Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2013 ) Cleveland 6, Kansas City 5

The first-place Cleveland Indians seek their sixth consecutive victory when they face the host Kansas City Royals in Wednesday’s second contest of a three-game series. Cleveland improved to 7-2 during its 11-game road trip with Tuesday’s 6-5 victory and holds a half-game lead over the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. The Royals have lost five of their last six meetings with the Indians and are 5 1/2 games off the pace.

Cleveland's Jason Kipnis scored twice in the opener and extended his hitting streak to 13 games while reaching safely in his 33rd consecutive contest. He batted .419 with 25 RBIs in June and twice was named AL Player of the Week. Kansas City's Alex Gordon hit his second grand slam of the season on Tuesday and has two homers in the last six contests following a 42-game drought.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians LH Scott Kazmir (4-4, 4.83 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (7-6, 4.11)

Kazmir was exceptional in his last outing, giving up one unearned run and one hit in a seven-inning no-decision against the Baltimore Orioles. He allowed one run and five hits in seven frames five days earlier, when he defeated the Minnesota Twins. Kazmir is 3-3 with a 5.09 ERA in 11 career outings against Kansas City.

Guthrie has lost three consecutive starts while allowing 14 runs (12 earned) and 19 hits in 15 2/3 innings. He has given up 19 home runs despite keeping the ball in the park in each of his last two outings. Guthrie tossed 6 2/3 scoreless frames while beating the Indians on April 28 to improve his mark to 3-2 with a 5.45 ERA in seven career appearances (five starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Indians 1B/OF Nick Swisher is hitting .419 with two homers and nine RBIs in 31 career at-bats against Guthrie.

2. Kansas City INF Miguel Tejada owns a .400 lifetime average vs. Kazmir.

3. Cleveland C Carlos Santana had two RBIs on Tuesday and is 3-for-8 with a homer and two doubles against Guthrie.

PREDICTION: Indians 8, Royals 4