MLB Odds – Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals

Forget the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins.  The American League Central has two new leaders this season.  The Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals have laid claim to the top spots in the division and show no signs of letting up.

Coming off a 7-3 Indian win last night, the teams go head-to-head again tonight in the Tuesday night MLB odds.

Cleveland Indians (12-4) at Kansas City Royals (10-6)
Tuesday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET
Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: STO, FSKC

MLB Odds: Cleveland +1.5, Kansas City -1.5, Game Total: 9 runs

Going for their fifth consecutive win, the Cleveland Indians hope to get another win on the road tonight against the Royals. With victories in 12 of their last 14 games, the Cleveland lineup is batting .326 on the season.

However, the strongest factor of Cleveland’s success is its starting rotation.  After two losses to the Chicago White Sox to start the season, the pitching has been solid. But tonight the Indians send an untested arm to the mound, as Jeanmar Gomez will get his season debut against Kansas City.

Gomez went 4-5 last season, with an average ERA of 4.68. Against the Royals, Gomez was at .500, with one win and one loss over an ERA of 2.70.

On the other side of the stripe, the Royals will look to southpaw Bruce Chen. Chen has been consistent for Kansas City this season, getting two wins and averaging an ERA of 2.37.

In his last outing against Seattle, Chen allowed one run in over eight innings of play, as he improved to six wins in a row.

Against the Indians least season, Chen went 2-2 with an ERA of 4.94.

One additional factor for the Indians is the return of Grady Sizemore, who has hit in five of his last nine at-bats with one homerun in his last two games.  Against Chen, Sizemore is four for six with a homer.

Despite the Indians recent success, I’d place my MLB bet on the more solid arm. Chen has had success on the season, while Gomez’s style of play remains to be seen. The best bet in the MLB odds for tonight’s matchup is on the Royals.

MLB Odds Free Pick – Take Kansas City -1.5!