Two of the least productive offenses in MLB are set to square off at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday as the Kansas City Royals (22-56) host the Cleveland Guardians (37-40) for the opener of a three-game series.
The Guardians are kicking off a six-game road trip after closing out a successful six-game homestand (4-2). They won only one out of three in their last series against the Brewers, dropping the finale 5-4 on Sunday at Progressive Field.
Josh Naylor was 2 for 5 with a solo home run and a double. Andres Gimenez added a triple, one run, and one RBI. The Royals are back home for a six-game homestand after finishing up a seven-game road trip (3-4).
They split their last series against the Rays, dropping the finale 3-1 on Sunday at Tropicana Field. Bobby Witt Jr. went 1 for 4 with one run.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Guardians won the 2022 season series between the AL Central rivals (12-7), including four out of six in their most recent meeting at Progressive Field at the end of September.
ON THE MOUND
Gavin Williams (0-0, 6.35 ERA) is slated to start for Cleveland. The righty allowed four runs over 5.2 innings in his last start, a 7-6 road win over the Athletics on Wednesday. He scattered four hits while striking out four and walking three in the no-decision.
Righty Brady Singer (4-7, 6.34 ERA) gets the start for Kansas City. Singer made four appearances against the Guardians in 2022, including three starts, striking out 15 and walking two over 21.2 innings (0-1, 6.65).
In his last start on Wednesday, Singer took the loss on the road against the Tigers. He threw seven innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking one in the 9-4 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Cleveland offense is averaging 3.9 runs per game for the season, the fourth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .247/.311/.372. Jose Ramirez leads the team in OPS at .872.
The third baseman is slashing .293/.358/.514 with 12 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 46 runs over 73 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Singer this season, the Guardians have a .685 OPS. Ramirez also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .966 OPS in 199 at-bats.
Kansas City is slashing .234/.298/.380 for the season and averaging 3.8 runs per game, the third lowest in MLB. Salvador Perez leads the team with a .772 OPS. The catcher has 15 home runs, 39 RBIs, and 35 runs scored with a slash line of .263/.297/.475.
The Royals have a .671 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the third lowest in the league. With a .860 OPS over 199 at-bats, Perez also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cleveland is 17-21 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Kansas City has gone 10-28 at home this season, averaging 4.2 runs per game while surrendering 5.7.
The teams have split their last 10 games at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, though Cleveland has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.6-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Guardians are second in the AL Central, two games behind the division-leading Twins. The Royals are fifth in the AL Central, 17 games behind the Twins.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cleveland Guardians (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
