Kansas City @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2018 ) Cleveland 12, Kansas City 5

The Kansas City Royals look to test their hottest stretch of the season when they begin a six-game road trip with the first of three against the American League Central-leading Cleveland Indians on Monday afternoon. The Royals, who sit last in the AL Central but took two of three from the Indians late last month, finished a 7-1 homestand with a 9-1 triumph against the major league-worst Baltimore Orioles on Sunday - their season-best fifth victory in a row.

Whit Merrifield continues to lead the way for Kansas City while hitting safely in seven straight contests (13-for-30, seven RBIs) to raise his batting average to .312 and extending his career-best, on-base streak to 22 games. Jakob Junis looks to ride a strong run on the mound when he gets the start for the Royals in the series opener while Cleveland counters with rookie Adam Plutko, who has struggled of late. Francisco Lindor is just 2-for-20 in his last five games overall for the Indians but has worn out Junis to the tune of 6-for-10 with three homers and nine RBIs in his career. Cleveland went 19-9 in August to all but seal its spot in the playoffs but dropped the last two of three against Tampa Bay over the weekend after a late rally fell short in a 6-4 setback Sunday.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jakob Junis (7-12, 4.53 ERA) vs. Indians RH Adam Plutko (4-4, 4.94)

Junis snapped a four-game winless stretch Tuesday with his first career complete game, limiting Detroit to two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts in a 6-2 victory. The 25-year-old Illinois native went 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA across six starts during August, and he held his last five opponents to two or fewer earned runs. Jose Ramirez is also 3-for-7 against Junis, who is 0-2 with a 9.82 ERA in two starts versus the Indians this season.

Plutko has not earned a victory in his last six trips to the mound after going 4-1 through June 24, as he prepares to face Kansas City for the first time. The 26-year-old UCLA product, who has served up 13 homers in 12 games (nine starts) in 2018, gave up two runs over 5 1/3 innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Wednesday. Plutko has had better results at home where he is 3-1 with a 4.66 ERA and a .243 batting average against.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion owns seven RBIs in his last six games and needs one homer to reach 30 for the seventh straight year.

2. Kansas City C Meibrys Viloria had a two-run double in his major-league debut Sunday and veteran C Salvador Perez (thumb) is likely out a few more days.

3. Indians 3B Josh Donaldson (calf), who was acquired Friday, went through batting practice and agility drills Sunday but remains without a timetable for his return.

PREDICTION: Indians 6, Royals 4