Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals 9/20/23 – Today, in late-season American League action, the Cleveland Guardians take on the Kansas City Royals for an intense rivalry matchup. Both teams have seen different fortunes this season so far; starting pitchers Lucas Giolito for Cleveland and Zack Greinke for Kansas City have less-than-stellar years, respectively. We will examine both teams’ stats and odds to give you our MLB picks today.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 2:10 PM ET
Location: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
TV: BSKC
Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals 9/20/23 Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Guardians | -144 | -1.5 (+105) | 9 over (-115) |
| Royals | +132 | +1.5 (-125) | 9 under (-105) |
Cleveland Guardians Analysis
As for their offensive capabilities, the Guardians boast a batting average of 0.250 this season with 618 runs scored and 116 homers hit. Their slugging percentage stands at 0.381 while their on-base percentage stands at 0.313; these metrics reveal them to be relatively efficient, if not spectacular, performers.
Defensively, the Guardians are led by their pitching staff that boasts a respectable 3.91 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. They’ve recorded 1221 strikeouts and have kept the opponent’s batting average to 0.244. However, they have struggled on the road, losing 5 out of their last 6 games away from home.
Lucas Giolito, Cleveland’s starting pitcher, carries an 8-13 win-loss record with a 4.69 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 170.2 innings pitched. Despite his unfavorable record, he has managed to accumulate 189 strikeouts this season. His performance could be a crucial factor in this matchup against the Royals.
Kansas City Royals Analysis
The Royals have had a tough season, underscored by their 49-102 record. Offensively, they’ve managed a .242 batting average, 622 runs, and 150 home runs. Their slugging percentage of 0.396 is slightly better than Cleveland’s, but their on-base percentage of 0.301 leaves much to be desired.
Defensively, Kansas City has been porous, to say the least. Their 5.22 ERA and 1.41 WHIP are far from impressive. They have also allowed a high opponent batting average of 0.264. The Royals’ defense has been one of their major weak points this season.
Their starting pitcher, Zack Greinke, has a dismal 1-15 win-loss record with a 5.39 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. He’s only been able to manage 85 strikeouts over 128.2 innings pitched, making him less of a threat from the mound in this matchup.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals Against the Spread
Cleveland has seen the total go OVER in 4 of their last 5 games and are 9-4 straight up in their last 13 against Kansas City. They have, however, struggled on the road, losing 5 of their last 6 games. Despite this, their overall recent form seems stronger than that of the Royals, which could make them the better choice against the spread, particularly if you consider their 4-2 straight-up record in the last 6 games.
Conversely, the Royals are 5-1 in their last 6 games and 5-2 in their last 7 games at home. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of their last 9 games, signaling a trend towards lower-scoring games, particularly against Cleveland. Kansas City’s positive trend in recent games, especially at home, should not be ignored. This could suggest that they might cover the spread, especially if Greinke manages to deliver an above-average performance from the mound.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals Free Pick
Here are our expert picks for the Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals matchup:
Moneyline: Guardians -144.
Despite their recent road struggles, their overall record and stats make them the superior team.
Spread: Guardians -1.5 (+105)
Considering Cleveland’s recent success against Kansas City, taking them at -1.5 could offer good value.
Total: 9 under (-105)
Both teams have a trend of lower-scoring games when they face each other, making the UNDER a sensible pick.
Predicted Score: Cleveland Guardians 5, Kansas City Royals 3
As the season comes to a close, this matchup offers some intriguing options for those interested in Canadian live betting. Although both teams have had their struggles, the Cleveland Guardians appear to be the more reliable choice for today’s game.
