Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Guradians, Picks and Prediction, Monday, September 8, 2025
The KC Royals (73-70) take on Cleveland (72-70) in a big AL Central matchup on Monday night at 6:40pmET from Progressive Field. Both teams are fighting for a wild card spot and are on the outside looking in.
Royals win 3 of 4 games
Kansas City is coming off a 5-1 loss on Sunday against Minnesota, but they did win the series 2-1. The Royals sit at two games behind Seattle for the final wild card spot. Michael Lorenzen went 5.1 innings, allowing four runs, but surrendered two homers. He suffered a career-high 10th loss as the Royals wound up just 4-5 on the homestand.
Ryan Bogert will head to the mound for the Royals. He's 2-1 with a 2.61 ERA and has been lights out lately. Bergert was picked up in a trade with San Diego at the trade deadline. In his last start, he allowed just one run in five innings, but also walked three. Star SS Bobby Witt (back) missed the last two games and is questionable.
Guardians take 3 of 4 from Rays on the road
Cleveland is hanging in there late in the season with a chance to make the playoffs. They took the last three from Tampa Bay on the road, including a 2-1 win on Sunday. That put the Guardians at 25 games behind the final wild card spot. Closer Cade Smith picked up saves in the final two games, earning his 11th save in 16 opportunities.
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The Guardians will send Slade Cecconi to the mound. The right-hander is 5-6 with a 4.78 ERA this season. He has struggled lately, going 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA since beating the Athletics on July 18. In his last start, he gave up 11 hits and seven runs in an 11-7 loss to Boston on Sept. 2.
Royals vs. Guardians Pick
Spread Pick for Royals vs. Guardians
- Kansas City -106
Bergert has been sensational since coming over from San Diego. Cecconi has been the opposite. He's allowed 25 runs in his last five games, including eight homers. The Royals have also won three of the last four in this series. Kansas City has a huge edge in the starting pitching matchup. Take the Royals.
Over/Under Pick for Royals vs. Guardians
- Under 7.5
Cleveland has gone under in two straight and three of the last four. Kansas City has gone under in eight of their last nine games. If Witt doesn't play, that takes a big bat out of the lineup. With Bergert on the mound, they'll need just a few runs to win this game.
