Indians vs. Royals Friday Prediction
Despite Kauffman Stadium playing more like Coors Field than the pitcher-friendly park that it is most years, is the under a good play Friday night when the Royals host the Indians at 8:15 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
973 Cleveland Indians (-140) at 974 Kansas City Royals (+130); 7.5 runs
Friday, April 12, 2019
8:15 p.m. ET, Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
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Public Betting Trends
According to our MLB Public Betting Chart page, 67% of the betting tickets are on the Indians to beat the Royals on the moneyline.
Cleveland Indians Fantasy Spin
Carlos Santana finished 3-for-3 with three RBI and two walks against the Tigers on Thursday. Santana got off to a dreadfully slow start last year, but that hasn’t been the case in 2019; he’s batting .425 with a homer and 10 RBI in 12 games. It’s doubtful that he’ll continue to hit for average, but the OBP will be there all season long.
Kansas City Royals Fantasy Spin
Billy Hamilton’s MRI revealed a mild left knee sprain. He’s considered day-to-day. It’s great news after Hamilton was carted off the field following an outfield collision Thursday against Seattle. This might shelf Hamilton for a bit but it could have been a lot worse. The 28-year-old has always been a below-average hitter but he’s an excellent defender and remains one of the league’s top base-stealers.
MLB Betting Trends
Cleveland
The Indians have won eight of Carlos Carrasco’s last 10 road starts versus the Royals and are 4-0 in his last four outings versus Kansas City overall.
Kansas City
The Royals are just 18-37 in their last 55 games versus the Indians.
Prediction:
Carrasco was roughed up in his first start of the year, allowing 10 hits and six runs to the Twins. While he wasn’t perfect, he looked more like himself in his second start, striking out 12 over five innings while allowing just two runs versus the Blue Jays. The Royals’ offense is currently flying under the radar but Carrasco should keep Kansas City in check. I expect good things out of Brad Keller as well, as this Cleveland offense does not resemble the one that has taken the field the past three years. I like the under.
The Pick: Indians/Royals UNDER 7.5