The Kansas City Royals will be facing off against their division rival Cleveland Indians in a Wednesday showdown. Fox Sports Kansas City will broadcast the matchup. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals at Cleveland Indians Odds
Cleveland (-195) is a solid favorite against Kansas City (+182) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this day game at 9.5 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total currently sit at +115 for the over and -135 for the under. Gamblers can also bet on the game’s runline with the current odds coming in at Royals +1.5 runs (-120) and Indians -1.5 runs (+100).
The Royals have gone just 28-52 SU this year and are 39-40 against the spread (ATS). They’ve lost 16.5 units for moneyline gamblers and 10.8 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Indians, on the other hand, are 43-36 SU and 37-41 ATS. They’ve lost 2.4 units for moneyline bettors and 4.4 units ATS. Cleveland has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the over has cashed in four of those seven.
Cleveland games have an over/under record of 33-43-2 thus far in 2019. The Royals have an over/under record of 36-36-7.
Jakob Junis will get the start for the visiting Royals. The right-handed Junis (4-6, 5.18 ERA) has racked up 84 strikeouts in 88.2 innings so far. He’s 0-0 with four strikeouts and a 7.11 ERA against Cleveland this year.
The Indians are handing the ball to righty Trevor Bauer (5-6, 3.69 ERA), who’s got 122 strikeouts and 46 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.18. Bauer has yet to face the Royals this year, but he made three starts against them in 2018, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.22 ERA and 20 strikeouts.
Cleveland’s pitching staff has yielded 4.2 runs per game overall this year as a unit. The club’s starting pitching staff has a 4.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.35 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 9.4 K/9. In 32 games against AL Central foes, Indians starters have an ERA of 4.06 and the bullpen’s ERA is 3.09.
Cleveland’s hitters have put up 4.4 runs per outing, including 4.3 per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over their last five. The team’s hit .292/.343/.530 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
First baseman Carlos Santana and shortstop Francisco Lindor have led the Indians’ batters this year. Santana is slashing .290/.412/.545 with 18 home runs, 48 RBIs and 55 runs scored, and Lindor’s line is .291/.353/.504 with 12 homers, 27 RBIs, 39 runs and 11 steals.
In the visiting dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.0 runs per game and its starters own a 5.04 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 7.34 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 4.76, along with a WHIP of 1.41.
Royals hitters have slashed .244/.310/.403 on their way to 4.3 runs scored per game this year, including 4.5 runs per game against divisional foes and 5.2 per game over the team’s last five outings (2-3 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and shortstop Adalberto Mondesi continue to lead Kansas City’s offense. Merrifield is slashing .304/.351/.507 with 11 home runs, 42 RBIs, 57 runs and 11 stolen bases, while Mondesi (.269/.302/.441) has produced six homers, 44 RBIs, 40 runs and 27 steals.
The Royals have lost 13.3 units and are 27-29 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has cashed in 26 of those games, compared to 26 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Indians have lost 7.5 units and are 23-30 ATS when facing a right-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 19 of those games, compared to 32 that’ve gone under.
Royals vs. Indians Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – UNDER
Betting Trends
- The over has hit in just two of Kansas City’s last seven games.
- The Royals have an OPS of .713 this season and an OPS of .725 when facing right-handed pitchers. The Indians’ OPS sits at .728 overall and .739 against righties.
- Kansas City has posted 23.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 22.0 over its last five.
- The Royals have hit 10 home runs in their last 10 games. The Indians have hit 20 over their last 10.
