Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 2, 2018 ) Cleveland 9, Kansas City 3

Francisco Lindor failed to reach his lofty expectations in June, but he is setting an incredibly high bar for himself only two games into July. The two-time All-Star attempts to maintain his torrid offensive pace and continue his recent domination of the Royals when the Cleveland Indians visit Kansas City for the second of three games between the best and worst teams in the American League Central.

Lindor finished June with a bit of a flurry to raise his offensive marks for the month to a .243 batting average, six homers and 12 RBIs. The 24-year-old Puerto Rican shortstop began July by going 3-for-4 with two doubles, a homer, two RBIs and four runs scored in Sunday's 15-3 rout in Oakland and may have outdid himself in Monday's 9-3 series-opening win versus Kansas City, hitting a grand slam and a three-run homer for a career-high seven RBIs to go along with three runs scored. The Royals own the worst offense in the majors and have totaled 21 runs while dropping five of seven against Cleveland this season. The Royals have scored four runs or fewer in 23 of their last 24 games and dropped 23 of 28 since the beginning of June.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Shane Bieber (3-0, 2.22 ERA) vs. Royals LH Danny Duffy (4-7, 4.94)

Bieber has permitted a total of two runs and struck out 21 versus only three walks while winning all three of his starts since his recall from Triple-A Columbus on June 17. The 23-year-old gave up one run on six hits while fanning five en route to a victory at St. Louis on Wednesday. Bieber earned his promotion by going 6-1 with a 1.29 ERA in 12 turns with the Clippers and will make his fifth career big-league start - first against Kansas City - on Tuesday.

Duffy has settled into a bit of a groove over his last seven turns, yielding one run or less in five of those outings while logging at least six innings six times. The former third-round pick is 0-3 with a 6.32 ERA in six home turns this season but allowed one run and fanned seven in a win at Milwaukee on Wednesday. Duffy is 2-8 with a 5.06 ERA all-time versus the Indians and has surrendered 12 runs over nine innings while losing both of his starts against them this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Lindor is 9-for-12 with four home runs, 10 RBIs and eight runs scored in his last three games versus Kansas City. His 17 career homers against the Royals are seven more than he has against any other opponent.

2. Kansas City 2B Whit Merrifield is batting .409 during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Cleveland OF Lonnie Chisenhall, who was a late scratch with a strained left calf Monday, will be placed on the disabled list shortly, according to manager Terry Francona.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Royals 2