Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase — a rumored MLB trade deadline target — has been placed on paid leave in connection with a sports-gambling investigation, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Monday. Clase is reportedly on leave through Aug. 31, per The Athletic's Zack Meisel.

The Royals welcome the Atlanta Braves to Kauffman Stadium on Monday night. KC left-hander Rich Hill (0-1, 1.80 ERA) will make his second MLB start of the season opposite right-handed Braves ace Spencer Strider (4-8, 3.72 ERA).

Preview the July 27 matchup between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.

The Cleveland Guardians were rolling and playing some of their best baseball of the season coming out of the All-Star Break. However, they hit a roadblock in Missouri with a series loss against the Kansas City Royals. The Guardians split Saturday’s doubleheader but lost Sunday’s rubber match in a frustrating fashion.

The Royals chipped into the Guardians’ lead behind home runs from Freddy Fermin and Bobby Witt Jr. Fermin’s came in the second inning, when he belted an 87 mph cutter into the Guardians’ bullpen for his third home run of the season.

When the Kansas City Royals host the Cleveland Guardians in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon, both teams will have plenty on their minds.

The Kansas City Royals' series opener against the visiting Cleveland Guardians was postponed Friday due to inclement weather.

KANSAS CITY — The Guardians have exchanged one infielder for another before opening their three-game series against the Royals on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium. They’ve activated Gabriel Arias from the injured list and optioned Will Wilson to Triple-A Columbus. Arias was placed on the IL with a sprained left ankle on June 30.

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