The Kansas City Royals visit the Cleveland Guardians for the start of a three game series Monday night. This game will continue our MLB odds series as we hand out a Royals-Guardians prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.

The Royals are currently on a five game losing streak after being swept by the New York Yankees over the weekend. It does not get any easier for Kansas City as they take on a Guardians team that has beaten them in five of their seven meetings. Against Cleveland this season, the Royals are batting .191. In seven games played, Kansas City has scored just 17 runs. They can not seem to get anything going against the Guardians when they meet. Bobby Witt Jr leads the team with seven hits, including a home run. However, the Royals have just two home runs in seven games with the other coming off the bat of Kyle Isbel. On the mound, the Royals have a 5.31 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 6.0 K/9 against Cleveland this season. They have gotten four quality starts, though.

The Guardians are still fighting for first place in the AL Central as they took two of three from the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend. Cleveland is three games back and can easily make up some ground against the Royals. When playing Kansas City, the Guardians are batting .304 with seven home runs, and 39 runs scored. Josh Naylor has 13 hits to lead the team, including a home run. Josh Bell and Jose Ramirez have two home runs each in the seasons series with the Royals. On the mound, the Guardians are pitching very well against Kansas City. They have a 2.13 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 9.5 K/9.

Ryan Yarbrough and Logan Allen will be the starting pitchers in this game.

Here are the Royals-Guardians MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Royals-Guardians Odds

Kansas City Royals: +1.5 (-130)

Cleveland Guardians: -1.5 (+108)

Over: 8.5 (=115)

Under: 8.5 (-105)

How To Watch Royals vs. Guardians

TV: Bally Sports Kansas City, Bally Sports Great Lakes

Stream: MLB TV subscription

Time: 7:10 PM ET/4:10 PM PT

*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why The Royals Could Cover The Spread

Yarbrough is not having the best season, but he has pitched well since coming off the IL. In fact, his first start back was against the Guardians, and he dominated. In that game, Yarbrough finished with six innings pitched, one run allowed on six hits, and five strikeouts. Yarbrough threw just 78 pitches in those innings. He was very efficient and he kept Cleveland guessing at the plate. The lefty will have to do it all again in this game if the Royals want to win.

Yarbrough has been good in both starts since coming off the IL. He had a start against the Detroit Tigers after the All-Star break. He went 5 2/3 innings, allowed three runs and struck out four in that one. It doesnt look great, but only giving up three runs keeps the Royals in the game. If he can have the same type of outing Monday night, and allow just two or three runs, the Royals will have a great chance to cover the spread.

Why The Guardians Could Cover The Spread

Allen has been pitching well for the Guardians this season. He has a 3.21 ERA in 67 1/3 innings pitched. In his last three outings, Allen has thrown 12 2/3 innings and has not allowed a run. That streak has come against three of the weaker teams in the MLB, but that means he is performing well against teams he is supposed to beat. The Royals are a team he should be able to pitch well against, especially in their home ball park.

Allen already has a start against the Royals. It came at the end of June, and was cut short. However, he threw 3 2/3 scoreless against the Royals in that game. He struck out five and walked just two. Allen will need to go deeper into this game to give the Guardians the advantage. However, if Allen can have a repeat performance of that and keep throwing as he has been, the Guardians will be able to cover the spread.

Final Royals-Guardians Prediction & Pick

The Royals are just as hard to bet on as the Athletics. Both pitchers have been throwing well for their teams, but it is not a high-profiled matchup. With that said, the Guardians are the better team, and I trust their pitcher more. I expect Clevelend to not only win this game, but cover the spread, as well.

Final Royals-Guardians Prediction & Pick:Guardians -1.5 (+108), Under 8.5 (-105)