Kansas City @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 29, 2011 ) Kansas City 12, Cleveland 0

THE STORY: Billy Butler had an eventful night Friday. Sure, he homered twice and has gone deep five times in his last four games, but Butler was nearly beaned by Carlos Carrasco during the fourth inning. After Melky Cabrera blasted a grand slam, Carrasco showed his frustration by throwing his next pitch at the head of Butler. Both dugouts emptied and the game between the American League Central rivals got testy in a hurry. Friday's result was never in doubt as Kansas City cruised to its seventh win in 10 games with a 12-0 triumph. The Royals will look to keep the reeling Indians down when they play the second of their three-game series Saturday.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Felipe Paulino (1-8, 4.54 ERA) vs. Indians RH Justin Masterson (8-7, 2.57).

Paulino has yielded four runs and seven hits in two successive starts - both losses. The 27-year-old Dominican has dropped four of his last five starts and hasn't fared much better in Kansas City than when he began the season with the Colorado Rockies. Although his win-loss record leaves quite a bit to be desired, Paulino has recorded 38 strikeouts in his last five contests. Masterson allowed four runs on as many hits in seven innings against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday to pick up the loss in his last outing. The 26-year-old Masterson has won three of five career decisions against the Royals - including a pair of outings in April this season. Since defeating Kansas City on April 26, Masterson is 3-7.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (45-61): Despite amassing a paltry 17-32 mark away from home, Kansas City is 3-2 on its current seven-game road trip. While Cabrera had a grand ol' time Friday, one couldn't blame him if he's licking his chops for Saturday's contest. He is 6-for-11 in his career against Masterson. Alex Gordon homered and drove in three runs Friday. He has also fared well against Masterson, going 5-for-13 with three doubles. Rookie Eric Hosmer didn't waste any time extending his hitting streak to 10 games Friday - he doubled in his first at-bat.

ABOUT THE INDIANS (52-51): Cleveland has mustered only 13 runs en route to dropping seven of its last eight games. Orlando Cabrera collected two of his team's five hits Friday, but he is only 1-for-7 in his career against Paulino. Kosuke Fukudome made his Indians' debut Friday and went 0-for-4. Righthander Alex White is expected to begin a rehab assignment Saturday. White, who is nursing a strained finger ligament, will be shuffled into the bullpen when he returns from the disabled list.

FINAL PITCH: "That's not professional. I understand the game. You don't go above the shoulders. I knew there was the possibility that I would get hit, but that's too high. You're never supposed to throw at somebody's head." - Butler, on his at-bat against Carrasco in the fourth.