Cleveland @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 28, 2011 ) Kansas City 2, Cleveland 1
THE STORY: The Cleveland Indians wasted a chance to gain ground on the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central race on Thursday. While the Indians were blitzed 7-0 by the Oakland Athletics, the Tigers dropped an 11-8 decision to the Kansas City Royals. Cleveland remains 5 1/2 games behind Detroit heading into the opener of a three-game series Friday night at Kauffman Stadium. The Indians are 10-5 against the Royals this season.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, STO/WKYC (Cleveland), FSKC (Kansas City).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Justin Masterson (10-8, 2.83 ERA) vs. Royals LH Bruce Chen (10-5, 3.94 ERA)
Masterson's loss to Kansas City on Sunday sums up his season. He allowed two runs in six innings, but was saddled with the loss because of a lack of offense. The Indians have scored two runs or less 11 times in Masterson's 28 starts. Masterson is 2-1 in three starts this season and 3-3 in 14 career games - nine starts - against the Royals. Melky Cabrera is batting .588 (10-for-17) lifetime against Masterson.
If it seems like all Chen has to do is toss his glove on the field to defeat the Indians, there's a good reason. It's essentially true. Chen is 5-0 with a 2.38 ERA in his last six starts against Cleveland. He shook off a shaky beginning Sunday to beat the Indians at Progressive Field. Chen walked in a run with the bases loaded and no outs in the first, but didn't allow another run in 7 1/3 innings.
ABOUT THE INDIANS (68-66): After carrying the Indians for five months, Asdrubal Cabrera might finally be running out of steam. He had one hit in 16 at-bats in the Oakland series and is mired in an 8-for-53 skid. Cabrera has missed only two games all season and the wear is starting to show. However, manager Manny Acta can't afford to give his shortstop a day off since five regulars are on the disabled list. The timing of Cabrera's slump couldn't have come at a worse moment for the Indians. Shin-Soo Choo is the latest player to go on the disabled with a pulled oblique muscle.
ABOUT THE ROYALS (57-81): Memo to upcoming opponents: The Royals are no longer pushovers. Kansas City is coming off a 3-4 trip to Cleveland and Detroit, but was in a position to win every game. The Royals saw late leads get away in all four losses thanks to their unreliable bullpen, but the team is making progress in all other areas. Rookies Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer bring hitting streaks of 15 games and 10 games, respectively, into the series. The Royals could play their way out of last place in the division.
FINAL PITCH: Kansas City rookie catcher Salvador Perez didn't play Thursday because of a sprained finger on his right hand. Manager Ned Yost doesn't think the injury is serious and that Perez should be back in the lineup in the next day or two.