KC Royals Series Preview: Central Leading Tribe Come to the K

The KC Royals return to Kauffman Stadium after a largely disastrous 2-8 road trip through Cleveland, Baltimore and Chicago. Bright spots on the just completed trip were back-to-back outings by Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura.

Awaiting the boys in blue are one of the hottest teams in the division/league. The Tribe started the free fall for the KC Royals who left with the division lead only to comeback three games behind.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups
Monday, 7:10 pm – Carlos Carrasco/RHP (2-1, 3.48) v. Edinson Volquez/RHP (5-6, 4.25)
Tuesday, 7:15 pm – Josh Tomlin/RHP (8-1, 3.48) v. Chris Young/RHP (2-6, 6.37)
Wednesday, 7:15 pm – Corey Kluber/RHP (6-6, 3.65) v. Ian Kennedy/RHP (4-5, 4.05)

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – On paper Cleveland will be starting the stronger trio of pitchers given their record/ERA and how they’ve done recently. For the Tribe it’s the second straight series they’ve had their rotation set up how they’d want it against the Kansas City Royals.

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Game 1: Carrasco was cruising for the loss until the KC Royals defense/bullpen struggled to protect a 4-2 lead in that opening game. Volquez is 0-2 against this division foe this season, the Indians really have had his number winning 5-4 and 6-1 this season.

Game 2: Tomlin has defeated the Kansas City Royals twice this season in two different fashions, one in which he wasn’t his sharpest then dominated the other. Young pitched in the series finale where he got lit up by Cleveland in a 7-0 route.

Game 3: Kluber opposed Young in the just mentioned finale and was on top of his game not giving the KC Royals a chance. Kennedy looked unhittable in the teams first series at Progessive Field then extremely hittable next time around which the Tribe won 7-1.

Series Outlook – This is the first series between these teams that’ll take place at the K, why do I mention this? The boys in blue are 19-7 at home compared to 13-23 away from the city of fountains. Cleveland has looked impressive during their 7-3 run which includes three of the four wins over KC.

Mike Napoli seemed like he always got a big hit off KC Royals pitching, however the real pain has been Francisco Lindor who has worn out Kansas City in the seven games this season and even going back to a season ago. While hitting just .286 in his last four games, has Kendrys Morales started to regain last years form? Given other injuries and needing protection for Eric Hosmer/Lorenzo Cain it be extremely helpful.

Prediction – Indians win two of three

2016 Meetings
They’ve met seven times already but oddly both series took place at the stadium formally known as Jacobs Field. Cleveland swept through our Kansas City Royals outscoring them 25-6 during the four games played.

Franchise History
All-time the Indians are 338-317 versus our KC Royals, however in games played in Kansas City the numbers are 168-153 for the World Champions.

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 KC 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 6-1)
May 6-8/Progressive Field: L 7-1, W 7-0, L 5-4
June 2-5/Progressive Field: L 5-4, L 6-1, L 7-1, L 7-0
June 13-15/Kauffman Stadium:
July 18-20/Kauffman Stadium:
September 20-22/Progressive Field:
September 30-October 2/Kauffman Stadium:

Next: Could No. 1 Role Cause Yordano Ventura To Fail?

Game Notes:
Cleveland Indians
Kansas City Royals