Not exactly the start the Cleveland Indians hoped to get off to after coming within one win of a World Series victory in 2016 but with just under three-quarters of the 2017 regular season still to play, there’s plenty of time to get things turned around. Danny Salazar, the Indians’ starter this afternoon, has been a bit of a microcosm for Cleveland’s struggles as he’s sporting a horrendous 5.55 ERA through nine starts this season.
- Danny Salazar has given up an average of 2 home runs per game in his last 5 starts.
- The Royals are 2-10 in their last 12 games against the division rival Indians.
- 7 of the last 10 matchups between the Royals and Indians have gone UNDER.
Sportsbook as a massive favorite today, the Indians will be looking to immediately avenge their loss last night in which they at one point held a 4-0 lead over the division rival Royals. Cleveland has typically dominated Kansas City since the summer of 2016 but going 3-7 at Progressive Field against divisional opponents this year, the Tribe could be a good fade today.
Jason Vargas, who will take the mound for the Royals, had an excellent start to his season but has fallen back down to earth in his last two starts, giving up a combined nine earned runs in his last 10 innings pitched. In his last outing against the Indians, he lasted six frames and yielded no runs in a 3-1 Royals’ win.
Given Salazar’s brutal start, and Vargas’ recent results against the Tribe, an underdog wager on the Royals wouldn’t be that much of a stretch.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Baseball betting odds makers, including Sportsbook, opened the Cleveland Indians as -176 moneyline favorites in this matchup. Over under total bettors saw the number open at 8 at shops such as Sportsbook.
Odds Shark prediction models pick the Indians to win this game 4.4-3.1. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming MLB matchups here.
Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Indians Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Cleveland (24-22) will face the 20-27 Royals in this tilt. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Cleveland vs Kansas City injuries news.
The MLB Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Cleveland Indians rated this week at No. 15 and the Kansas City Royals sitting at No. 24.
Statistical Matchup
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features the Cleveland Indians No. 20-ranked scoring average of 4.35 runs per game, against a Kansas City Royals offense rated No. 29 and scoring 3.38 runs per game. The Indians have averaged 7.98 hits per game to date this season, more than the Royals hitters have managed (7.62 per nine innings).
Defensively, Kansas City features the No. 20-rated defense on the road, allowing 5.04 runs per game. Cleveland, meanwhile, comes in at No. 19 at home, scoring 4.45 runs per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Kansas City looks to continue its winning ways following a victory last time out against the Indians, a 6-4 final on Friday in support of I Kennedy at Progressive Field.
- Kansas City is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games on the road
- Kansas City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
- Kansas City is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing Cleveland
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Kansas City's last 5 games when playing Cleveland
- Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
- Cleveland is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games at home
- Cleveland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Kansas City at Cleveland, Sunday, May 28th
