Kansas City aims for its first three-game sweep of slumping Cleveland in six seasons Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium.
The Royals (43-60) continue to make things difficult on the Indians (50-54), outscoring them 44-22 while winning six of the last seven meetings. Luis Mendoza threw 7 1-3 strong innings before Greg Holland - in his first chance since replacing recently traded Jonathan Broxton - earned the save in Wednesday's 5-2 victory.
Kansas City hasn't completed a three-game sweep of Cleveland since May 8-10, 2006.
The Indians, meanwhile, have dropped 10 of 13 - including a season worst-tying five in a row by a 41-11 margin. Batting .165 during its skid, Cleveland hasn't lost six straight since a seven-game slide June 19-26, 2010.
With its recent poor play, third-place Cleveland appears to be in danger of falling out of postseason contention. The Indians sit seven games behind AL Central-leading Chicago and in the bottom half of the wild-card standings.
While most teams would surely be looking forward to facing Bruce Chen (7-9, 5.49 ERA), he's recently given Cleveland fits. The left-hander has gone 5-1 with a 3.50 ERA over seven starts against the Indians since 2010, shutting down several of their hitters.
Jose Lopez is 2 for 18 lifetime against Chen while Shin-Soo Choo is 3 for 16 with six strikeouts. Jack Hannahan and Casey Kotchman are a combined 1 for 12.
Chen allowed three runs, seven hits and two walks over five innings in a 6-3 victory at Cleveland on May 30. The Indians are hitting .219 - the second-worst mark in baseball - against left-handed pitchers this season.
Chen has to be glad to have seen July come and go after he went 0-3 with an 8.31 ERA in six starts last month. He yielded three runs and seven hits over six innings Saturday but didn't factor in the decision of a 4-3 loss at Seattle.
Chen had won four consecutive home starts May 9-June 26 before allowing 10 runs and five homers in 10 innings over his last two, going without a decision in both.
It's unknown if Chen will have to face Travis Hafner, who didn't play Wednesday after being placed on the paternity list. Hafner is 4 for 30 (.133) in his last nine games against Kansas City.
The Indians will give right-hander Corey Kluber his first big league start after designating veteran Derek Lowe for assignment on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Kluber, who compiled an 8.31 ERA in three relief appearances last September, went 11-7 with a 3.59 ERA in 21 starts for Triple-A Columbus, striking out 128 over 125 1-3 innings.
Indians are 1-4 in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Indians are 1-4 in their last 5 games as an underdog of +110 to +150.
Indians are 3-14 in their last 17 games after losing the first 2 games of a series.
Indians are 0-5 in their last 5 road games vs. a left-handed starter.
Indians are 0-6 in their last 6 road games.
Indians are 0-5 in their last 5 vs. American League Central.
Indians are 0-6 in their last 6 games vs. a left-handed starter.
Indians are 0-4 in their last 4 games following a loss.
Indians are 0-4 in their last 4 games as a road underdog.
Indians are 0-6 in their last 6 games with the total set at 9.0-10.5.
Indians are 0-5 in their last 5 overall.
Royals are 4-0 in Chens last 4 starts as a home favorite.
Royals are 4-0 in Chens last 4 home starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Royals are 5-0 in Chens last 5 starts as a favorite.
Royals are 4-0 in Chens last 4 starts as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
Royals are 4-0 in Chens last 4 starts as a favorite of -110 to -150.
Royals are 6-1 in Chens last 7 starts after scoring 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Royals are 5-1 in Chens last 6 home starts.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Over is 21-6-2 in the last 29 meetings in Kansas City.
Royals are 5-2 in Chens last 7 starts vs. Indians.
Indians are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Kansas City.
Indians are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings.
While i do believe that Bruce Chen needs to get his act together i do have faith in the guy. He is a good pitcher and the numbers he's put up lately will not hold. I expect him to do well tonight and i expect KC to get the sweep over the Indians. Corey Kluber has done what lately? Nothing...and i don't expect him to do anything tonight either. It appears the Indians have given up hope already and are throwing in the towel. I mean if this is all they can send to the mound, what do they expect. I know what i expect - for them to lose again. Tonight we take the Royals. Consider a small wager on the RL too at +155. There's plenty of value there. Good Luck
KAN ROYALS -125
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