Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2014 ) Cleveland 4, Kansas City 6

The Kansas City Royals attempt to extend their winning streak to five games when they continue their four-game series against the visiting Cleveland Indians on Saturday. Kansas City outlasted Cleveland in 14 innings in the opener before posting a 6-4 triumph on Friday, when pinch-hitter Billy Butler snapped a tie with a two-run homer in the eighth inning. The Royals, who also look to even their home record at 25-25, climbed within six games of first-place Detroit in the American League Central.

Cleveland remained 7 1/2 games behind the Tigers as it battled back from a 4-1 deficit thanks to Carlos Santana before ultimately losing for the fifth time in six contests. The catcher drove in three runs as he registered his fourth career two-homer performance and is 10-for-20 over his last five games. The Indians are 4-5 on their 11-game road trip, scoring three runs or fewer in four of the losses.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Zach McAllister (3-5, 5.28 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (5-9, 4.56)

McAllister is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Columbus to make his 13th start of the season. The 26-year-old saw his winless streak reach eight outings (0-5) on July 19 despite allowing just one run and three hits over 5 1/3 innings at Detroit. McAllister evened his career record against Kansas City to 2-2 on April 21, when he yielded three runs - two earned - over six frames in a 4-3 triumph.

Guthrie lost his third consecutive start Monday at the Chicago White Sox despite allowing only three runs and five hits in six innings. The 35-year-old surrendered a total of 14 runs over eight frames in his previous two outings. Guthrie fell to 4-5 lifetime against the Indians on July 5, when he was tagged for six runs and 11 hits over four innings at Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Each of Santana's last two two-homer efforts have taken place at Kauffman Stadium.

2. Cleveland SS Asdrubal Cabrera has missed three straight games with lower back spasms but expects to return to the lineup Sunday.

3. Royals 1B-DH Raul Ibanez, 42, on Friday became the oldest player in team history to hit a triple Friday. Bob Boone held the distinction since Sept. 22, 1989, when he registered a three-base hit at the age of 41.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Royals 3