A pair of productive hitters are set to face off when the Kansas City Royals (64-95) take on the Cleveland Guardians (90-69) at Progressive Field on Monday, as Vinnie Pasquantino and his 16-game on-base streak visit Andres Gimenez and his 16-game streak. The Guardians lead the series 2-1 after winning 7-5 on Sunday, their 10th head-to-head victory in 16 games this season. Starter Shane Bieber went five innings to get the win, allowing two runs (1 ER) on seven hits, and Emmanuel Clase picked up his 41st save with a scoreless ninth. Will Brennan went 2 for 5 with a home run and a triple in the win. He scored two runs and drove in three. Josh Naylor added a home run and three RBIs. Pasquantino was 3 for 4 with one run and one RBI for the Royals. MJ Melendez went 3 for 5 with a double and one RBI.
ON THE MOUND
Zack Greinke (4-9, 4.21 ERA) is set for the start for Kansas City. The right-hander threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 4-3 home defeat against the Tigers on Tuesday. He yielded four hits while striking out two and walking one in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Guardians this season, Greinke has allowed only two earned runs over 16.2 innings (1-0, 1.08). He has struck out eight and walked three. For Cleveland, righty Triston McKenzie (11-11, 2.99 ERA) takes the mound. He has made three appearances against the Royals this season, including two starts, giving up five runs (4 ER) over 14.2 innings (1-1, 2.45) with 10 strikeouts and nine walks. In his last start on Wednesday, McKenzie took a no-decision at home against the Rays. He threw six innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out six and walking one in the 2-1 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged 3.8 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.0. Against righties like McKenzie this season, the Royals have a .678 OPS. Bobby Witt Jr. is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .735 OPS in 434 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.3 for the season. The Guardians have a .715 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .388 OBP over 432 at-bats, Steven Kwan has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is 25-53 on the road in 2022, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Cleveland has gone 44-34 at their home park this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games between the AL Central rivals at Progressive Field, Cleveland is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.9-3.6.
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 (-190)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
