Kansas City @ Cleveland preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2018 ) Kansas City 3, Cleveland 9

The Cleveland Indians have plenty of room for error this month, but showed a little extra urgency Tuesday night after losing their first three games of September by scoring six runs in the first two innings en route to a 9-3 win. The American League Central-leading Indians look to follow up that effort with a series victory Wednesday afternoon when they host the last-place Kansas City Royals in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Yandy Diaz finished a double shy of the cycle while All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor also went deep for the 31st time this year for Cleveland, which boasts a magic number of 10 to clinch the AL Central and is 43-28 at home. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber attempts to match his career-high with an 18th victory when he takes the mound for the Indians on Wednesday against rookie right-hander Brad Keller, who is coming off his best month as a starter. The Royals saw their season-best six-game winning streak end Tuesday, but can still win their second straight series against Cleveland. Hunter Dozier has led the offense of late for Kansas City, recording multiple hits six times during a seven-game hitting streak after registering two doubles and an RBI in Tuesday’s setback.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FS Kansas City, STO (Cleveland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Brad Keller (7-5, 3.26 ERA) vs. Indians RH Corey Kluber (17-7, 2.80)

Keller is unbeaten in his last four trips to the mound, allowing a total of six runs over 25 innings with 18 strikeouts and five walks. The 23-year-old Georgia native yielded two runs on four hits across eight innings in a 9-2 victory over Baltimore last Friday, throwing a career-high 114 pitches. Yonder Alonso has homered in three at-bats against Keller, who is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three appearances (one start) against Cleveland this season.

Kluber earned his fourth victory in August and fifth in six decisions overall last Friday with seven scoreless innings during a 3-0 win against Tampa Bay. The 32-year-old Alabama native finished August with a 2.81 ERA in six starts - his best since May - striking out 41 over 41 2/3 innings. Jorge Bonifacio is 4-for-5 with an RBI versus Kluber, who is 11-7 with a 3.09 ERA in 23 career starts against Kansas City.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez needs one stolen base to become the third player in franchise history with 30 homers and 30 steals in a season, joining Joe Carter and Grady Sizemore.

2. Kansas City SS Alcides Escobar is 25-for-71 since Aug. 2 after posting two hits Tuesday, raising his batting average from .195 to .221.

3. The Indians recalled INF Adam Rosales and OF Brandon Barnes from Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Indians 5, Royals 1