- Cleveland (39-20) and Kansas City (36-25) are playing their first series of the 2024 season
- Both AL Central clubs rank top ten in runs scored and opponent runs allowed per game
- Guardians vs Royals will take place at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH on Wednesday, June 5 at 6:40 PM ET
Heading into their three-game series, the Cleveland Guardians hold a four-game lead over the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central.
Who will come out on top in Wednesday’s division battle? Before we look at the latest game odds, here’s where you can find our best MLB betting sites and our 2024 World Series betting guide.
Guardians vs Royals
Cleveland atop the AL Central
Before falling to the Nationals on Sunday, Cleveland had won nine in a row at home, doubling their opponents in runs scored (50-25) over that span. Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor have combined for over 30 home runs and both David Fry (.355) and Steven Kwan (.362) are among the league leaders in batting average.
Stephen Vogt’s team takes a four-game cushion in the AL Central into their three-game series with the Royals.
There is no superstar like José Ramírez and, frankly, it’s not even close.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/p4A5DwGH4m
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 1, 2024
Royals slumping
Kansas City is coming off a bad week, losing three of four to Minnesota and two of three to San Diego. They were about to lose their seventh game in their last eight contests before scoring three runs in the ninth to defeat the Padres on Sunday.
Can the momentum from that victory spur Kansas City to a series win over their AL Central foes? Bobby Witt Jr. is leading the AL in hits and the majors in runs. The Royals shortstop has 16 doubles, six triples, nine home runs and 42 RBIs this year.
Cleveland vs Kansas City
Cleveland is -108 on the money line while the Royals are -102 to pick up the victory at Progressive Field. With a 14-15 record on the road heading into the series, Kansas City is -215 to cover the +1.5 run line on Wednesday. With a 20-7 record at home this season, the Guardians are +185 to cover the -1.5 spread.
The over/under has been set at 8 total runs. Cleveland (5.05) and Kansas City (5.15) both rank in the top six in runs scored per game. The Royals have the slightly better pitching staff, ranking No. 4 in opponent runs allowed per game (3.66) while the Guardians rank No. 7 at 3.73.
Bobby Witt Jr is a freak pic.twitter.com/JjekWmyWnP
— BBQ Sports (@RealBBQSports) May 30, 2024
Pitching matchup
Brady Singer (4-2) missed his scheduled start for the Royals last Thursday with an unspecified illness. He allowed only one earned run on five hits over five innings in his last appearance versus the Rays. Through 11 outings, the 27-year-old has a solid 2.63 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 64 strikeouts.
Logan Allen (6-3) struck out seven Angels to earn his third-straight win last Friday. Over his last three outings, the lefty has a 1.53 ERA versus a 4.89 ERA in 57 innings in 2024.
Best Bet
With two quality starters on the hill, we like the UNDER 8 runs (+100). Given the Royals’ stumbles of late, and the Guardians’ season-long success at Progressive Field, we’ll take Cleveland to cover -1.5 runs (+185) on Wednesday.
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