The Kansas City Royals (25-65) are on the road to face the Cleveland Guardians (45-44) at Progressive Field on Sunday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the four-game series.
The Guardians lead the series 3-0 after winning 10-6 on Saturday, their fifth head-to-head victory in six games this season. Starter Gavin Williams went 5.2 innings, giving up three runs on eight hits and striking out seven, to get the win.
Josh Bell went 3 for 3 with a double, one run, and two RBIs in the win. Bo Naylor went 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and two RBIs. Bobby Witt Jr. was 3 for 5 with a home run and a triple for the Royals. He drove in two runs. Kyle Isbel added a double, one run, and one RBI, walking twice.
ON THE MOUND
Ryan Yarbrough (1-4, 6.15 ERA) is set for the start for Kansas City. The left-hander allowed one run over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 5-1 home win over the Athletics on May 7. He earned the win, giving up three hits while striking out two.
For Cleveland, right-hander Shane Bieber (5-5, 3.66 ERA) gets the start. He has made one prior start against the Royals this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over six innings in a 4-3 road defeat on June 29.
He gave up two hits and walked one while striking out eight in the no-decision. In his last start on Tuesday, Bieber took a no-decision at home against the Braves. He threw 4.2 innings and gave up four runs on six hits, striking out four and walking five in the 6-5 win.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Kansas City has averaged only 2.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 3.7, while slashing worse across the board (.184/.228/.285). Against right-handed pitchers like Bieber this season, the Royals have a .649 OPS, second lowest in the league.
Salvador Perez is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .785 OPS in 226 at-bats. Cleveland is averaging 5.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.1 for the season, with a better slash line (.301/.349/.449).
The Guardians have a .681 OPS against Southpaws in 2023, the fifth lowest in the league. With a .872 OPS over 83 at-bats, Amed Rosario has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is on a seven-game losing streak away from Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, bringing their record to 12-34 in 2023. The Royals have scored 3.3 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.3 runs.
Cleveland has gone 24-21 at Progressive Field this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. Cleveland is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Progressive Field between the AL Central rivals with an average scoreline of 5.3-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Guardians lead the AL Central by zero games over the Twins. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 20 games behind the Guardians.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians -1.5 (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
