Hot-hitting Bobby Witt Jr. will be looking to extend his 13-game hitting streak as the Kansas City Royals (-125) match up against the Cleveland Guardians (+105) at Progressive Field on Sunday. The early total has been set at 7.The Royals (64-94) evened up the series 1-1 after winning 7-1 on Saturday, their sixth head-to-head victory in 15 games this season. Starter Kris Bubic threw five scoreless innings – striking out eight – for the win. Salvador Perez was 4 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Drew Waters added a home run and a double. He scored two runs. Owen Miller went 1 for 3 with a double and one RBI for the Guardians (89-69).
ON THE MOUND
Max Castillo (0-1, 4.19 ERA) is set for the start for Kansas City. The right-hander allowed three runs in zero innings of relief in his last appearance, a 10-3 home defeat against the Tigers on Thursday. He gave up one hit and walked two. Righty Shane Bieber (12-8, 2.81 ERA) will toe the rubber for Cleveland. He has made two appearances against the Royals this season, both starts, giving up two runs (1 ER) over 12.2 innings (1-0, 0.71) with 11 strikeouts and one walk. In his last start on Tuesday, Bieber took a no-decision at home against the Rays. He threw six innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out six, in the 6-5 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged 3.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.0. Against righties like Bieber this season, the Royals have a .678 OPS. Witt Jr. is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .735 OPS in 434 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging only 3.2 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.3 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.244/.297/.320). The Guardians have a .715 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .913 OPS over 432 at-bats, Jose Ramirez has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 25-52 in away games in 2022, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 5.0 runs. Cleveland has gone 43-34 at home this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 meetings at Progressive Field, Cleveland is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.6-3.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Guardians lead the AL Central by 11 games over the White Sox. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 25 games behind the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians (-225)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
