Cleveland Indians Host the ‘New’ Royals for a Three-Game Series

Royals come to town for three-game series vs. Tribe

So they aren’t completely ‘new’, and the Cleveland Indians won’t have to face him in this series, but the Kansas City Royals acquisition of Johnny Cueto was an indicator they believe they’re the team to beat. The Tribe will have to face Edinson Volquez (9-5, 3.15) who has been pitching well as of late. The Indians send rookie Cody Anderson (2-1, 1.91), who is coming off his worst start since being called up. 

The Indians (45-52) will need to battle back after the White Sox swept them, pushing the Tribe into last place in the division. If they want to keep from falling any further back, they’ll need to get things together quickly against the Royals. Kansas City has never faced Anderson, so he’ll have the advantage there.

Brandon Moss, who has been struggling, has hit the Royals well this season going 10-for-34 (.294) while the Tribe has dropped five of nine in the series.

The Royals (59-38) have either held or had a share of the division lead for 78 days this season. Last year they held it for just a total of 33. Anderson will have his hands full as Eric Hosmer is hitting .361 (13-for-360 while Mike Moustakas is hitting .417 (15-for-36) against the Tribe this season.

Cleveland has pushed just five runs across in their last five games at Progressive Field. They will also be looking to avoid their first seven-game skid at home since 2011.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET at Progressive. SportsTime Ohio has the television coverage while WMMS 100.7 and WTAM 1100 will have the radio broadcast.

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

Next: Series Preview: Royals at Indians