KC Royals Series Preview: Indians (9-15) at Royals (16-9)

Your KC Royals opened this home stand winning their first two games against Detroit before losing Saturday and Sunday to the Tigers. Next up are the Cleveland Indians who KC just took two of three at Progressive Field last week.

Apr 21, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jason Vargas (51) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Like last weeks’ match-up the Tribe will be throwing three of their best pitchers against our boys in blue to close this seven game home stand.

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
Tuesday, 7:10 pm – Danny Salazar/RHP (3-0, 3.32) v. Jason Vargas/LHP (2-1, 5.95)
Wednesday, 7:10 pm – Carlos Carrasco/RHP (3-2, 4.98) v. Danny Duffy/LHP (2-0, 3.45)
Thursday, 1:10 pm – Corey Kluber/RHP (0-4, 4.62) v. Edinson Volquez/RHP (2-3, 2.10)

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – This time around, the pitching match-ups seem to align better for Kansas City than they did when these teams squared off last week.
Game 1: Salazar bested Yordano Ventura who’s still serving his suspension this series for his role in Chicago. Vargas gets the ball, he was the pitcher of record in KC’s 6-2 win on April 27.
Game 2: Carrasco didn’t pitch against the Royals but he’s regarded as one of their best despite his 3-2 record and sub-five ERA. Duffy will look to build off his solid start last time out against Detroit.
Game 3: Kluber gets another opportunity to best KC after losing last week as mentioned. Volquez pitched well against David Price, however he was a tough luck loser despite pitching well.

Series Predictions – Mentioned prior to these twos last meeting that Cleveland is better than their record indicates. Kansas City has yet to lose three straight games this season as they enter losing back-to-back. I give the Tribe a slight edge in who they’ll start these three games; however, Greg Holland will return this series to bolster baseball’s best bullpen. Prediction: Indians win two of three.

2014 Meetings:
The Royals took two of three at Cleveland winning 6-2 and 11-5 before dropping the finale 7-5. Vargas and Brandon Finnegan earned wins while Salazar earned the Indians lone win.

Franchise History:
All-time the Tribe hold an advantage of 324-308, however in crown town it’s KC holding a record of 164-148 which includes a 5-4 mark in 2014.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast all three games with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler on the call. FSKC will televise the ring and raising of the 2014 AL Champions banner during Royals Live which is hosted by Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery from left field.

The Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in Kansas City) has Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart describing all the action from the K.

2014 Series Schedule/Results v. Indians (KC 2-1)
April 27-29: Progressive Field – W 6-2, W 11-5, L 7-5
May 5-7: Kauffman Stadium
June 2-4: Kauffman Stadium
July 27-29: Progressive Field
September 14-17: Progressive Field
September 25-27: Kauffman Stadium

Game Notes:
Cleveland Indians
Kansas City Royals

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