Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians Picks and Prediction for Monday, September 8, 2025
Our Royals vs. Guardians prediction sees the Kansas City Royals (73-70) getting ready to take on the Cleveland Guardians (72-70) in American League Central action at Progressive Field on Monday evening in the first game of a four-game series. The Royals lost at home on Sunday to the Minnesota Twins 5-1 while the Guardians are coming off a 2-1 road win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Rookie right-hander Ryan Bergert gets the start for the Royals while young righty Slade Cecconi pitches for the Guardians. Today’s edge: MLB predictions for Milwaukee Brewers vs Pittsburgh Pirates with form and matchup notes.
Royals Making Postseason Push
The Kansas City Royals are coming off a 5-1 home loss on Sunday against the Minnesota Twins last time out. The team held their own offensively as they were able to go 7-for-31 with five walks and seven strikeouts as on the day. Kansas City was only 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base. Michael Lorenzen struggled in a losing effort as he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed four runs.
The Royals are going to be sending rookie right-hander Ryan Bergert to the mound and he is currently 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 69.0 innings. He has done well throughout the season in terms of keeping the ball in the park as he allowed eight thus far. Bergert will be facing the Guardians for the first time in his young career.
Injury Report for Kansas City
- Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr: Back (Questionable)
- Pitcher Seth Lugo: Back (OUT)
- Second baseman Jonathan India: Wrist (OUT)
- Pitcher Bailey Falter: Biceps (OUT)
- Pitcher Hunter Harvey: Abductor (OUT)
- Pitcher Steven Cruz: Shoulder (OUT)
- Pitcher Kris Bubic: Rotator Cuff (OUT)
- Pitcher Cole Ragans: Rotator Cuff (OUT)
- Pitcher Alec Marsh: Shoulder (OUT)
- Pitcher James McArthur: Elbow (OUT)
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Guardians Fighting for AL Wild Card Spot
The Cleveland Guardians are looking to build upon their 2-1 road win on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays to end their series. The lineup was able to go 7-for-32 with five walks and seven strikeouts as Steven Kwan stole a base in the game. The team was 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and stranded nine on base. Parker Messick pitched well as he allowed one run in six innings for the win.
Young right-hander Slade Cecconi will be getting the start for the Cleveland Guardians and is struggling a bit as he is 5-6 with a 4.78 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 107.1 innings (19 starts) so far. Hitters are not doing as well against him as he has a .270 opposing batting average up to this point after a .294 batting average against in 2024. Keller faced the Brew Crew twice this year already and is 0-1 in 10.0 innings and gave up seven runs on 15 hits with two walks and 12 strikeouts. This will be his first career outing against the Royals so this will be a good test for him.
Injury Report for Cleveland
- Pitcher Nic Enright: Elbow (OUT)
- Center fielder Lane Thomas: Foot (OUT)
- Right fielder Will Brennan: Forearm (OUT)
- Pitcher Andrew Walters: Lat (OUT)
- Pitcher Ben Lively: Forearm (OUT)
- Pitcher John Means: Elbow (OUT)
- Pitcher Sam Hentges: Shoulder (OUT)
Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians Pick
Spread Pick for Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians
- Kansas City Royals -118 (5 units)
Since the All-Star break, these pitchers are performing at two different levels as Ryan Bergert is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA and a .176 batting average against in 37.1 innings (seven starts) while Slade Cecconi is 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP in 52.1 innings (nine starts). These bullpens are very similar as well as they are both tied for fourth place with a 3.56 reliever ERA this year. The Royals have won three of the previous four games against the Guardians so take the Kansas City Royals to win here.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,502.00 |
| 2 |  Pro Sports Picks | +1,421.00 |
| 3 |  Brick Haus Sports | +634.00 |
| 4 |  David Delano | +492.00 |
| 5 |  Michael Briggs | +355.00 |
Over/Under Pick for Milwaukee Brewers vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
- Under (4 units)
In the previous 15 days, these teams are not scoring too many runs as the Royals are averaging 3.75 runs per game in that stretch while the Guardians are scoring 3.92 runs per game. Over the course of the season, these teams are not doing too well when looking at their ability to hit with runners in scoring position. Kansas City is 24th with a .696 team OPS in those chances while Cleveland is 22nd with a .722 team OPS with runners in scoring position. All in all, go with the under as the better play.
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