Two teams chasing down the third and final Wild Card berth in the American League open a crucial four-game set in Cleveland, as the Cleveland Guardians host the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals are two games behind Seattle, who currently holds the third and final Wild Card spot, with the Guardians 2.5 games behind.
Our Royals vs. Guardians predictions and MLB picks think KC can strike first thanks to a favorable pitching matchup on Monday.
Royals vs Guardians prediction
Royals vs Guardians best bet: Royals moneyline (-105)
Both teams enter this game on a decent run. The Kansas City Royals just had their three-game win streak snapped, but they've had the Cleveland Guardians’ number of late, winning three of the last four head-to-head meetings.
With offense hard to come by for both teams — Cleveland is 27th in scoring and KC ranks 28th — the Royals will gladly trot out righty Ryan Bergert.
The 25-year-old has been solid since being acquired from San Diego, posting a crisp 2.54 ERA in six starts with his new team. That includes allowing two or fewer runs in every start.
Cleveland has ripped off four wins in its last five, including a 2-1 win over Tampa on Sunday. The Guardians have kept the runs against to a minimum, allowing just five runs across their four wins.
Slade Cecconi would love to keep the good times rolling, but it’s been a struggle for him down the stretch. He hasn’t won a game since July 18, going 0-2 in the next eight starts. He carried a 6.31 ERA in August and was lit up for seven runs on 11 hits last time out against the Red Sox.
Perhaps the only reason for pause is the availability of KC’s all-star shortstop Bobby Witt (back), who’s missed the last two games. Still, Kansas City should ride Bergert to a crucial opening win in this set.
Royals vs Guardians same-game parlay (SGP)
Maikel Garcia is coming off a solid series with Minnesota, picking up at least a hit in each game of the series, including a HR and three RBI. He’s hit safely in eight of his last 11 games, picking up at least two total bases in five of those contests. Garcia should be able to take advantage of a shaky Cecconi on Monday.
We’ll wrap with Bergert, who has a reasonable 4.5-strikeout line. It’s a number he’s topped in four of his last five starts. He’s facing a Cleveland team that’s ranked in the Bottom 7 of team strikeouts at home.
Royals vs Guardians SGP
- Royals moneyline
- Maikel Garcia Over 1.5 total bases
- Ryan Bergert Over 4.5 strikeouts
Royals vs Guardians odds
- Moneyline: Kansas City +105 | Cleveland -125
- Run line: Kansas City +1.5 (-200) | Cleveland -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Royals vs Guardians trend
The Under has cashed in three of the last four meetings. Find more MLB betting trends for Royals vs. Guardians.
How to watch Royals vs Guardians and game info
| Location | Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH |
| Date | Monday, September 8, 2025 |
| First pitch | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | FDSN KC, CLEGUARDIANS.tv |
| Royals starting pitcher | Ryan Bergert (2-1, 2.61 ERA) |
| Guardians starting pitcher | Slade Cecconi (5-6, 4.78 ERA) |
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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