The Royals and Guardians are battling out the AL Central, and we have a huge 4 game series at hand. Today we actually have a double header between these two division rivals, and the race for the title could not be any closer. After both of their foes had a bad weekend, the Guardians are back on top of the Central, leading both the Twins and the Royals by 3 games. However, they host the Yals today and with 4 games in 3 days, wins are crucial in this series.
The Royals dropped their last 2 games to the Phillies, scoring just 5 total runs while allowed 11 in each contest. The team certainly struggles on the road compared to being at home, but I think the pitching matchup works in their favor this afternoon. The Royals are tossing out lefty Cole Ragans to take on the Guardians, whom he’s seen just once this year. As for Cleveland, it will be a bullpen game for them this afternoon, as Nick Sandlin makes his 1st start of the season.
Will Kansas City be able to bring the noise on the road? Or will Cleveland extend their division lead?
Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians: AL Central Showdown
Can Cleveland defend their home field from the Royals?
Game Information – Royals vs Guardians
- Venue & Location: Progressive Field (Cleveland, OH)
- Date: Monday, August 26th, 2024
- First Pitch: 1:10pm Eastern
Royals vs Guardians Starting Pitchers
- Kansas City Royals: Cole Ragans (10-8, 3.31 ERA, 1.15 WHIP)
- Cleveland Guardians: Nick Sandfin (7-0, 3.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP)
Betting Odds
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Run Line
- Royals -1.5 (+129)
- Guardians +1.5 (-149)
Money Line
- Royals -123
- Guardians +113
Total
- Over 8.5 (+105)
- Under 8.5 (-125)
Will Ragans Lead Royals to Victory?
Cole Ragans starts tonight in Cleveland for the Royals
Don’t let Nick Sandfin’s 7-0 record fool you, he’s a bullpen guy that is making his first start, and probably won’t go more than a couple innings. Let’s focus on the Royals’ stud, Cole Ragans.
While the Guardians hit slightly better against lefties, Ragans shoves on the road and during the day. His ERA drops from 3.31 to 2.70 in 11 away starts, and down an entire run to 2.30 in 10 day games. That not enough for you? His Away WHIP is 1.04 and 1.01 during the day. Now, he had a rough outing at home against the Guardians the last time he saw them. Ragans pitched just 4.2 innings before giving up 5 runs on 6 hits while taking the loss.
He’s also coming off a loss in his last start, but did win 3 straight prior to that outing. In the month of August, Ragans has a 3.00 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 4 starts, and I see him bouncing back tonight. He struck out 6 Guardians in just 14 outs last time he saw them, and he’s posted 9, 8, and 7 strikeouts in his L3 starts. While he may not sit down a ton of batters tonight, I see him having a quality start, and successfully leading the Royals to a win.
Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians Best Bets
Back the Royals to take Game 1 of this double header today
Royals vs Guardians Prediction: Royals Win
Best Bet: Royals -1.5 (+129) BetOnline
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The Royals are absolutely lighting up batters-box.com today (Do NOT Forget the Hyphen). Kansas City boasts 4 Elite Hitters against the Guardians bullpen, 1 other with a Great rating, and another with an above average matchup. All 4 of those Elite hitters have elite or great Matchup wOBAs and Matchup ISOs as well, which should translate to hard hit balls and runners on base.
The Royals lead the regular season series over the Guardians 4-2 as it stands, and I don’t see that stopping tonight. While the Guardians do have 2 of their own Elite hitters, I see the Royals having more success against the Cleveland bullpen, as they rest Logan Allen for the second game of the double header. As always, do your line shopping, but I have no problem being a little greedy and taking the run line with my boys for a daytime sweat.
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