Series Preview: Cleveland Indians set for four-game series with Royals

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 05: Cesar Hernandez #7 of the Cleveland Indians is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the ninth inning to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers at Progressive Field on September 05, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Brewers 4-3. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 05: Cesar Hernandez #7 of the Cleveland Indians is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a walk-off RBI single during the ninth inning to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers at Progressive Field on September 05, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Brewers 4-3. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 2: Starting pitcher Triston McKenzie #26 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on September 2, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 2: Starting pitcher Triston McKenzie #26 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on September 2, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Tuesday Sept. 8, 6:10 p.m. EST

Probable Starters: Jakob Junis (0-1, 4.32 ERA) vs. Triston McKenzie (2-0, 1.69 ERA)

Triston McKenzie will make his fourth career start in Tuesday’s matchup with the Royals and for the first time in his career, will face off with an opposing time for the second time within a week.

McKenzie shutout the Royals over six innings of work on Sept. 2 as he tossed six innings, allowed three hits, did not surrender a walk and struck out six. Those hits were by Dozier, Alex Gordon and Ryan McBroom.

With Mike Clevinger now in Cleveland, McKenzie is an official member of the Indians starting rotation and will look to prove himself worth an opportunity of starting a postseason game for the Tribe come October.

Kansas City will send 27-year-old right-hander Jakob Junis to the mound. Junis matched up with McKenzie on Sept. 2 and allowed two runs in four innings of work in his first loss of the season.

Several Indians have had their way with the Cleveland right-hander, including Francisco Lindor, batting .500 with four home runs and 12 RBI’s in 34 at-bats, Carlos Santana, batting .438 in 16 at-bats and Naquin who is batting .474 with two home runs in 19 at-bats.