| MATCHUP | ||
|---|---|---|
| Time | Game Info: Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 4:10 pm (Kauffman Stadium) | |
| TV | CLEG | |
Kansas City Royals (0-0) vs Cleveland Guardians (0-0)
Game Info: Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 4:10 pm (Kauffman Stadium)
In this article, we will formulate a Cleveland Guardians vs Kansas City Royals prediction for this MLB game on Thursday, March 27th, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Cleveland Guardians Betting Preview
The Cleveland Guardians went 92-69 last season, and they finished first in the AL Central by 6.5 games over the Royals. Cleveland was able to get a bye to the ALDS, where they defeated the Tigers in five games, despite facing elimination in games four and five. The Guardians went on to face the Yankees in the ALCS, where they lost in five games but had a few chances to extend the series. Cleveland led the AL Central for most of the season and finished by winning eight of their last 13 regular-season games. In Spring Training, the Guardians went 13-18 overall, which was 10th in the Cactus League, and they went 4-6 in their final 10 games.
Last season, the Cleveland pitching staff had a 3.61 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .230 opponent batting average. Cleveland’s offense scored 708 runs with a .238 batting average and a .307 on-base percentage in 2024, but their pitching staff is what carried them for most of the season. The Cleveland lineup was led by Jose Ramirez, who hit .279 with 39 home runs and 118 RBIs in the season. The projected starting pitcher for Cleveland is Tanner Bibee, who went 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP over 173.2 innings pitched in 2024.
Kansas City Royals Betting Preview
The Kansas City Royals were 86-76 last year, and they finished tied with Detroit for second in the AL Central standings, which was 6.5 games behind Cleveland. Kansas City did qualify for the postseason in a Wild Card spot, where they defeated Baltimore in two games by scores of 1-0 and 2-1. In the next round, the Royals lost to the Yankees in four games, and they only scored three runs in the final two games of the series. Kansas City really struggled to close out the 2024 regular season, as they lost nine of their last 13 games, which nearly cost them their playoff spot. In Spring Training this year, the Royals went 20-12, which was second in the Cactus League, and they won seven of their last ten games.
The Kansas City pitching staff had a 3.76 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP and a .241 opponent batting average, while the KC offense scored 735 runs with a .248 batting average and a .306 on-base percentage last year. The Royals were a little inconsistent at the plate, especially down the stretch, but they were one of the better pitching staffs in the MLB. The KC lineup was led by Bobby Witt, who hit .332 with 32 home runs, 109 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases. The projected starting pitcher for Kansas City is Cole Ragans, who went 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 186.1 innings pitched last year.
Why the Royals will beat the Guardians
- The Guardians have lost four of their last five games.
- The Royals have won seven of their last nine day games against AL Central opponents.
- The favorites have covered the run line in each of the Guardians’ last five games.
- The Guardians have failed to cover the run line in each of their last seven Thursday road games.
- The Guardians have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four road games.
- The Guardians have trailed after 5 innings in each of their last three games as road underdogs against American League opponents.
Why the Guardians will beat the Royals
- The Guardians have won each of their last nine road games against the Royals after going to extra innings.
- The Royals have lost each of their last eight home games.
- The Royals have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight home games.
- The Guardians have covered the run line in nine of their last 11 games as road underdogs following an extra-innings loss.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Royals’ last nine games as favorites against AL Central opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- Five of the Guardians’ last six games as underdogs against the Royals have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in nine of the Royals’ last 10 games as favorites against AL Central opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Guardians’ last six Thursday games at Kauffman Stadium.
Kansas City Royals Player Prop Facts
- Vinnie Pasquantino has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.
- Vinnie Pasquantino has recorded a Double in three of his last four home appearances.
- Vinnie Pasquantino has scored a run in five of his last six appearances with the Royals as home favorites against AL opponents.
- Vinnie Pasquantino has recorded at least one RBI in each of his last four appearances against the Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.
- Jonathan India has recorded at least one Single in each of his four previous appearances in season openers.
- Hunter Renfroe has recorded at least one hit in each of his last six appearances against the Guardians.
Cleveland Guardians Player Prop Facts
- Jose Ramirez has hit a home run in two of the Guardians’ last three road games.
- Jose Ramirez has recorded an RBI in three of the Guardians’ last four games as road underdogs against the Royals.
- Jose Ramirez has scored at least one run in five of the Guardians’ last six games as road underdogs against the Royals.
- Steven Kwan has recorded at least one Single in each of the Guardians’ last seven road games against AL opponents.
- Jose Ramirez has recorded at least one hit in each of the Guardians’ last eight games as road underdogs against the Royals.
Cleveland Guardians vs Kansas City Royals Prediction
These two teams finished the 2024 season first and second in the AL Central, and they are expected to be at the top once again this year, so this game could hold a lot of weight a few months from now. Both of these teams had very good pitching last season, while both offenses went cold at times. I like both starting pitchers in this matchup, but I don’t expect either to last more than four or five innings. I think we could see both bullpens get roughed up here, as the warmer weather will help the hitters. Take the over here.