The Cleveland Indians are set to face their division rival Kansas City Royals at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. SportsTime Ohio will broadcast the action. The first pitch will be at 7:15 p.m. ET.
Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals Odds
Vegas has listed Kansas City (+290) as the underdog to Cleveland (-365). The total is sitting at 8.5 runs and bettors can take the over for -105 and the under for -115. You can also bet on the game’s spread with the most recent runline odds sitting at -210 for the Indians -1.5 runs and +175 for the Royals +1.5.
The Royals are 39-90 straight up (SU) and 60-68 against the spread (ATS). The team has lost 36.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 18.9 units (ATS). The Indians are 73-55 SU and have gone 61-66 ATS. Overall, the team’s lost 10.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 12.3 units ATS.
Kansas City games have an over/under record of 55-65-8 in 2018. Cleveland has an over/under record of 63-59-5.
Corey Kluber is getting the start for the visiting Indians. The right-handed Kluber is 16-6 with a 2.74 ERA and 166 strikeouts. He’s 2-0 with nine strikeouts and a 2.08 ERA against Kansas City this year (two starts).
The Royals are handing the ball to Heath Fillmyer (1-1, 4.57 ERA), who has 27 punchouts and 23 walks to his credit, as well as a WHIP of 1.46. Fillmyer is 0-0 with two strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Cleveland this year.
Cleveland’s pitchers have allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 9.40 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.84, along with a K-per-9 of 8.92.
The Indians offense has slashed .258/.332/.440 on its way to 5.1 runs scored per game this year, including 5.3 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (2-3 SU).
Cleveland’s hitters have been paced by shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Michael Brantley, who collectively have swatted 43 home runs. Lindor is hitting .288/.366/.537 with 29 home runs, 76 RBIs, 105 runs and 19 stolen bases, while Brantley has a .303 average with 14 homers, 69 RBIs and 73 runs scored.
In the home-team dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have given up 5.4 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 5.29 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 5.16 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 7.3 K/9. In 51 games against divisional opponents, Royals starters have an ERA of 5.27 and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.17.
Kansas City’s offense has put up 3.7 runs per outing, including 4.2 per game against divisional foes and 2.4 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .211/.262/.373 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Royals’ batters have been led by second baseman Whit Merrifield and catcher Salvador Perez. Merrifield is hitting .304/.373/.431 with nine home runs, 44 RBIs, 61 runs and 28 stolen bases, and Perez’s line is .232/.270/.430 with 22 homers, 64 RBIs and 41 runs.
The Royals have lost 30.9 units and are 38-49 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 41 of those games, compared to 40 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers.
Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Indians, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has cashed in just two of Cleveland’s last seven games.
Kansas City has posted 18.3 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 16.0 over its last five.
The Indians have hit 13 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
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