Kansas City @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 12, 2013 ) Kansas City 0, Cleveland 3

The Cleveland Indians were stumbling along with six losses in eight games but have turned things around behind their starting rotation. Cleveland will be in search of a third straight victory when they host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday in the second of a three-game series. Indians left-hander Scott Kazmir will attempt to follow back-to-back gems by teammates Danny Salazar and Corey Kluber, who allowed a combined one run and five hits in the past two games.

Offense has suddenly become an issue for Kansas City, which has scored five runs during its three-game losing streak. The Royals rolled up 21 runs in taking two of three games from the Indians earlier this month, but they have scored more than four runs only once in the eight games since that series. Leadoff man Alex Gordon has one hit in his last 13 at-bats and cleanup hitter Salvador Perez is mired in a 2-for-21 slump.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, No television

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (8-6, 4.12 ERA) vs. Indians LH Scott Kazmir (4-4, 4.74)

Guthrie's last start was interrupted by a 59-minute rain delay but he still managed to go 6 2/3 innings and give up one run to beat the New York Yankees and halt a four-start winless streak. Guthrie allowed five runs in 6 1/3 innings versus Cleveland on July 3, but he beat the Indians on April 28 with 6 2/3 scoreless innings. Indians first baseman Nick Swisher is 13-for-34 with two homers and nine RBIs versus Guthrie.

Kazmir has three straight no-decisions since a victory over Minnesota on June 21, when he permitted one run on five hits in seven innings. The former first-round pick has surrendered only six earned runs and 16 hits in 24 2/3 innings over his last four outings. He is 0-1 in two starts against the Royals this season, pitching five innings in each and giving up a combined five runs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland leads the American League with 12 shutouts.

2. Guthrie entered the series second in the AL with 21 homers allowed.

3. Royals 3B Miguel Tejada is batting .406 (13-for-32) against Kazmir.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Indians 3