Guardians vs. Royals Betting Preview August 4, 2024

The Cleveland Guardians enjoyed yet another victory as the Kansas City Royals appear to be imploding for the first time this season.

Brayan Rocchio drove in four runs and the Guardians beat Kansas City 7-1 Tuesday night, extending the Royals’ losing streak to a season-high seven.

Kansas City was held to two runs or fewer for the fifth straight game and managed just four hits. The Royals’ losing streak is its longest since a 10-game skid from June 5-16 last year.

Since tying Cleveland for the AL Central lead on Aug. 27, the Royals (76-65) have dropped 5 1/2 games behind the Guardians (80-59), who have won five of six. Kansas City maintained a 4 1/2-game lead for the final AL wild card.

Wednesday's game features a line of Royals -135 and Guardians +115.

PITCHING PROBABLES: Guardians: Ben Lively (11-8, 3.92 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 105 strikeouts); Royals: Seth Lugo (14-8, 3.12 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 155 strikeouts)

The Royals have pounded Lively in the past. Lively was clobbered in a no-decision against the Pirates on Friday evening, surrendering six runs on nine hits over his 4 1/3 innings of work.  In his prior start, Lively did earn the win.

Cleveland Guardians career statistics vs. Seth Lugo are .232 getting ten RBIs in 56 at bats to go along with three home runs.  Take away Austin Hedges, who is just .161 on the season, and that career statistics number gets much lower.

Lugo fanned nine while allowing one run in seven innings Friday against the Astros.

TOP PERFORMERS: Bobby Witt Jr. leads the Royals with 30 home runs while slugging .612. Vinnie Pasquantino is 10-for-43 with three doubles, a home run and five RBI over the past 10 games.

Steven Kwan has 16 doubles, three triples and 13 home runs for the Guardians. Jhonkensy Noel is 9-for-33 with two doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Royals: 3-7, .203 batting average, 4.65 ERA, outscored by 11 runs

Guardians: 6-4, .258 batting average, 3.90 ERA, outscored opponents by five runs