Kansas City @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2012 ) Cleveland 15, Kansas City 4

The Cleveland Indians have been the American League’s worst team since the All-Star break, which led to the firing of manager Manny Acta on Thursday. Sandy Alomar Jr. was named the interim manager as the Indians start a three-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Friday. Cleveland is just 21-50 in the second half and is tied with Minnesota for the worst record in the American League.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley could return from a sore groin, but shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera left the game on Wednesday with a back strain and is doubtful. The Royals have defeated the Indians in nine of the last 11 after dropping the first four in 2012. Kansas City has lost five straight overall, but Billy Butler continues climb up the RBI list (104) and Alex Gordon is three away from equaling Hal McRae’s single-season club record of 54 doubles in 1977.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSKC (Kansas City), STO (Cleveland).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Will Smith (6-8, 4.88) vs. Indians LH David Huff (2-0, 2.25).

Smith has not allowed more than four earned runs in his last 12 outings. He defeated the Indians for the second time in his rookie season last Saturday, giving up eight hits and two runs over seven innings. In the two victories over Cleveland, he has allowed 12 hits and four runs over 13 innings.

Huff has pitched fairly well in his first four outings since being recalled. The left-hander defeated the Royals last Sunday by allowing one run on three hits over 5 2/3 innings. Huff is 3-2 lifetime against Kansas City with a 4.91 ERA in 29 1/3 innings. Huff won 11 games in 2009 for the Indians and just six combined the last three seasons.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City’s Jeff Francoeur leads the American League in outfield assists (19) and Gordon is second with 16 after recording two on Thursday.

2. The Indians have won two straight and three of four. They haven't won three in a row since July 3-5.

3. Recent call-up Russ Canzler is 8-for-16 with a pair of homers and four RBIs in his last four games for the Indians.