Royals-Indians Lines Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Thursday when the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians meet at Progressive Field. The Royals will give the ball to ace starter Gil Meche in this one. Righthander Meche is 1-0 this season with a 2.25 ERA. Starting this game for the Indians will be Anthony Reyes. The righthander has a 5.73 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Indians listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Royals, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Brian Bannister threw six-complete shutout innings as the Royals defeated the Indians 2-0 on Wednesday, as +170 underdogs. The team's played UNDER the posted over/under (9.5). David DeJesus and Willie Bloomquist drove in the runs for the Royals. Joakim Soria tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn his fifth save. Cliff Lee gave up nine hits and two runs over eight innings of work for the Indians, who were favored at -190 in that game. Team records: Kansas City: 8-6 SU Cleveland: 5-10 SU Kansas City most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing Detroit are 3-7 After playing Cleveland are 7-3 After a win are 6-4 Cleveland most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Minnesota are 5-5 After playing Kansas City are 4-6 After a loss are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 8 of Kansas City's last 9 games when playing on the road against Cleveland Kansas City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland Kansas City is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games on the road Kansas City is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Cleveland The total has gone OVER in 8 of Cleveland's last 9 games when playing at home against Kansas City The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games at home Cleveland is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games at home The total has gone OVER in 10 of Cleveland's last 14 games Next up: Kansas City home to Detroit, Friday, April 24 Cleveland home to Minnesota, Friday, April 24