Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 26, 2013 ) Cleveland 0, Kansas City 0

After Friday's series opener between the host Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians was postponed because of rain, the teams are hoping to begin a four-game set on Saturday. The Royals have had six off days in the past 12 days because of various postponements, and Cleveland has had two rainouts in the past week. Friday's scheduled starters – Indians lefty Scott Kazmir and Kansas City right-hander Ervin Santana – will start on Saturday, and the teams will play a day-night doubleheader on Sunday.

The Indians are hoping to have shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and catcher Carlos Santana back in the lineup after both missed Wednesday’s series finale against the Chicago White Sox. The Indians lost 3-2, snapping a three-game winning streak. Cabrera has missed two games with a right quadriceps injury, but he’s expected to return Friday. Santana, who was out Wednesday with the flu, has homered in two of his last three games. Second baseman Jason Kipnis is off to a slow start, batting .170 (9-for-53) with three RBIs in 13 games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio, Fox Sports Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH Scott Kazmir (0-0, 16.20 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ervin Santana (2-1, 2.48)

Kazmir made his first major-league start since April 2011 last Saturday, giving up six runs over 3 1/3 innings in the Indians’ 19-6 win over the Astros. The 29-year-old left-hander is 3-2 with a 5.23 ERA in 10 career starts against Kansas City, including 1-1 with a 5.93 ERA in six career games at Kauffman Stadium. Billy Butler is 3-for-14 and Gordon has two hits in 10 at-bats against Kazmir, who was named the Indians’ fifth starter after a strong spring training.

Santana has turned in three straight quality starts since a rocky season debut against the White Sox. Acquired from the Angels last October, Santana allowed two runs over seven frames against Boston last Sunday. Nick Swisher is 8-for-38 (.211) with 16 strikeouts against the 30-year-old right-hander, who is 2-8 with a 4.71 ERA in 14 career starts against Cleveland. Santana, who was 1-2 in three starts against the Indians last year, needs two wins to become the 10th Dominican-born pitcher to reach 100.

WALK-OFFS


1. Indians CF Michael Bourn had the stitches removed from his injured right index finger on Thursday and could return as soon as April 30.

2. Kansas City’s starting pitchers have worked at least six innings 15 times in the first 19 games.

3. Cleveland’s bullpen has logged 18 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
PREDICTION: Royals 6, Indians 2