Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2018 ) Cleveland 3, Kansas City 2

The Cleveland Indians just battled the team with the best record in baseball and now take aim at a club with one of the worst when they visit the Kansas City Royals on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Cleveland lost the final two games of its set against American League East-leading Boston for a four-game split and look to halt the minor slide against the Royals, who own the second-worst record in the majors.

Cleveland stars Jose Ramirez (2-for-14) and Francisco Lindor (3-for-17) both failed to drive in a run in the series versus Boston as their team was outscored 17-4 in the final two contests. "There were good things and bad things in this four-game series," Lindor told reporters. "We could have done a couple of things better. But it's live and learn. We move forward. We continue to get better day in and day out. They have a good team. You can't be too mad." Kansas City has dropped five straight games after first baseman Ryan O'Hearn's errant throw home allowed Tampa Bay to post a 4-3 walk-off victory on Thursday. Whit Merrifield went 3-for-4 in the defeat and has gone 19-for-47 with two homers and seven RBIs during his 12-game hitting streak.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Mike Clevinger (9-7, 3.25 ERA) vs. Royals RH Brad Keller (6-5, 3.32)

Clevinger is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA over his last three starts and pitched six scoreless innings in a win over Baltimore in his last turn. The 27-year-old has a solid 2.75 ERA while going 5-4 in 12 road outings. Clevinger is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts against Kansas City this season and 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts).

Keller has recorded back-to-back victories, allowing two runs in 12 innings. The 23-year-old is 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA in 17 home appearances (seven starts) this season. Keller has tossed 4 1/3 scoreless frames in two relief appearances against the Indians this season and picked up the victory on May 11, when he worked three innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians swept a three-game set in Kansas City from July 2-4 and have a 7-2 record in the season series.

2. Kansas City activated LHP Danny Duffy (shoulder), who pitched five innings on Thursday, from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Glenn Sparkman to Triple-A Omaha.

3. Cleveland placed Neil Ramirez (back) on the 10-day DL and activated fellow RHP Josh Tomlin (hamstring), who worked three frames on Thursday.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Royals 2