The Cleveland Indians will square off against their divisional rival Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET and SportsTime Ohio will broadcast the action.
Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals Odds
Oddsmakers have listed Cleveland (-200) as the favorite over Kansas City (+185). The total sits at 8.5 runs and bettors can take the over for -120 and the under for an even +100. Bettors can also wager on the games runline with the odds sitting at -140 for the Indians -1.5 runs and +120 for the Royals +1.5.
The Royals are only 25-59 straight up (SU) and 38-45 against the spread (ATS). The teams lost 22.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 14.8 units (ATS). Kansas City has a 3-4 ATS mark over its last seven games and the under has cashed in four of those seven. The Indians have gone 46-37 SU this year and are 39-43 ATS. In total, the teams lost 8.9 units for gamblers taking the moneyline and 7.8 units ATS. Cleveland is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven.
Kansas City games have an over/under record of 31-48-4 thus far in 2018. Cleveland has an over/under record of 42-38-2.
The right-handed Shane Bieber is projected to start for the visiting Indians. Bieber (3-0, 2.22 ERA) has recorded 27 strikeouts in 24.1 innings so far. He has yet to face the Royals this year and did not record a start against them in 2017, either.
The Royals are putting the ball in the left hand of Danny Duffy (4-7, 4.94 ERA), who has 83 strikeouts and 46 walks as well as a 1.49 WHIP. Duffy is 0-2 with five strikeouts and a 12.00 ERA across two starts against Cleveland this year.
Cleveland’s pitching staff allowed 4.2 runs per game and its starters own a 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 9.15 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 5.10, along with a WHIP of 1.13 and a K/9 of 8.65.
Indians hitters have slashed .255/.327/.441 on their way to 5.0 runs scored per game this season, including 5.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 6.4 per game over the teams last five outings (3-2 SU).
Cleveland’s offense has been powered by shortstop Francisco Lindor and third baseman Jose Ramirez, who have already combined to drive in 110 runs. Lindor is slashing .298/.373/.581 with 23 home runs, 55 RBIs, 73 runs and 10 steals, while Ramirez has a .298 average with 24 homers, 55 RBIs, 58 runs and 15 stolen bases.
For the home team, Kansas City’s pitching staff has yielded 5.4 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starting pitching staff has a 5.17 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.23 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 6.9 K/9. In 27 divisional games, Royals starters have an ERA of 5.38 and the bullpens ERA is 4.78.
The Kansas City offense has put up 3.5 runs per outing, including 3.9 per game against divisional foes and 2.6 per game over its last five. The team has hit .205/.243/.286 over its last five matchups and is 1-4 SU during that span.
The Royals hitters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and third baseman Mike Moustakas. Merrifield is hitting .288/.359/.410 with five home runs, 25 RBIs, 33 runs and 16 steals, and the line for Moustakas stands at .258/.312/.472 with 16 homers, 53 RBIs and 38 runs.
The Indians have gained 4.7 units and are 13-10 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 13 of those games, as opposed to 10 that’ve gone under against lefty starters. On the other hand, the Royals have lost 26.5 units and are 20-34 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The overs hit in 21 of those games, as opposed to 29 that’ve gone under.
Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Indians, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- The over has cashed in three of Cleveland’s last seven contests.
- The Royals have dropped five of their last six games SU.
- Kansas City has posted 15.1 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 15.8 over its last five.
- The Indians have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games. The Royals have hit six over their last 10.
