The Cleveland Guardians host the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on Saturday, August 29, with first pitch set for 4:10 PM ET. Foster Griffin takes the ball for Cleveland against Kansas City left-hander Daniel Lynch IV in what shapes up as a pivotal AL Central regular season matchup. With Bobby Witt Jr. anchoring the Royals lineup and José Ramírez doing the same for the Guardians, both clubs bring serious offensive firepower into this one. Catch the game on Guardians.TV Presented by Progressive or on WTAM 1100, 96.5 The Fan, and WMMS 100.7.

Starting Pitchers: Foster Griffin vs. Daniel Lynch IV

Foster Griffin gets the nod for Cleveland in what is a significant assignment. Without detailed ERA or record data available heading into this one, what matters is the opportunity — Griffin takes the mound at home in front of a Progressive Field crowd that expects competitive baseball. He will need to be efficient early and limit traffic against a Royals lineup that has plenty of contact options from top to bottom.

Daniel Lynch IV starts for Kansas City. The left-hander presents a matchup challenge for a Guardians lineup loaded with left-handed and switch hitters, including Steven Kwan and José Ramírez. How Cleveland's offense adjusts to Lynch early in the game could determine the tone of the entire afternoon.

Cleveland Guardians Starting Lineup

• 1. Steven Kwan, CF
• 2. Chase DeLauter, DH
• 3. José Ramírez, 3B
• 4. Jo Adell, RF
• 5. Angel Martínez, LF
• 6. David Fry, 1B
• 7. Angel Genao, 2B
• 8. Austin Hedges, C
• 9. Brayan Rocchio, SS

Kansas City Royals Starting Lineup

• 1. Carter Jensen, DH
• 2. Bobby Witt Jr., SS
• 3. Jac Caglianone, RF
• 4. Salvador Perez, 1B
• 5. Nick Loftin, 3B
• 6. Tyler Tolbert, CF
• 7. Isaac Collins, 2B
• 8. Matthew Lugo, LF
• 9. Luke Maile, C

Keys to Watch in This AL Central Matchup

José Ramírez Against a Left-Hander

Ramírez hitting third gives Cleveland its most dangerous bat in a prime run-producing spot. How he handles Lynch IV will set the stage for the middle of this order. If Ramírez gets on base consistently, it puts pressure on the entire Royals pitching staff for the rest of the game.

Bobby Witt Jr. as the Royals' Catalyst

Hitting second and playing shortstop, Witt Jr. is the engine that makes Kansas City's offense run. Griffin must keep Witt Jr. off the bases, because once he gets on, the Royals have the lineup depth to make Cleveland pay.

The Bottom of Cleveland's Order

Angel Genao, Austin Hedges, and Brayan Rocchio hitting seventh through ninth may look like the soft underbelly of this lineup on paper, but Griffin's chances of going deep into the game improve significantly if those spots can grind out at-bats and chip in on base against Lynch IV.

Jo Adell's Power Potential

Adell hitting cleanup gives Cleveland a genuine power threat in the heart of the order. If Lynch IV leaves anything over the middle of the plate, Adell has the bat speed to make him pay at Progressive Field.

Prediction

This is a competitive AL Central game between two clubs that know each other well. The edge goes to Cleveland at home. Griffin needs to be sharp, the lineup needs to make Lynch IV work deep into counts, and Ramírez needs to be Ramírez. Guardians 4, Royals 2.