Hot-hitting Bobby Witt Jr. will be looking to extend his 11-game hitting streak as the Kansas City Royals (-210) face off against the Cleveland Guardians (+175) at Progressive Field on Friday to open a six-game series. The early total has been set at 7 with the over a -115 favorite. The Royals (63-93) are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip. They were just swept in three games against the Tigers, dropping the finale 10-3 on Thursday at Comerica Park. Vinnie Pasquantino was 2 for 4 with one run, stretching his on-base streak to 13 games. Ryan O’Hearn added a double, one run, and two RBIs. The Guardians (88-68) are kicking off the final series of their nine-game homestand. They won two of three against the Rays in their last series, taking the finale 2-1 on Thursday at Progressive Field. Will Brennan went 1 for 1 with one run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Guardians have won eight of 13 in the season series between the AL Central rivals, although they dropped a close one 2-1 in their last meeting on September 7 at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Reliever Scott Barlow threw one scoreless inning to get the win.
ON THE MOUND
Brady Singer (10-4, 2.99 ERA) is set to start for Kansas City. The righty allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 5-1 road win over the Mariners on September 23. He earned the win, scattering five hits while striking out eight and walking two. Over two previous starts against the Guardians this season, Singer has allowed 10 earned runs over 16 innings (0-0, 5.63). He has struck out nine and walked one. Right-hander Aaron Civale (3-6, 5.19 ERA) is on the mound for Cleveland. He has made two appearances against the Royals this season, both as the starter, giving up five runs (3 ER) over 10.1 innings (0-0, 2.61) with nine strikeouts and three walks. In his last start on Sunday, Civale got the win on the road against the Rangers. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out seven, in the 10-4 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The Kansas City offense is averaging 3.9 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .245/.308/.381. Witt Jr. leads the team in OPS at .735. The shortstop is slashing .256/.295/.440 with 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 81 runs over 144 games. Over the last five games, however, Kansas City has averaged 5.0 runs a game while performing better across the board (.287/.371/.460). Against righties like Civale this season, the Royals have a .678 OPS. Witt Jr. also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .733 OPS in 426 at-bats. Cleveland is slashing .253/.315/.382 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game. Jose Ramirez leads the team with a .863 OPS. The third baseman has 28 home runs, 119 RBIs, and 86 runs scored with a slash line of .276/.352/.511. The Guardians have a .714 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .906 OPS over 429 at-bats, Ramirez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Kansas City is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 24-51 in 2022. The Royals have scored 3.7 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.1 runs. Cleveland has gone 42-33 at their home park this season, averaging 3.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. Cleveland is 8-2 in the last 10 games between the teams at Progressive Field with an average scoreline of 5.8-3.2.
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 (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
