Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
Venue: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Where to watch: Bally Sports Great Lakes, Bally Sports Kansas City
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
BetMGM: Royals -115, Guardians -105
Caesars: NL
Season record
Guardians: 1-2
Royals: 2-1
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Guardians - Royals preview and analysis
If anything, we at least knew the Kansas City Royals weren't going to go 162-0 this season. The Cleveland Guardians made sure of that on Sunday with a dominant romp of the home team, 17-3, in the third game of the four-game set at Kauffman Stadium.
The series finale will take place Monday, and the Guardians will at least go into this matchup knowing they can score runs. After scoring a combined one total run through the first two games to open the season, the Guardians erupted for two touchdowns and a field goal with 10 runs coming in the first two innings.
Of the 22 hits, five of them came from the 3-spot by Steven Kwan, going 5-for-5 with four singles and a double to pace Cleveland. Oscar Mercado had a grand slam, and Owen Miller had four RBI.
“I know it’s three games in, but nobody wants to not get excited,” Guardians manager Terry Francona said. "When our young guys want to do things like that, it is exciting.”
Kwan was actually one of Cleveland's biggest surprises in spring training, batting .469 after a .301 run through three minor league seasons. We talked yesterday about needing the Guardians to find some offense in some capacity. That's one way to do it.
“I’m not surprised about what (Kwan) is doing,” Mercado said. “He is such a good player, knows himself and knows what he can do. He is such a sparkplug and it is going to be awesome to watch him play this year.”
That's why baseball is such a weird sport, lovable and enjoyable despite the weirdness. But the Royals, despite the sour note, needed those first two wins even when their offense isn't clicking right out the gates. Seven runs through three games isn't a good overall start despite how good the pitching has been for Kansas City. Not enough on this day, though.
Kris Bubic lasted only 0.2 innings while giving up five runs on three hits. Jackson Kowar tried to come in and settle things down, but gave up seven runs in just over three innings.
“It’s hard for a club to fight back when they’re putting up big numbers in the first and the second,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “We had an opportunity to keep it close, and we didn’t, and it just got out of hand. Those are the kind you learn from and move on from.”
You have to think at some point the Royals will put one out of the park. Kansas City doesn't have a homer in three games, which usually would indicate now would be the time for Salvador Perez to awaken from his slumber and crank one out. Time will tell, but at least they've ensured a split.
Prediction
This is going to be a fun pitching battle between Aaron Civale and Carlos Hernandez. Both in their mid-20s, both with high expectations after solid seasons in 2021. Civale went 12-5 last season, while Hernandez went 6-2. These two will be called upon to carry their teams with the hope of making a push this season. Kansas City's pitching has been tremendous to start, and if Hernandez can come in from the four spot and pitch well, how good are the Royals feeling right now? Royals win 5-3
Betting trends
Guardians are 41-56 (-15.8 net games on money line) when ML is between +125 and -125 the past three seasons.
Guardians are 13-3 (+10.9 net games on ML) all-time when Civale makes a start in the first half of the season.
Royals are 17-9 (+8 games on ML) in April the past three seasons.
Projected lineup
Guardians:
Myles Straw (R) CF
Steven Kwan (L) LF
Jose Ramirez (S) 3B
Franmil Reyes (R) DH
Amed Rosario (R) SS
Owen Miller (R) 1B
Ernie Clement (R) 2B
Oscar Mercado (R) RF
Bryan Lavastida (R) C
Royals:
Whit Merrifield (R) RF
Bobby Witt Jr. (R) 3B
Andrew Benintendi (L) LF
Salvador Perez (R) C
Carlos Santana (S) DH
Hunter Dozier (R) 1B
Adalberto Mondesi (S) SS
Michael A. Taylor (R) CF
Nicky Lopez (L) 2B
Starting pitchers
CLE: Aaron Civale
KC: Carlos Hernandez
Statistical leaders
Guardians:
Batting average: Steven Kwan -- .800
Hits: Steven Kwan -- 8
Home runs: Two tied -- 1
RBI: Oscar Mercado -- 5
Wins: Cal Quantrill -- 1
Saves: N/A
ERA: Shane Bieber -- 1.93
Royals:
Batting average: Andrew Benintendi -- .400
Hits: Two tied -- 4
Home runs: N/A
RBI: Bobby Witt -- 3
Wins: Two tied -- 1
Saves: N/A
ERA: Brad Keller -- 0.00
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