{"id":204081,"date":"2025-07-26T12:30:40","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T12:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/204081\/"},"modified":"2025-07-26T12:30:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T12:30:40","slug":"guardians-at-royals-ppd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/204081\/","title":{"rendered":"Guardians at Royals, ppd."},"content":{"rendered":"

Update 8:04 p.m. ET: Friday’s Cleveland Guardians<\/a> at Kansas City Royals<\/a> game was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as a part of a split doubleheader Saturday with the opener set for 2:40 p.m. ET and the second contest set for 7:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

Original column below (published 1:56 p.m. ET)<\/p>\n

The Cleveland Guardians (51-51) face the Kansas City Royals (50-53) in the opener of a 3-game set Friday. First pitch from Kauffman Stadium in K.C. is set for 8:10 p.m. ET (Apple TV+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s<\/a> MLB odds around the Guardians vs. Royals odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n

Season series: Guardians lead 4-2<\/p>\n

The Guardians snapped a 4-game winning streak with a 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles Thursday. OF Steven Kwan left the yard twice to give him 8 homers on the year. 3B Jose Ramirez is hitting .333 with 3 homers and 6 RBIs the last 7 days and has 8 homers and 18 RBIs this month.<\/p>\n

The Royals are 3-3 out of the All-Star break and had Thursday off after taking 2 of 3 at the Chicago Cubs. They won 8-4 Wednesday. 1B Vinnie Pasquantino left the yard twice to give him 17 dingers on the year.<\/p>\n

Cleveland sits 3 games out of a Wild Card spot, and K.C. is right behind it at 4\u00bd back.<\/p>\n

Guardians at Royals projected starters<\/p>\n

RHP Gavin Williams vs. RHP Michael Wacha<\/p>\n

Williams (6-4, 3.54 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.38 WHIP, 5.0 BB\/9 and 9.1 K\/9 through 104 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n

Last start: Win, 7 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 11 K in 8-2 home win over A’s SundayLast 5 starts vs. K.C.: 2-1, 2.70 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 26 K in 26 2\/3 IP<\/p>\n

Wacha (4-9, 3.62 ERA) makes his 21st start. He has a 1.24 WHIP, 2.7 BB\/9 and 6.8 K\/9 through 97 innings.<\/p>\n

Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K in 3-1 loss at Miami Marlins SaturdayLast 5 starts vs. CLE: 1-2, 3.00 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 23 K in 27 IP<\/p>\n

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Guardians at Royals odds<\/p>\n

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:56 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n

Moneyline (ML): Guardians -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Royals -115 (bet $115 to win $100)Run line (RL)\/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians -1.5 (+165) | Royals +1.5 (-200)Over\/Under (O\/U): 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)Guardians at Royals picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n

Guardians 4, Royals 3<\/p>\n

The Guardians are the same team at home as on the road. They’re 25-25 at home and 26-26 on the road. They’re also 17-9 inside the division. Wacha has a career-low 6.8 K\/9, and I like the upside for the GUARDIANS (-105) here. If Williams can keep his walks in check, they should cruise.<\/p>\n

Give me GAVIN WILLIAMS OVER 4.5 STRIKEOUTS (-140). He has 11, 5 and 8 K’s in his last 3 GS and 5+ K’s in 4 of his last 5 starts against K.C.<\/p>\n

It’s slated to be 83 degrees with wind going all over the place. There’s also a 40% chance of rain. Kauffman is a big park, and neither team has a great offense (CLE 26th at 3.9 R\/game; K.C. 29th at 3.5 R\/game).<\/p>\n

I’ll LEAN UNDER 8 (-105).<\/p>\n

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