KANSAS CITY — This is a preview of the three-game season-opening series between the Guardians and Royals.

Where: Kauffman Stadium, Thursday through Sunday.

TV/radio: CleGuardians.TV and WTAM/1100 will carry the series.

Probable pitching matchups and starting times: (2024 records included): RHP Tanner Bibee (12-8, 3.47) vs. LHP Cole Ragans (11-9, 3.14) Thurday at 4:10 p.m. EDT.; RHP Gavin Williams (3-10, 5.64) vs. RHP Seth Lugo (16-9, 3.10) Saturday at 4:10 p.m. EDT and RHP Luis Ortiz (7-6, 3.32) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (13-8, 3.35) Sunday at 2:10 p.m. EDT.

Series series: The Guardians went 5-8 against the Royals last year. The Guardians lead, 425-373, overall.

Guardians update: Bibee, making his first opening day start, was 2-0 in four starts against the Royals last year. Williams went 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts. Jose Ramirez hit .308 (16 for 52) with three homers and nine RBI against KC last year. This is the third time since 2020 that Cleveland and Kansas City have opened the season against each other.

Royals updated: Ragans went 0-1 in two starts against the Guardians last year. Lugo was 2-0 and Wacha 0-1. Bobby Witt Jr. hit .347 (17 for 49) with four homers and seven RBI, while Salvador Perez hit .306 (15 for 49) with four homers and 11 RBI against the Guardians in 2024.

Injuries:

Guardians: RHP Shane Bieber (right elbow), RHP Trevor Stephen (right elbow), LHP James Means (left elbow), UT David Fry (right elbow), RHP Slade Cecconi (left oblique), LHP Sam Hentges (left shoulder) and LHP Erik Sabrowski (left elbow) will open the season on the injured list.

Royals: RHP Alex Marsh (right shoulder), RHP Kyle Wright (right hamstring) and RHP James McArthur (right elbow) will open the season on the injured list. 1B Vinnie Pasquantino (right hamstring) is day to day.

Next: Guardians open a three-game series against the Padres at Petco Park on Monday.