Cleveland @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2012 ) Cleveland 3, Kansas City 5
The Kansas City Royals will attempt to complete a sweep and continue their domination of the Cleveland Indians as the American League Central rivals conclude their three-game series at Kauffman Stadium on Sunday. Kansas City posted a 5-3 victory on Saturday to extend its winning streak against Cleveland to seven games. It is the Royals' longest run versus the Indians since capturing nine in a row during the 1973 season.
Billy Butler collected three hits and an RBI, becoming the first Royal to reach the 100-RBI mark since Carlos Beltran drove in 100 runs in 2003. The Royals, who have won four straight overall, improved to 5-3 on their nine-game homestand. Cleveland has lost 11 of its last 14 overall contests and nine of its last 10 meetings with Kansas City. The Indians also have dropped 20 of their last 22 series, with both victories coming against Detroit.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH David Huff (1-0, 2.61 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jake Odorizzi (0-0, -.--)
Huff will be making his second start and fourth appearance of the season. The 28-year-old lasted only 4 1/3 innings against Minnesota on Tuesday, surrendering three runs and seven hits in a no-decision. Huff is 2-2 with a 5.70 ERA in four career starts versus Kansas City.
After a strong showing in Triple-A, Odorizzi makes his major-league debut Sunday. The 22-year-old went 11-3 with a 2.93 ERA in 19 games with Omaha after posting a 4-2 record over seven starts with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. Odorizzi was acquired from Milwaukee in the December 2010 trade that sent Zack Greinke to the Brewers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas enters the series finale with a 44-game errorless streak.
2. Cleveland RHP Ubaldo Jimenez suffered his 17th loss Saturday while Royals RF Jeff Francoeur recorded his 19th outfield assist. Both lead the major leagues in the respective categories.
3. Kansas City's Eric Hosmer registered his 16th stolen base, tying the franchise record for a first baseman set in 1997 by Jeff King.