KC Royals Series Preview: Long Roadtrip Beings in Cleveland

Your 30-22 KC Royals head out to Cleveland, Baltimore and Chicago the next 10 days after completing a 6-0 home stand against the White Sox and Rays. This is all incredible given that Alex Gordon, Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez are all currently not playing.

While we’ve seen it in other organizations, it’s truly been a next man up situation where Whit Merrifield and Drew Butera have helped the team continue to chug on.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups
Thursday, 6:10 pm – Yordano Ventura/RHP (4-3, 5.17) v. Carlos Carrasco/RHP (2-0, 2.45)
Friday, 6:10 pm – Edinson Volquez/RHP (5-4, 3.74) v. Danny Salazar/RHP (5-3, 2.39)
Saturday, 6:15 pm – Ian Kennedy/RHP (4-3, 3.03) v. Josh Tomlin/RHP (7-1, 3.79)
Sunday, 12:10 pm – Chris Young/RHP (2-5, 5.94) v. Corey Kluber/RHP (4-6, 4.15)

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – In a match-up of two teams separated by two and a half games it’ll be contested with some solid pitching match-ups. The Tribe are throwing their top four pitchers this series which test the Royals offense. It’ll also be important the four starters continue to hold down Cleveland inconsistent offense.

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Game 1: Ventura last started on Saturday and was why that seven run comeback was necessary against Chicago. Carrasco doesn’t have the W/L record that matches his low ERA, he’s been nails so far against all opposition.

Game 2: Volquez had a rough May, where he was walking more people than he did in April and his record/earned runs average reflect this. Salazar make KC look silly on May 6th cruising in the Tribe’s 7-1 victory.

Game 3: Kennedy struggled and logged a high pitch count in his last start, however in his start on May 7th he handcuffed the Indians. Tomlin suffered his first defeat last time out, but is 1-0 versus the defending champions as he got the decision on May 8th.

Game 4: Young makes his first start in some time but in relief this last week has shown that form that fans remember from last season, he replaces Dillon Gee. Kluber will have the worst record/ERA of the four starters Kansas City will see.

Series Outlook – On paper Cleveland looks like they’ll do well versus our boys in blue given how these pitching match-ups look. That said, can how the offense is swinging the bats bring it to Progressive Field? Mike Napoli seemed to get big hit after big hit when these teams squared off last month. Carlos Santana/Jason Kipnis/Yan Gomes continue to produce and are the focal points of the offense along with Napoli. Alcides Escobar is at 999 career hits and figures to get the milestone this weekend. Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer led the offense this past home stand but could Kendrys Morales finally be heating up?

Prediction – Series split 2-2

2016 Meetings
Indians won two of three in the first series between these clubs in May, winning 7-1 and 5-4 with a 7-0 in between. Cody Allen had one appearance which was saving game three, hopefully he won’t be needed this weekend.

Franchise History
All-time Cleveland is 334-317 versus Kansas City which includes a mark of 181-149 on the shores of Lake Erie and are 107-76 at the house formally known as Jacobs Field

TV/Radio Coverage
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast Thursday, Friday and Sunday games from Cleveland with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler. Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery host Royals Live before and after the games. FOX will have national coverage on Sunday night from Progressive Field

On the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in KC) will be Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart.

Series Resulta/Schedule v. Indians (CLE 2-1)
May 6-8/Progressive Field: L 7-1, W 7-0, L 5-4
June 2-5/Progressive Field:
June 13-15/Kauffman Stadium:
July 18-20/Kauffman Stadium:
September 20-22/Progressive Field:
September 30-October 2/Kauffman Stadium:

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Game Notes:
Cleveland Indians
Kansas City Royals