The Cleveland Guardians usher in a new era against the Kansas City Royals
April 7, 2022
Guardians at Royals
Kaufman Stadium – Kansas City, MO
4:10 PM ET
Cleveland -125
The Major League Baseball season finally gets underway on Thursday. After being delayed due to a lockout, opening day is here!
For the Guardians, it’s the start of a new era. Formerly the Indians, Cleveland is rebranded for the 2022 season.
They’ll begin the year with Shane Bieber on the hill. A season ago, the righthander went 7-4 with a 3.17 ERA.
He’ll face a Kansas City team that he’s dominated during his career. Bieber is 4-0 against the Royals in 10 appearances, with 74 strikeouts and a 3.65 ERA. That bodes well for the Guardians.
On the other side, Zack Greinke gets the start. While certainly a big name, he’s not the same pitcher he was during his first stint with the Royals, when he was among the best in the game from 2004-10.
A season ago, Greinke finished with an 11-6 record. His ERA (4.16) was the highest it’s been since 2016. Clearly, the 38-year-old pitcher is beginning to tail off.
On a chilly day in Kansas City, lean toward the team with the better starter. The Guardians have the edge, making them the play.
Richard DeMala’s pick: Cleveland M/L (-120)
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