Daniel Lynch IV takes the mound for the Kansas City Royals as he faces off with Tanner Bibee and the Cleveland Guardians in an AL Central showdown on Thursday. It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Royals-Guardians prediction and pick.

Royals-Guardians Projected Starters 

Daniel Lynch IV vs. Tanner Bibee

Daniel Lynch IV (0-0) with a 1.50 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP.

Last Start: Lynch went five innings against the Twins, giving up three runs, with two earned and taking the no decision. In the game, Lynch gave up two home runs and five hits, while striking out 12. It was the third start of the season for Lynch and just the first runs he had given up all year.

2024 Road Splits: Lynch has not decided on the road. He has made one start, and appeared in two games, going seven total innings, and having a 2.57 ERA.

Tanner Bibee (4-1) with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP

Last Start:  Last time out, Bibee went 6.1 innings, giving up just three hits and a walk, while striking out seven. He gave up just one run in a win against the Nationals.

2024 Home Splits:  Bibee has not been as good at home as he has on the road. In six starts, Bibee is 2-1 at home, with a 5.29 ERA. Home runs have been an issue when at home, giving up five of them in his six starts. His last two starts at home have been great. He has pitched 13.1 innings, giving up just one run in his last two home outings.

Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Royals-Guardians Odds

Kansas City Royals: +1.5 (-178)

Moneyline: +128

Cleveland Guardians: -1.5 (+146)

Moneyline: -152

Over: 7.5 (-110)

Under: 7.5 (-110)

How to Watch Royals vs. Guardians

Time: 1:10 PM ET/ 10:10 AM PT

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Why The Royals Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Royals offense is sixth in the majors in runs scored this year while sitting seventh in batting average, 11th in base percentage, and sixth in slugging. Bobby Witt Jr. has led this team on the season. He is hitting .319 this year, with 16 doubles, six triples, and 11 home runs. This has. led to 46 RBIs and 54 runs scored. Witt has also stolen 17 bases this year. Witt leads the team in hitting, home runs, and RBIs this year.

In the last week of play,  Bobby Witt Jr. has continued his great year. He is hitting .444  in his last six games. He has scored six times while hitting two home runs and driving in ten. Vinnie Pasquantino has also been a major factor. He is hitting .364 in the last week with two home runs and seven RBIs. Further, while Nelson Velazquez has not hit great in the last week, he is producing when given a chance to drive in runs with seven RBIs while hitting just .200.

While the offense has been great this year, members of the Royals do not have a major track record to fall back on when it comes to facing Tanner Bibbe. Current Royals have just 13 at-bats lifetime against Bibee. Bobby Witt Jr. has been the best of the bunch. He has the only hit against Bibee, going one for two with a walk in three plate appearances.

Why The Guardians Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Guardians are tied for second in the majors in runs scored this year. They are 16th in batting average, eighth in on-base percentage, and tenth in slugging on the year. Jose Ramirez has led the offense this year. He is hitting .272 on the year with 13 doubles, 16 home runs, and 58 RBIs. Further, he has scored 46 times this year and stolen nine bases. All of those marks lead the Guardians this year. Josh Naylor has also been driving in runs this year. He is hitting just .229 on the year but is tied with Ramirez having 16 home runs. He has 44 TBIds and 34 runs scored. Meanwhile, Andres Giminez has also scored 34 times this year. He is hitting .271 on the year and leads the team with a .331 on-base percentage. Giminez also has driven in 33 runs.

In the last week, David Fry has been a primary bat on the offense. He is hitting .231 in the last week, with a home run and four RBIs. Still, the only run he has scored this year has been on his home run. Scoring has not been an issue for Josh Naylor, but getting on base has. He has four runs scored and four RBIs in the last week but is hitting just .167 with a .250 on base percentage.

Current members of the Guardians have 40 career at-bats against Daniel Lynch. They have hit well on his too. Guardians are hitting .375 lifetime against Lynch with a home run and 11 RBIS. Jose Ramirez has hit safely in five of 11 at-bats with three RBIs. Meanwhile, Austin Hedges has three hits and a walk in eight plate appearances while hitting a home run and driving in four against Lynch.

Final Royals-Guardians Prediction & Pick

This game will come down to how the Royals can fair against Tanner Bibee and if the Guardians can pick up from the slow offensive pace in the last week. The Royals offense has been solid in the last week overall, but the Guardians should be able to score against Daniel Lynch as well. That makes the best play in this game on the over.

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Final Royals-Guardians Prediction & Pick: Over 7.5 (-110)