Cleveland Guardians Defeat Kansas City Royals 6-2
Monday, March 9, 2026, 4:05 PM ET · Surprise Stadium
Cleveland Guardians 6, Kansas City Royals 2, final. Our MLB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cleveland Guardians vs Kansas City Royals?
Cleveland Guardians beat Kansas City Royals 6-2 at Surprise Stadium on March 9, 2026.
In a decisive matchup at Surprise Stadium, the Cleveland Guardians triumphed over the Kansas City Royals with a final score of 6-2. This victory marks the Guardians' second consecutive win, extending their lead in the series against the Royals to 2-0. The Guardians have shown strong recent form, boasting a record of 7-3 over their last ten games, while the Royals have a record of 6-4 in the same span.
The Guardians' offense was powered by standout performances, particularly from Steven Kwan, who hit two home runs during the game. Kwan's first homer came in the third inning, driving in Austin Hedges, and his second in the fifth inning, bringing home Will Halpin. The Guardians continued their offensive onslaught with a third home run in the fifth inning from Gabriel Rocchio, further extending their lead to 5-0. The Royals managed to score two runs in the seventh inning, with a home run from Cooper Tresh, but it was not enough to close the gap.
In terms of recent form, the Royals have averaged 6.0 runs scored per game over their last ten, while allowing an average of 3.4 runs. Their home record stands at 3-2, and they have been competitive, but injuries have impacted their lineup. The Royals are currently missing several key players, including Maikel Garcia, Connor Seabold, Tony Gonsolin, James McArthur, and Beck Way, all of whom are on the injured list.
The Guardians, meanwhile, have been performing well on the road, with a 4-2 record in their last six away games. They have averaged 4.2 runs scored and allowed 3.3 runs during their last ten games. Their recent success can be attributed to a combination of solid pitching and timely hitting, as evidenced by their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities against the Royals.
In their head-to-head matchups, the Guardians have now won 8 of the last 12 encounters against the Royals, including a previous meeting earlier in the season where the Guardians also emerged victorious. The recent history suggests a competitive rivalry, but the Guardians have clearly had the upper hand.
As for the betting market, the odds reflect the Guardians' strong performance, with the home win probability for the Royals listed at 0.0%. This indicates a significant expectation for the Guardians to continue their winning ways.
The game was played under clear conditions, which allowed both teams to showcase their skills without weather disruptions. Viewers were treated to a display of power hitting from the Guardians, particularly from Kwan and Rocchio, while the Royals struggled to find their rhythm at the plate.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the Guardians' offensive capabilities and the challenges faced by the Royals due to their injury list. The Guardians will look to maintain their momentum in the upcoming games, while the Royals will need to regroup and find ways to overcome their current challenges.
Injury report
- Maikel Garcia10-Day-ILHamstringKansas City Royals
- Connor Seabold60-Day-ILLatKansas City Royals
- Tony Gonsolin15-Day-ILElbowKansas City Royals
- James McArthur60-Day-ILElbowKansas City Royals
- Beck Way15-Day-ILShoulderKansas City Royals
- Slade Cecconi15-Day-ILArmCleveland Guardians
- Rhys Hoskins10-Day-ILBackCleveland Guardians
- Shawn Armstrong60-Day-ILCalfCleveland Guardians
Recent form
Kansas City Royals
Last 10: 6-4Streak W16 scored · 3.4 allowed per game3-2 at home
- W4-2at AthleticsSep 28
- L3-4at AthleticsSep 27
- W9-4at Los Angeles AngelsSep 26
- L2-3at Los Angeles AngelsSep 25
- W8-4at Los Angeles AngelsSep 24
- L5-8vs Toronto Blue JaysSep 21
- W2-1vs Toronto Blue JaysSep 20
- W20-1vs Toronto Blue JaysSep 19
- L0-2vs Seattle MarinersSep 18
- W7-5vs Seattle MarinersSep 17
Cleveland Guardians
Last 10: 7-3Streak W24.2 scored · 3.3 allowed per game3-1 away
- W9-8vs Texas RangersSep 28
- W3-2vs Texas RangersSep 27
- L3-7vs Texas RangersSep 26
- L2-4vs Detroit TigersSep 25
- W5-1vs Detroit TigersSep 24
- W5-2vs Detroit TigersSep 23
- L2-6at Minnesota TwinsSep 21
- W6-2at Minnesota TwinsSep 20
- W3-1at Detroit TigersSep 18
- W4-0at Detroit TigersSep 17
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | - | 66 | L1 | .525 | 73 |
| Cleveland | 3 | 69 | L1 | .504 | 70 |
| Minnesota | 6.5 | 73 | L1 | .479 | 67 |
| Detroit | 9 | 75 | W1 | .460 | 64 |
| Kansas City | 11.5 | 78 | L3 | .443 | 62 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Inning2-0Kwan homered to right (378 feet), Hedges scored.
- 5th Inning4-0Kwan homered to right (391 feet), Halpin scored.
- 5th Inning5-0Rocchio homered to right center (408 feet).
- 6th Inning6-0Hoskins doubled to left, Fernandez scored.
- 7th Inning6-2Tresh homered to left center (417 feet), Cross scored.
Win probability
Above the line favours Kansas City Royals, below favours Cleveland Guardians.
Venue
- Surprise StadiumSurprise, Arizona
- Attendance4398
- OfficialsSean Sparling, Alan Porter, Malachi Moore, Evin Johnson
Elsewhere
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These two, other days
- Royals Edge Guardians in Close Contest at Kauffman StadiumSep 27, 2026
- Cleveland Guardians Defeat Kansas City Royals 11-5Sep 26, 2026
- Guardians Edge Royals in High-Scoring AffairSep 25, 2026
- Guardians Dominate Royals in 11-1 VictoryAug 30, 2026
- Royals Defeat Guardians 8-3 in Cleveland ShowdownAug 29, 2026