Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 2, 2012 ) Cleveland 6, Kansas City 7

Billy Butler is one RBI away from accomplishing something no Kansas City player has done in nine years as the Royals host the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a three-game series. Butler drove in his 99th run of the campaign in Thursday’s victory over the Chicago White Sox and the All-Star appears to be a shoo-in to record the franchise’s first 100-RBI season since Carlos Beltran drove in exactly 100 in 2003.

The Royals are 13 games below .500 but went 12-6 against the first-place White Sox in the American League Central. Now they face a Cleveland squad that is 13-40 over its last 53 games. The Indians are 26 games below .500 and were 49-48 before their long freefall. Cleveland defeated Minnesota 4-3 in 10 innings Thursday for its second walkoff victory in a four-game span. Kansas City is 7-5 against the Indians this season with six contests remaining.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), Fox Sports Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Justin Masterson (11-14, 4.93 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luis Mendoza (7-9, 4.50)

Masterson has lost two straight decisions and four of his last six. He has given up six or more runs in three of his last four losses, the exception being when he allowed four runs (two earned) and six hits in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Detroit Tigers last Saturday. Masterson was roughed up for eight runs (seven earned) and nine hits while losing to Kansas City on May 29. He is 4-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 16 career appearances (11 starts) against the Royals.

Mendoza hasn’t won since August 17 and has received four straight no-decisions since losing to the Tampa Bay on August 22. He gave up just one run and two hits in six innings against the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 13 and is going eight days between starts due to a bout with strep throat. Mendoza is 2-1 with a 4.95 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Cleveland with all the outings occurring this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians 1B Casey Kotchman had the game-winning hit in Thursday’s victory while banging out three hits for the fourth time all season. He is 4-for-9 against Mendoza.

2. Royals OF Alex Gordon is batting .407 with a homer in 27 career at-bats against Masterson.

3. Cleveland SS Asdrubal Cabrera (wrist) missed Thursday’s game and is questionable for the opener.