The Cleveland Indians are playing host to the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Fox Sports Kansas City will be airing the matchup and the game gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals at Cleveland Indians Odds
Cleveland (receiving -215 odds) is the giant favorite against Kansas City and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 11 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total now stand at -115 for the under and -105 for the over. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds standing at -110 for the Royals +1.5 runs and -110 for the Indians -1.5.
The Indians are 56-41 straight up (SU) and 49-47 against the spread (ATS). The team’s gained 1.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 1.4 units ATS. Cleveland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven. The Royals have gone 37-63 SU this year and are 47-52 ATS. Overall, the club has lost 16.7 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 16.1 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the total has gone over in four of those seven.
Cleveland games have had an over/under record of 42-50-4 so far in 2019. The Royals have an over/under record of 48-43-8.
Right-hander Glenn Sparkman will get the start for the visiting Royals. Sparkman is 3-5 with a 4.54 ERA and 42 strikeouts. He’s 0-0 with three strikeouts and a 7.94 ERA against Cleveland this year.
The Indians are turning to Zach Plesac (3-3, 3.56 ERA). Plesac has 34 punchouts and 18 walks, along with a 1.10 WHIP. Plesac is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in one start against Kansas City this year.
Cleveland’s pitching staff has allowed 4.1 runs per game overall this season as a unit. The club’s starting pitching staff has an ERA of 4.16, a WHIP of 1.20 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 9.9. The bullpen has a 3.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 9.3 K/9. In 45 divisional games, Indians starters have an ERA of 3.97 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.67.
The Cleveland hitters are putting up 4.6 runs per contest, including 4.7 per game against divisional foes and 6.2 per game over their last five. The team has hit .294/.350/.491 over its last five games and is 4-1 SU during that span.
First baseman Carlos Santana and shortstop Francisco Lindor have led the Indians’ offense this year. Santana is hitting .284/.406/.528 with 21 home runs, 54 RBIs and 67 runs scored, while Lindor is batting .290 with 15 homers, 35 RBIs, 50 runs and 14 steals.
In the other dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.1 runs per game and its starters own a 5.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.43 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.84, along with a WHIP of 1.43 and a K-per-9 of 8.70.
The Royals offense has slashed .250/.316/.407 on its way to 4.4 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.7 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.0 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and left fielder Alex Gordon continue to lead Kansas City’s offense. Merrifield is slashing .313/.364/.508 with 12 home runs, 51 RBIs, 70 runs and 15 steals, while Gordon is slashing .281/.358/.444 with 10 homers, 58 RBIs and 56 runs scored.
The Indians have lost 6.5 units and are 30-35 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 24 of those games, compared to 37 that’ve gone under.
Royals vs. Indians MLB Tip
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The over has cashed in three of Cleveland’s last seven games.
- The Royals have hit nine home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
- Cleveland has posted 25.5 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 25.4 over its last five.
- The Royals have won five of their last six games SU.
