Indians at Royals (2nd)
Sunny skies are in the forecast for Sunday in Kansas City, where the
Royals and Cleveland Indians will play a day-night doubleheader after
Friday’s scheduled series opener was rained out. The Royals are hoping
for a run of good weather after enduring three postponements and two
off-days since April 18. Kansas City opened the series on Saturday with a
3-2 win behind another strong outing by Ervin Santana.
The
Royals have won four of five and lead the American League Central by one
game over Detroit. Like Kansas City, the Indians are eager to play
after having two games rained out over the past week. Cleveland center
fielder Michael Bourn is eligible to come off the disabled list on
Tuesday, but he may need a few extra days. Michael Brantley has been
batting leadoff in place of Bourn, who had the stitches removed from his
injured right index finger on Thursday.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (1-0, 1.80 ERA) vs. Royals LH Will Smith (NR)
Kluber is set to make his first start of the season after his first two scheduled starts were rained out. The 27-year-old right-hander will be pitching on seven days rest, appearing for the first time since last Saturday when he threw four scoreless innings of relief in a 19-6 win over the Astros. Kluber has faced the Royals once before on Aug. 2, 2012, when he allowed six runs over 4 1/3 innings. Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer each greeted Kluber with first-inning homers.
Smith is making his season debut after being recalled from Triple-A Omaha, where he was 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in four starts. The 23-year-old Smith made 16 starts for Kansas City last season, including three against the Indians. Smith, who was 2-1 with a 5.63 ERA against Cleveland, is being called up as the 26th player allowed for Sunday’s split-doubleheader. Smith is starting in place of right-hander Luis Mendoza, who has been pushed back to start on Wednesday against Tampa Bay.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Royals have won six of their last seven games against the Indians.
2. Indians C Carlos Santana is 23-for-67 (.343) with five homers and 20 RBIs in his career at Kauffman Stadium.
3. Royals RHP Greg Holland has converted six saves in seven opportunities and has 11 strikeouts over his last five innings.