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

By Aaron Gershon

CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 26: Tyler Naquin #30 of the Cleveland Indians hits a one run double off relief pitcher Sergio Romo #54 of the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Progressive Field on August 26, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Twins 6-3. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 26: Tyler Naquin #30 of the Cleveland Indians hits a one run double off relief pitcher Sergio Romo #54 of the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Progressive Field on August 26, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Twins 6-3. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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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)
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.

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