The Cleveland Guardian (80-59) and Kansas City Royals (75-65) finish a 3-game series on Wednesday. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s check out FanDuel Sportsbook’s odds around the Guardians vs Royals Opportunities and place your best bets with our expert MLB tips and predictions.
Season series: Royals lead 7-5
The Guardians beat the Royals 7-1 on Tuesday and entered the trade as the road favorite (-129) with the total (8) positive in most trades. Cleveland will be looking to complete Wednesday’s 3-game road sweep after losing 3 of 4 games at home to Kansas City on August 26 and 28.
The Guardians have won 5 of their last 6 games while the Under has a record of 3-0-1 in their last 4 contests.
The Royals are in free fall, having lost 7 games in a row and now sit 5 1/2 games behind the Guardians in 1st place. Kansas City is also one game behind the Minnesota Twins in 2nd place in the AL Central Division.
Kansas City is averaging just 2.0 runs per game (RPG) over their last 6 games, while the under is 3-1-1 over their last 5 games. After KC opened the 4-game series in Cleveland with 3 straight wins, the Guardians have reeled off 3 straight wins against the Royals.
Guardians at the Royals: expected starters
RHP Ben Lively against RHP
Lively (11-8, 3.92 ERA) is making his 25th start. He has a WHIP of 1.23, 2.9 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 in 131 IP.
- Last start: No decision, 4 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 9 H (1 HR), 1 BB, 3 K in the 10-8 home win against Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday
- 2024 Road Splits: 4-6, 3.90 ERA (64 2/3 IP, 28 ER), 1.22 WHIP, .237 opposing batting average (OBA), 11 HR, 22 BB, 56 K in 12 starts
- After the All-Star break: 3-3, 4.60 ERA (43 IP, 22 ER), 1.35 WHIP, .243 OBA, 7 HR, 17 BB, 27 K in 8 starts
- 2024 against Royals: Loss, 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 5 K in 2-1 setback on the road on June 27
- Career vs. Royals: 4-1, 3.19 ERA (59 1/3 IP, 21 ER), 9 HR, 0.99 WHIP, 8.2 K/9 in 10 starts
Lugo (14-8, 3.12 ERA) makes his 29th start. He has a WHIP of 1.12, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 179 IP.
- Last start: No decision, 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 9 K in 3-2 road loss to Houston Astros on Friday
- 2024 Home Splits: 6-5, 3.36 ERA (88 1/3 IP, 33 ER), 1.15 WHIP, .240 OBA, 22 BB, 70 K in 14 starts
- After the All-Star break: 3-4, 4.67 ERA (52 IP, 27 ER), 1.19 WHIP, .240 OBA, 4 HR, 14 BB, 39 K in 8 starts
- 2024 vs Guardians: 1-0, 3.75 ERA (12 IP, 5 ER), 2 HR, .217 OBA, 2 BB, 15 K in 2 starts
- Career vs. Guardians: 1-0, 3.21 ERA (14 IP, 5 ER), 0.93 WHIP, 9.6 K/9 in 3 appearances (2 starts)
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Guardians at Royals odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; for a complete list visit the USA TODAY sports scores and betting odds hub. Odds last updated at 6:11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Guardians +116 (bet $100 to win $116) | Royals -134 (bet $134 to win $100)
- Running Line (RL)/Against the Spread (ATS): Guardians +1.5 (-184) | Royals -1.5 (+152)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -114 | U: -106)
Tips and predictions for Guardians at Royals
forecast
Royals 6, Guardians 5
Money line
The ROYAL (-134) have their best pitcher on the field. Although Lugo was much better before the All-Star break than after, he was pretty consistent all season.
The Guardians (+116) have really made life difficult for Kansas City after the Royals tried to take the lead just last week. Now the Royals are sinking like a rock and they need their All-Star to end a 7-game losing streak in the worst possible way.
Running Line/Against the Spread
If you need a hedge and can’t bet directly on the Guardians +1.5 (-184), this is not a good bet. You would have to risk almost double your potential profit on the visitors.
AVOIDand just play Cleveland if you like it.
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Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-114) is worth a look in the series finale on Wednesday after an under in the opener and a push in most stores on Tuesday.
Both Lively and Lugo have put up plenty of crooked numbers since the All-Star break, and both starters have a 4.60 ERA or higher after the break. We could see a higher scoring affair.
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