AL Central rivals the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals continue their three-game series from Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City drew first blood in the season series, picking up an 8-1 win last night, snapping a 10-game losing slide, while Cleveland dropped the second in its last three games. Jefry Rodriguez (CLE) and Homer Bailey (KC) get the ball with the Indians Sportsbook as a -116 favorite and the Royals coming back at -104 with the total Sportsbook at 9 runs.
Standout Stats
- For the first time since the second game of the season, the Royals enter a contest coming off a win as they snapped their 10-game losing slide last night and are now 1-10 SU and 4-7 ATS in their last 11 games. Conversely, the Indians had a five-game winning streak that was ended three days ago and they are 6-2 SU and 5-3 ATS in their last eight games. KC topped Cleveland last night 8-1.
- The pitching has been vastly different for these two squads and that has resulted in them being on opposite sides of the total thus far. The total has gone UNDER in five of Cleveland’s last eight games with an average combined score of 6.38. Meanwhile, the total has gone OVER in 10 of Kansas City’s 13 matches this year with an average combined score of 10.54.
- Making his debut with Cleveland on the mound today is Jefry Rodriguez. The Dominican Republic native was a member of the Washington Nationals last year, appearing in 14 games, eight of which he started. Things didn’t go as planned when he started games with the righty going 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA over 38.2 innings while allowing 28 walks and seven home runs.
- Countering for the Royals is Homer Bailey, seeking his first win of the season. Kansas City dropped Bailey’s first two starts and he brings into this game a 9.00 ERA and has surrendered 13 hits (three homers) and four walks in just 10 innings pitched. Indians designated hitter Hanley Ramirez will be gripping the bat tight when he’s in the batters’ box as he is 5-for-21 vs the righty, with three extra-base hits, including two home runs. The 32-year-old is a career 3-4 with a 5.79 ERA in nine starts vs Cleveland.
- Cleveland has had success vs righties in the early goings of the season, sporting a record of 7-3, but rank 25th with a .195 batting average vs righties. Meanwhile, Kansas City ranks eighth in team batting average vs RHP but are just 2-7 against right-handed starters.
- These teams have been on completely opposite ends of the pitching spectrum as the Indians rank sixth with a 2.95 team ERA, while the Royals rank 27th with a 5.74 team ERA.
My Best Bet for Cleveland vs Kansas City
Cleveland Moneyline and OVER 9
Homer Bailey’s teams are 1-21 in his last 22 starts and he is coming off an outing in which was rocked badly by Seattle. The Royals’ bats have been OK this season and they should get a few cracks against young Jefry Rodriguez. After Bailey comes out of the game, things don’t get any easier for Kansas City as it has the second-worst bullpen ERA in the majors at 7.05.
