Kansas City @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2013 ) Kansas City 6, Cleveland 3

The Kansas City Royals have a chance to climb into the middle of both the American League Central and wild-card races in the next eight days. That quest begins with ace James Shields on the mound Wednesday for the rubber match of the critical three-game series at the Cleveland Indians. The Royals are three games behind Tampa Bay for the second AL wild-card spot and seven back in the AL Central with a three-game series looming at first-place Detroit over the weekend.

Cleveland stands 1 ½ games ahead of the Royals and travels to Kansas City for another three-game set next week. The Indians had 12 hits, but bounced into three big double plays in the 6-3 loss to the Royals on Tuesday. Carlos Santana is 6-for-16 with four RBIs in the last five games for Cleveland, which is 9-6 against Kansas City in 2013 – including 6-2 at home.

TV: 12:05 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH James Shields (10-9, 3.43 ERA) vs. Indians LH Scott Kazmir (8-7, 4.17)

Shields has never fared well against Cleveland, going 1-5 with a 4.20 ERA in 12 career starts – including 0-0 with a 4.96 ERA in three 2013 outings. The right-hander gave up 10 runs in 3 2/3 innings in his last appearance against Detroit after yielding seven runs (six earned) combined in the previous five while going 4-0. Jason Kubel is 9-of-20 with a homer against Shields, who needs to retire one batter for his seventh straight 200-inning season.

Kazmir struck out a season-high 12 in six scoreless innings to beat the New York Mets in his last start after going 0-3 in his previous four outings. The left-hander is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts against Kansas City this season and 4-3 in 13 career outings versus the Royals with a 4.91 ERA. Jamey Carroll is 7-of-12 against Kazmir, who is 6-1 at home and 4-1 in day games.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City RHP Luke Hochevar has struck out 29 batters in his last 18 2/3 innings of work over 14 outings.

2. Cleveland C Yan Gomes is 12-for-31 during his career-high, nine-game hitting streak.

3. Chris Getz stole two bases in Tuesday’s victory for the Royals, who lead the majors with 136.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, Indians 2