Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2018 ) Cleveland 4, Kansas City 5

Ace Corey Kluber has dominated his club's American League Central rivals this season and looks to befuddle another when the division-leading Cleveland Indians visit the Kansas City Royals on Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game series. Kluber is 8-1 with a 1.99 ERA in 10 starts against the AL Central this series, including two wins over the Royals.

Kluber, who is tied for the major-league lead with 16 victories, has won his last four decisions and is in the mix for his third AL Cy Young Award. He will be looking to help the Indians halt a three-game slide after they blew a ninth-inning lead on Friday, when Ryan O'Hearn and Hunter Dozier hit back-to-back homers to give the Royals a 5-4 victory. Salvador Perez launched a three-run blast earlier in the contest as Kansas City halted a five-game skid and won for just the fifth time in 22 contests. Cleveland's Yonder Alonso recorded two homers and three RBIs in the series opener after going deep just twice in his previous 21 games.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Corey Kluber (16-6, 2.74 ERA) vs. Royals RH Heath Fillmyer (1-1, 4.57)

Kluber defeated Boston in his last turn as he gave up three runs and nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. The 32-year-old is unbeaten in his last five outings, with his most recent setback occurring on July 23 against Pittsburgh. Kluber has posted a 2.08 ERA in his two victories over the Royals this season and is 11-6 with a 2.90 ERA in 22 career starts against the club.

Fillmyer was roughed up for six runs and seven hits - three homers - in three innings against the Chicago White Sox in his last turn. The 24-year-old has allowed 10 runs in eight frames over his last two outings after scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 8 en route to his first major-league victory. Fillmyer worked three hitless frames of relief on July 4 in his lone appearance against Cleveland.

WALK-OFFS

1. Perez is 3-for-23 over his last six games despite Friday's home run.

2. Allen has blown three of his last eight save opportunities after converting 20 of his first 21 chances.

3. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield went 0-for-3 in the series opener to see his 12-game hitting streak come to an end.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Royals 0