Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals: Will Cleveland win its first game as the Guardians?

Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals: Will Cleveland win its first game as the Guardians?

Cleveland now has a new mascot in the Guardians. Those Cleveland Guardians just made a huge splash right before the MLB season, retaining Jose Ramirez for another five seasons.

That could give the Guardians a boost going up against Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals. Greinke's career started in Kansas City and it's looking like it'll end in Kansas City as well.

Does Greinke still have the stuff to be dominant in the MLB? Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Opening Day between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals.

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Guardians vs Royals Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: April 7, 2022
• Game Time: 4:10 pm ET
• Where to Watch: BSKC/BSGL

Guardians vs. Royals Injury Report

Guardians

Out: P James Karinchak (Shoulder), OF Josh Naylor (Lower Leg)

Royals

None of Importance

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Guardians vs. Royals Line Movement

Guardians vs. Royals Opening Day Prediction

The Kansas City Royals have an interesting lineup. It looks like rookie infielder Bobby Witt Jr. will actually get the opening day nod to play third base for the Royals. The former second overall pick is going to get his shot and will bat in the two-spot in front of Andrew Benintendi and in back of Whitt Merrifield. He's got a ton of protection and should help a ton with production.

But not against Shane Bieber. Bieber, who will get the start for the Guardians in today's game, has held teams to a .274 xFIP with 36.1% strikeouts in his last two seasons. Walks can get a bit high but overall, Bieber is hard to hit. Lefties have an ISO of .120 in their last 353 plate appearances while righties have an ISO of .143 in their last 375 plate appearances against Bieber.

The Royals lineup has a .149 ISO combined in the last two seasons against righties. That's just not going to cut it.

On the other hand, Zack Greinke has struggled badly against right-handed hitters. Greinke has allowed a .350 wOBA and a .227 ISO agaisnt his last 588 righties. The Guardians don't have that much pop in their lineup but will have at least six righties including Jose Ramirez, Franmil Reyes, and Yu Chang, who have all had success when it comes to power against righties.

The Guardians have high strikeouts against righties but Greinke is aging and has only struck out 19.3% of batters in the last two seasons. If the Guardians can put the ball in play, good things are likely going to happen.

Let's take the Guardians Over 1.5 team total in the first five innings at -140.

Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals Pick

• Guardians Over 1.5 Team Total (-140) (Bet $140 to Win $100)

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