Cleveland @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 21, 2012 ) Cleveland 3, Kansas City 6
The Kansas City Royals try to extend their winning streak against the Cleveland Indians to seven games when the American League Central rivals continue their three-game series at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday. Kansas City posted a 6-3 triumph in the opener as Brayan Pena and Mike Moustakas each drove in a pair of runs. The Royals have won six straight against the Indians for the first time since 1978.
Cleveland, which has lost eight of its last nine meetings with Kansas City, has dropped 10 of its last 13 games overall and 41 of 54. With a victory on Saturday, the Indians can officially end the Royals' chances to win the AL Central crown as Kansas City's magic number for elimination is one.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (9-16, 5.43 ERA) vs. Royals LH Will Smith (5-8, 5.08)
Jimenez remained winless since Aug. 9 as he settled for a no-decision against Detroit on Sunday after allowing three runs - two earned - and five hits in six innings. The 28-year-old Dominican has lost five straight decisions and is 1-9 over his last 13 starts. Jimenez fell to 2-1 in three career outings against Kansas City on April 25, when he yielded four runs over six frames.
Smith suffered his fourth loss in five starts Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels as he gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings. The setback dropped the 23-year-old to 1-5 with a 6.23 ERA in six home outings. Smith won his only career outing versus the Indians in Cleveland on May 29, when he allowed two runs and four hits over six frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland DH Travis Hafner is 0-for-6 in two games following a lengthy stint on the disabled list with lower back inflammation.
2. Royals C Salvador Perez sat out the series opener with sore hands while OF Alex Gordon was kept out of the starting lineup with a hand injury. Gordon entered the game as a defensive replacement.
3. Kansas City 3B Moustakas enters Saturday with a 43-game errorless streak.