Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2013 ) Cleveland 1, Kansas City 7

With the postseason chase intensifying, the Kansas City Royals are forced to turn to a minor leaguer to start the second of three crucial home games against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. Yordano Ventura, the organization's top pitching prospect, will take the mound for Kansas City in place of the injured Danny Duffy as the Royals hope to pull a bit closer in the tight American League wild-card race. After taking the series opener Monday, Kansas City is within 2 1/2 games of Texas for the second wild-card berth.

Cleveland remained one-half game out of the spot with its third straight loss to the Royals. It managed only a solo homer by Lonnie Chisenhall in the 7-1 setback after outscoring the Chicago White Sox by a 32-6 margin during a four-game sweep. The six-run loss represented the largest for the Indians since Aug. 8.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), FSN (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (9-5, 3.55 ERA) vs. Royals RH Yordano Ventura (NR)

Kluber won his first two starts since returning from a finger injury earlier this month, giving up two runs over five innings in both outings. He is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in three starts versus Kansas City in 2013 but gave up four runs in 5 1/3 innings in his last visit to Kauffman Stadium. The Stetson University product is looking to become Cleveland's third 10-game winner.

Ventura, a native of the Dominican Republic, was 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 26 combined games (25 starts) at Double-A and Triple-A this season. He went 0-1 with a 5.51 ERA in his final three outings at Triple-A Omaha. The 22-year-old lasted six innings just three times in 15 starts at the top level of the minors.

WALK-OFFS

1. Following this series, Cleveland plays its final 10 games against the three worst teams in the AL - Houston, Minnesota and the Chicago White Sox.

2. Royals C Salvador Perez is 19-for-47 with six extra-base hits in September.

3. Indians RHP Danny Salazar opposes Royals LHP Bruce Chen in the finale Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Royals 4