Royals vs. Indians Pick
Are the host Cleveland Indians going to push their incredible American League-record win streak to 23 games versus the Kansas City Royals Friday night? Game time is 7:10PM EST.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Indians are set as a -200 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Royals are a +170 underdog and the over-under is 9.
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On the mound for the Royals will be Jason Vargas (15-10, 4-15 ERA), while the Indians are turning to Trevor Bauer (16-8, 4.33). Vargas carries a 1.33 WHIP with 116 strikeouts over 158 1/3 innings. He allowed one earned run on four hits with three strikeouts and a walk over five innings in an 11-3 home win over the Twins his last start. Vargas has a 4.65 ERA in 13 road starts. Bauer comes in with a 1.39 WHIP and 177 strikeouts in 158 innings. He surrendered two earned runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and no walks over 6 1/3 innings his last start, a 3-2 home win over the Orioles. Cleveland has won his last five starts.
Kansas City enters with a 72-74 overall record and 33-38 on the road, while Cleveland is 91-56 and 43-29 at home. The Indians have won seven of the last 10 meetings and the total has gone under six times.
The winning streak continued in dramatic fashion Thursday night as Francisco Lindor hit an RBI double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the score at 2-2, while Jay Bruce won it in the bottom of the 10th with an RBI single. Jose Ramirez was 4-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and a run scored in the victory. Carlos Santana was 2-for-4. Cody Allen picked up the win in relief.
Down to his last strike, Lindor sent Progressive Field into jubilation Thursday night when he ripped his double off the left field fence. Cleveland extended the historic winning streak an inning later and the story rolls on. Bauer has been a very reliable pitching option the last several months, while the Indians should be able to figure out Vargas with its lengthy array of offensive weapons. Chalk up a 23rd win in a row.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: CLEVELAND INDIANS -200