The Cleveland Guardians (69-64) and Kansas City Royals (55-81) meet Tuesday as they continue a 3-game set. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET at Kauffman Stadium.

Season series: Cleveland leads 7-4

The Guardians had lost 5 games in a row and 8 of their previous 10 before winning Monday’s series opener 6-5 in 10 innings. Cleveland had 3 extra-base hits Monday; it hadn’t had more than 2 in a game since Aug. 26.

The Royals are just 8-15 since Aug. 12. Kansas City pitching has especially had trouble on the mound of late. The Royals own a 5.52 ERA over their last 10 games.

Guardians at Royals projected starters

RHP Shane Bieber vs. LHP Kris Bubic

Bieber (8-8, 3.06 ERA) has registered a 1.08 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 through 159 IP across 25 starts.

• Tied a season-high with 11 K in his last start; made 104 pitches in that start. That total marks his highest in a single game since June 14.
• Owns a 2.88 ERA on the road
• Has held current K.C. batters to a strikeout-laden .640 OPS

Bubic (2-10, 5.47 ERA) owns a 1.67 WHIP, 4.5 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9 through 105 1/3 IP in 23 games (22 starts).

• Facing a Cleveland lineup that ranks 29th in OPS against left-handers (.628)
• Owns a 7.45 ERA and 2.17 WHIP over his last 4 starts

Guardians at Royals odds and lines

• Money line: Guardians -205 (bet $205 to win $100) | Royals +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Guardians -1.5 (-115) | Royals +1.5 (-105)
• Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: -102 | U: -122)

Guardians at Royals picks and predictions

Prediction

Guardians 5, Royals 4

Money line

The Royals are a lean but not an actionable one at this price. There’s a lot of juice obscuring an underdog play here AVOID.

Run line/Against the spread

Bubic has been hurt by a .330 batting average on balls in play. Recent starts have been even more unlucky. He’s also backed by a bullpen with a fatigue edge.

With the way the Royals have hit at home and with the Guardians scuffling a bit lately BACK THE ROYALS +1.5 (-105).

Over/Under

TAKE THE OVER 7.5 (-102).

Peg the Kansas City offense as being a value — especially at home.

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