Series Preview: Indians vs. Royals

Much thanks to Steve who filled in while I was traveling back to the 3-3-0. AND since I was back in Ohio, I found that the Tribe was blacked out on my MLB TV…. I don’t even get STO back home thanks to stupid comcast!! Luckily it doesn’t appear that I missed much. The Tribe is mirred in a three game losing streak. As a matter of fact, the last time they won was against these Royals. Cleveland still sits atop the AL Central with a game and a half lead on Kansas City but that could all be changed come Thursday.

April 26-28, 2011

Progressive Field

Scouting Report

• Kansas City – The Royals come into this series much like the Indians, hoping to bounce back from a weekend sweep. The last time these two teams met up Luke Hochevar (2-2, 5.12) retired the first 15 Cleveland batters but ended up allowing a season-high six runs in six-plus innings, losing for the first time since opening day.He’s moving up in the rotation to take Sean O’Sullivan’s usual spot, a decision manager Ned Yost made to give his top four starters more innings. The Royals fell 8-7 to the Rangers on Sunday despite Mike Aviles’  first career multihomer game. His four RBIs tied a career high.Jeff Francoeur hit his team-leading fourth home run to extend his hitting streak to 14 games, and Alex Gordon’s double in the eighth ran his hitting streak to 18.Aviles, Francoeur and Gordon are a combined 11 for 27 (.423) against Masterson, who will take the hill for the Tribe on Tuesday night.
• Cleveland – The Indians look to come into this series and ride Justin Masterson to his fifth consecutive victory in as many starts. The Indians have dropped three in a row for the first time this season following a 4-3 defeat to the Twins on Sunday. However, they enter Tuesday looking to win an eighth straight home game for the first time since April 29-May 18, 2007. Shin-Soo Choo threw out two runners at the plate in the third inning Sunday but continues to struggle at the plate, batting .207 after leading Cleveland with a .300 average last year. However, his only extra-base hit in the past seven games was a double off Hochevar, and Choo is 12 for 20 with three homers lifetime against him

Pitching Match-ups

Game 1 – Luke Hochevar vs. Justin Masterson

• Luke Hochevar  2-2, 5.12 ERA

Hochevar’s last start also was against the Indians and it was an exercise in contrasts. He threw five perfect innings, then gave up six runs in the sixth and seventh to take the loss. Until the meltdown, he’d retired 31 straight batters.

• Justin Masterson  4-0, 1.71 ERA

Masterson continued his early-season tear on Wednesday, limiting the Royals to two runs over six solid innings. The righty finished with five walks, but exercised solid damage control. Masterson struck out three in the 103-pitch effort.

Game 2- Jeff Francis vs. Josh Tomlin

• Jeff Francis  0-2, 4.06 ERA

Francis had his worst and shortest outing last Friday at Texas, giving up six runs (five earned) in four-plus innings. The two homers matched the previous total in four games. Francis has shown good control so far, walking just four in 31 innings.

• Josh Tomlin  3-0, 2.33 ERA

Cleveland’s other undefeated starter, Tomlin went 7 1/3 innings allowing just one run on five hits with four walks Thursday at Kansas City, but came away with his first no decision of the season as the Royals rallied late for the 3-2 victory after Chris Perez blew his first save of the season.

Game 3- Kyle Davies vs. Fausto Carmona

• Kyle Davies  1-2, 6.23 ERA

In his last outing at Texas, Davies used up 79 pitches in the first three innings and gave up three runs and threw just 33 in the next three innings and retired all nine batters. Davies has great stuff and when his command is on, he’s very tough.

• Fausto Carmona  1-3, 5.76 ERA

The Indians ace got hit hard Saturday by the Twins, giving up six runs on seven hits and four walks over five innings. The last time he was tagged that good he bounced back and went seven scoreless while striking out four and allowing two hits in a no-decision that ended up being a 1-0 win for the Indians

Probable Lineups

Kansas City

1. 3B Mile Aviles

2. CF Melky Cabrera

3. LF Alex Gordon

4. DH Billy Butler

5. RF Jeff Francoeur

6. 1B Kila Ka’aihue

7.  SS Alcides Escobar

8.    C Matt Treanor

9. 2B Chris Getz

Cleveland

1. CF Grady Sizemore

2. SS Asdrubal Cabrera

3. RF Shin-Soo Choo

4.    C Carlos Santana

5. DH Travis Hafner

6. 2B Orlando Cabrera

7. LF Michael Brantley

8. 1B Matt LaPorta

9. 3B Jack Hannahan

Unleash the Chaos

Go Tribe.