Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 27, 2013 ) Cleveland 2, Kansas City 3

Sunny skies are in the forecast for Sunday in Kansas City, where the Royals and Cleveland Indians will play a day-night doubleheader after Friday’s scheduled series opener was rained out. The Royals are hoping for a run of good weather after enduring three postponements and two off-days since April 18. Kansas City opened the series on Saturday with a 3-2 win behind another strong outing by Ervin Santana.

The Royals have won four of five and lead the American League Central by one game over Detroit. Like Kansas City, the Indians are eager to play after having two games rained out over the past week. Cleveland center fielder Michael Bourn is eligible to come off the disabled list on Tuesday, but he may need a few extra days. Michael Brantley has been batting leadoff in place of Bourn, who had the stitches removed from his injured right index finger on Thursday.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), Fox Sports Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Justin Masterson (4-1, 1.85 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (2-0, 3.86)

Masterson bounced back from his first loss with a strong outing last Monday against the White Sox, allowing two runs over seven innings. The 28-year-old right-hander is 4-4 with a 3.98 ERA in 12 career starts against Kansas City. Alex Gordon is 11-for-27 with a home run against Masterson, who has lost three of his last four decisions against the Royals. Manager Terry Francona told Cleveland.com that Masterson has embraced his role as the team’s top starter. “I don’t think it’s a burden,” Francona said. “I think he likes it.”

Guthrie is undefeated over his last 15 starts, and he can tie a club record if he avoids a loss on Saturday. The 34-year-old right-hander, originally selected by Cleveland in the first round of the 2002 draft, has won seven straight decisions during that stretch. He’s 2-2 with a 6.84 ERA in six career games (four starts) against Cleveland, all while with Baltimore from 2007-2011. Guthrie has been sharp at home since joining the Royals last July, going 5-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 66 2/3 innings at Kauffman Stadium.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Royals have won six of their last seven games against the Indians.

2. Indians C Carlos Santana is 23-for-67 (.343) with five homers and 20 RBIs in his career at Kauffman Stadium.

3. Royals RHP Greg Holland has converted six saves in seven opportunities and has 11 strikeouts over his last five innings.

PREDICTION: Indians 4, Royals 2