Cleveland Guardians at Kansas City Royals, ppd.
Original column below (published 1:56 p.m. ET)
The Cleveland Guardians (51-51) face the Kansas City Royals (50-53) in the opener of a 3-game set Friday. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium in K.C. is set for 8:10 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Guardians vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Guardians lead 4-2
The Guardians snapped a 4-game winning streak with a 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles Thursday. OF Steven Kwan left the yard twice to give him 8 homers on the year. 3B Jose Ramirez is hitting .333 with 3 homers and 6 RBIs the last 7 days and has 8 homers and 18 RBIs this month.
The Royals are 3-3 out of the All-Star break and had Thursday off after taking 2 of 3 at the Chicago Cubs. They won 8-4 Wednesday. 1B Vinnie Pasquantino left the yard twice to give him 17 dingers on the year.
Cleveland sits 3 games out of a Wild Card spot, and K.C. is right behind it at 4½ back.
Guardians at Royals projected starters
RHP Gavin Williams vs. RHP Michael Wacha
Williams (6-4, 3.54 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 5.0 BB/9 and 9.1 K/9 through 104 1/3 innings.
Wacha (4-9, 3.62 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 through 97 innings.
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Guardians at Royals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:56 p.m. ET.
Guardians at Royals picks and predictions
Guardians 4, Royals 3
Moneyline
The Guardians are the same team at home as on the road. They're 25-25 at home and 26-26 on the road. They're also 17-9 inside the division. Wacha has a career-low 6.8 K/9, and I like the upside for the GUARDIANS (-105) here. If Williams can keep his walks in check, they should cruise.
Run line/Against the spread
Give me GAVIN WILLIAMS OVER 4.5 STRIKEOUTS (-140). He has 11, 5 and 8 K's in his last 3 GS and 5+ K's in 4 of his last 5 starts against K.C.
Over/Under
It's slated to be 83 degrees with wind going all over the place. There's also a 40% chance of rain. Kauffman is a big park, and neither team has a great offense (CLE 26th at 3.9 R/game; K.C. 29th at 3.5 R/game).
I'll LEAN UNDER 8 (-105).
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