Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 19, 2013 ) Kansas City 3, Cleveland 6

Back in first place for the first time since May, the Cleveland Indians seek their fifth straight win when they open a three-game series Tuesday at the Kansas City Royals. Cleveland's four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox, coupled with a recent swoon by the Detroit Tigers, has placed the Tribe atop the American League Central by a half-game over the Tigers and 4 1/2 ahead of the Royals.

The Indians are 14-5 in their last 19 games, which includes a series win over Kansas City at home in mid-June. Cleveland took the final two games of that set, which kicked off a 4-7 slide for the Royals. Kansas City managed a four-game series split in Minnesota over the weekend, capped by a 9-8 victory in Sunday's finale.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), Fox Sports Kansas City (Kansas City)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (6-5, 4.16 ERA) vs. Royals RH Luis Mendoza (2-4, 4.16)

Kluber posted back-to-back eight-inning gems in the middle of June before giving up 10 runs and 19 hits in just 10 1/3 innings over his last two outings. The 27-year-old allowed two runs in seven solid frames to win at Kansas City on April 28. That was one of 11 starts this year in which Kluber did not issue a walk.

Mendoza was the losing pitcher at Cleveland two starts ago, giving up four runs in five innings of a 6-3 setback. He pitched better his next time out, limiting Atlanta to two runs in 6 2/3 frames at home, but he remains winless with a 5.23 ERA in six starts at Kauffman Stadium this year. Mendoza has one win in his last eight starts despite a 2.96 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Royals 1B Eric Hosmer is 6-for-12 with three home runs in his last three games.

2. Indians CF Michael Bourn is expected to miss the series opener as he remains on paternity leave.

3. Cleveland scored 36 runs in its four-game sweep of the White Sox.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Royals 4