Cleveland Indians at Kansas City Royals 5/3/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Cleveland Indians open a four-game series on the road Monday against American League Central rival the Kansas City Royals. Cleveland is 12-13 following a 7-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.The Indians have lost two of the last three and have fallen to third place in the AL Central four games behind the first-place Kansas City Royals.

Franmil Reyes is batting .279 to lead Cleveland and the right fielder has a team-high 18 RBIs. Third baseman Jose Ramirez is leading Cleveland in home runs with seven, hits with 24 and on-base percentage at .337. Cleveland has hit 32 home runs in its first 225 games played. On Monday, Cleveland will send Aaron Civale to the mound. The right-hander is 4-0 with an ERA of 2.94, 26 Ks and 9 BBs.

Kansas City improved to 16-9 following a 11-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Andrew Benintendi hit a pair of home runs for Kansas City, while Salvador Perez homered and had three RBIs for the Royals. Kansas City is first in the American League Central with a 1 ½-game lead over the second place Chicago White Sox. Kansas City has won two of the last three and seven of its last nine. 

Salvador Perez is batting .280 to lead Kansas City and the catcher has a team-high 28 hits. First baseman Carlos Santana is leading Kansas City in home runs with six, RBIs with 21 and on-base percentage at .374. Kansas City has hit 26 home runs in its first 25 games. On Monday, Kansas City will send Jakob Junis to the mound. The right-hander is 1-1 with an ERA of 3.47, 27 Ks and 8 BBs.