Cleveland Indians must capitalize on Kansas City Royals’ struggles

The Cleveland Indians must play like a first-place team and win this weekend’s series against the struggling Kansas City Royals.

The Cleveland Indians may not be off to the start some fans hoped for, but the team is 15-12 and in a tie with the Chicago White Sox at the top of the American League Central. This is much better than what is happening with the Kansas City Royals.

The Royals are currently 9-18, fresh off a nine-game losing streak and owners of a 2-11 road record. Even the Toronto Blue Jays have picked up five road wins.

The Royals are 7-7 at home, but their season seems to be headed for disappointment once again after a stretch from 2014-2015 when fans may have thought a dynasty had begun.

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The Indians are currently on the Royals’ path from two years ago, when the team made it to the World Series in 2014 and lost in seven games. That was followed up with a World Series victory, which fans are hoping for in Cleveland.

But this 2017 version of the Indians has gotten off to an inconsistent start both on the mound and at the plate. However, the bullpen is exempt from any frustration from fans.

The Indians have scored 123 runs this season, but 36 of those came in three blowout wins.

That means the team is averaging just 3.625 runs in the other 24 games. Couple that with a starting rotation that has only seen consistent success from Carlos Carrasco, and fans have been concerned up to this point.

That is why the Indians must take advantage of a struggling Royals squad and pick up a dominant series victory this weekend.

It starts with the offense, with tonight’s opposing pitcher being Jason Hammel, who is coming off an appearance in which he allowed five earned runs in just three innings of work.

The team is coming off a day of rest on Thursday and a win on Wednesday, so hopefully the confidence is there in Kansas City tonight.

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Most of the lineup has something to prove, especially after a combined six runs in three games against the Tigers, and the Royals are the perfect team to help spark an Indians turnaround.

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