents, Indians starters have an ERA of 4.04 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.71.
Cleveland’s offense has produced 4.6 runs per outing, including 4.8 per game against divisional foes and 7.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .347/.393/.594 over its last five games and is 5-0 SU during that stretch.
First baseman Carlos Santana and shortstop Francisco Lindor have led the Indians’ offense this year. Santana is hitting .286/.405/.531 with 21 home runs, 54 RBIs and 67 runs scored, while Lindor is hitting .290 with 15 homers, 35 RBIs, 50 runs and 14 stolen bases.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitching staff allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 5.16 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.39 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.88, along with a WHIP of 1.43.
Royals hitters have slashed .251/.316/.407 on their way to 4.4 runs scored per game this season, including 4.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.8 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Kansas City’s hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and outfielder Alex Gordon. Merrifield is slashing .313/.365/.511 with 12 home runs, 51 RBIs, 70 runs and 15 stolen bases, while Gordon (.281/.359/.446) is up to 10 homers, 58 RBIs and 56 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 12.6 units and are 34-37 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher this season. The over has cashed in 36 of those games, as opposed to 31 that’ve hit the under in such games. On the other hand, the Indians have lost 6.5 units and are 30-35 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over has hit in 24 of those games, compared to 37 that’ve cashed the under.
Royals vs. Indians Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in four of Cleveland’s last seven games.
- The Royals have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games. The Indians have hit 20 over their last 10.
- The Royals have an OPS of .724 this season and an OPS of .734 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Indians’ OPS sits at .751 overall and .766 versus righties.
- Cleveland has posted 27.8 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 31.4 over its last five.
