MLB Game Preview: Kansas City Royals (7-7) vs. Cleveland Guardians (7-6)

Date and Time: Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 4:10 PM ET
Venue: Progressive Field, Cleveland, Ohio

Team Overview:

• Kansas City Royals (7-6): The Royals have had a decent start to the season, currently sitting in the middle of the AL Central standings. Their offense has been inconsistent, ranking 29th in MLB with a .218 team batting average and 29th in slugging percentage at .314. However, Bobby Witt Jr. has been a standout performer, showcasing his all-around skills with a .342 batting average and a .539 slugging percentage. The Royals’ pitching staff has been a mixed bag, with Kris Bubic leading the way with a 0.71 ERA in his first two starts.
• Cleveland Guardians (6-6): The Guardians are off to a balanced start, sitting just behind the Royals in the AL Central standings. Their pitching staff has been a strength, ranking 10th in MLB with a 3.62 team ERA. Offensively, the Guardians have shown flashes of power, ranking seventh in MLB with 17 home runs. Gabriel Arias has been a key contributor, hitting .348 with three home runs and eight RBIs.

Pitching Matchup:

• Royals: Michael Lorenzen (1-1, 3.18 ERA) will take the mound for Kansas City. Lorenzen has been solid in his first two starts, allowing just four earned runs over 11 1/3 innings. He has a 1.15 WHIP and averages 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings.
• Guardians: Luis Ortiz (0-2, 8.44 ERA) will start for Cleveland. Ortiz has struggled in his first two outings, allowing 10 earned runs over 10 2/3 innings. He will need to find his form to give the Guardians a chance in this matchup.

Key Storylines:

1. Royals’ Offensive Struggles: Kansas City has struggled to generate consistent offense, ranking near the bottom in several key categories. They will need players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez to step up against Cleveland’s pitching staff.
2. Guardians’ Pitching Edge: Cleveland’s pitching staff, led by Ortiz and a strong bullpen, has been effective in limiting opposing offenses. They will look to capitalize on Kansas City’s struggles at the plate.
3. Head-to-Head: This is the second game of the series, with the Guardians winning the opener 7-0. Gabriel Arias was the star of the game, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs.

Kansas City Royals                           7.5

Cleveland Guardians                      – 135

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 11, 2025