Cleveland @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2011 ) Cleveland 1, Kansas City 5
THE STORY: The Cleveland Indians are losing both ground and time in the American League Central race. Following Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, Cleveland trails the Detroit Tigers by 6 1/2 games. On Sunday, the Indians will finish their three-game series with the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera could return to the Indians' lineup. He missed Saturday's contest after fouling a ball off his knee Friday. Cleveland is 11-6 against Kansas City heading into in the final matchup of the season between the teams.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET. STO (Cleveland), FSKC (Kansas City).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Jeanmar Gomez (1-2, 4.55 ERA) vs. Royals LH Jeff Francis (5-14, 4.64 ERA).
Gomez has spent most of the season in the minors, but it's likely he will be in the rotation the rest of the season since Josh Tomlin is out with a sore elbow. Gomez held the Oakland Athletics to one unearned run in six innings in his last start for his first win of the campaign. He's 1-2 in four career starts against the Royals. Gomez lost at Kauffman Stadium in April, allowing five earned runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Francis has split two decisions against the Indians this season with much different results. He allowed five earned runs and 10 hits in three innings in April at Kauffman Stadium before dominating Cleveland at Progressive Field in July with eight scoreless innings. Francis held Detroit to two hits in six shutout innings in his last start, but received a no-decision when the bullpen couldn't hold the lead,
ABOUT THE INDIANS (69-67): The acquisition of Kosuke Fukudome drew yawns from Cleveland fans, but the outfielder has been a key addition. He's batting .370 in his last 12 games and has provided a spark whether he's hit at the top of the lineup or in the middle of the order. Fukudome is also hitting .311 against left-handed pitching. He has driven in 13 runs in 34 games with the Indians. Fukudome had 13 RBIs in 87 games with the Cubs.
ABOUT THE ROYALS (58-82): It's time for opponents to start paying attention to the scouting reports. After all, running on Kansas City's outfield is not a good idea. The Royals lead the majors with 45 assists, including 20 by left fielder Alex Gordon, who leads all of baseball and has also set a club record. Center fielder Melky Cabrera and right fielder Jeff Francoeur have 12 apiece. The Royals have thrown out 23 runners at the plate, which also leads the majors.
FINAL PITCH: In what might be their last chance to make a run in the division, the Indians begin a three-game series against the Tigers at Progressive Field on Monday.