Cleveland Indians to continue Show-Me State tour in Kansas City

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After taking two of three from the Cardinals in St. Louis, the Cleveland Indians will travel to the western side of the Show-Me State to take on the Royals.

Despite dropping the final game of their three-game series with the Cardinals, the Cleveland Indians will travel to Kanas City to take on the Royals tied for first place in the AL Central.

Cleveland took two out of three games from the Cardinals this past weekend while the Detroit Tigers swept the Twins. Thus, the Indians find themselves in a first-place tie with the Chicago White Sox, who took two out of three games from Kansas City over the weekend.

The Indians’ trip to Kansas City will be their first and only of the shortened 2020 season. Cleveland is 2-1 against the Royals so far this season as they took two out of three from them to open the season.

Kansas City enters the series 13-21 on the season as they continue to rebuild after going all-in to win the World Series in 2015 and being unable to resign their championship core as all-stars Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Johnny Cueto all left the club via free agency shortly after their title run.

Can the Indians take care of business and move into sole possession of first place in the central? Here’s a look at lies ahead for the Tribe in Kansas City.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 24: Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the first inning of the Opening Day game against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on July 24, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Monday Aug. 31, 8:05 p.m. EST

Probable Starters: Shane Bieber (6-0, 1.35 ERA) vs. Brad Keller (3-1, 2.08 ERA)

The Indians will send their ace and AL Cy Young Award front-runner Shane Bieber to the mound in the series opener Monday.

No pitcher in Baseball has been more dominant than Bieber this season as he leads the MLB in strikeouts (75) and is tied for the best ERA (1.35) and in wins (six).

Bieber started against the Royals on opening day and twirled a gem as he struck out 14 batters in six scoreless innings. Not many of Kansas City’s hitters have had much success against the Cleveland right-hander in past matchups with the exception of Whit Merrifield who is batting .353 with a home run and four RBI’s in 17 at-bats.

As for the Royals, they’ll send their ace to the mound as well in the form of right-hander Brad Keller. Keller is 3-1 this season with an outstanding 2.08 ERA in four starts. He started the season on the injured list; thus he did not pitch against the Indians in their opening series.

Of the Indians hitters with at least five at-bats against the Royals right-hander, only two are hitting above .250 in Jose Ramirez (.429 in seven-at bats) and Greg Allen (.333 in six at-bats).

With the Indians hot and cold offense, and Bieber nearly always untouchable, Monday’s game figures to be a pitchers duel.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – JULY 15: Mike Clevinger #52 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the second inning of an intrasquad at Progressive Field on July 15, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Tuesday Sept. 1, 8:05 p.m. EST

Probable Starters: Mike Clevinger (1-1, 3.18 ERA) vs. Jakob Junis (0-0, 4.26 ERA)

As of Monday morning, Mike Clevinger is still a Cleveland Indian and is scheduled to pitch Tuesday’s second game against the Royals.

Clevinger could end up being moved by Monday’s 4 p.m. EST deadline, but if not, will take on a Royals lineup that he tossed seven innings of two-run ball against Kansas City on July 25 in Cleveland.

In four starts this season, Clevinger is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA and helped lead the Tribe past the Twins in his most recent outing after returning from the teams’ alternate site.

While he had his way against the Royals in July, historically, many Kansas City hitters have had success against Clevinger, including Jorge Soler, who is batting .474 with a home run and six RBI’s off the Cleveland right-hander in 19 at-bats.

If Clevinger is dealt, look for the Indians to go to their bullpen with Adam Plutko, the most likely option to make a spot start.

The Royals will counter with right-hander Jakob Junis. Junis will be making his fourth start of the season as he has posted a 4.26 ERA through his first three starts of the season.

Many Indians have had their way with Junis in previous matchups. Francisco Lindor is batting .500 with four home runs against the Royal right-hander in 32 at-bats, Tyler Naquin is batting .412 with a home run in 17 at-bats and Carlos Santana is batting .500 with four RBI’s in 14 at-bats.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 22: Starting pitcher Triston McKenzie #26 of the Cleveland Indians pitches to Victor Reyes #22 of the Detroit Tigers during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on August 22, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Wednesday Sept. 2, 8:05 p.m. EST

Probable Starters: Triston McKenzie (1-0, 2.70 ERA) vs. Danny Duffy (2-2, 4.11)

The Indians will finish off their series with the Royals by sending Triston McKenzie to the mound for his third major league start.

McKenzie struck out 10 batters in a win over the Tigers in his MLB debut earlier this month but struggled with his command in his most recent outing against the Cardinals as he lasted just four innings and took a no-decision.

Wednesday will be the 23-year-old right-handers’ first career start against the division-rival Royals.

While the Indians will send their youngest arm to the mound, Kansas City will go to their veteran as 31-year old right-hander Danny Duffy will make the start in the series finale.

Duffy faced the Indians on opening day and pitched 4.1 innings that saw him allow two runs and give up two runs as he suffered the loss.

More from Away Back Gone

Carlos Santana has been a nightmare for Duffy as in 38 at-bats, the Indians’ first basemen is hitting .421 with three home runs and eight RBI’s against the Royal right-hander. Lindor has also had success against Duffy as he’s hit two home runs off the former World Series champion.

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Series Preview: Cleveland Indians to continue Show-Me State tour in Kansas City