Cleveland @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2018 ) Kansas City 1, Cleveland 3

The Cleveland Indians are looking forward to next week's American League Division Series matchup with Houston and have little for which to play as they open a four-game series against the host Kansas City Royals on Thursday. However, the Royals need at least one win to assure they won't match the franchise record for most losses (106 in 2005).

Kansas City, which has won three straight games, is riding the hot bat of Whit Merrifield, who owns a 16-game hitting streak to go with a .307 average. Merrifield, who has hit 42 doubles this year, recorded two stolen bases in Wednesday's 6-1 interleague victory in Cincinnati to increase his AL-leading total to 41 and join Johnny Damon (42, 46 in 2000) as the only players in franchise history with at least 40 doubles and 40 steals in a season. The Indians rolled to a 10-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday as Edwin Encarnacion went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs while Francisco Lindor launched his ninth leadoff blast of the season. Cleveland has won four of its last five games and needs one victory in the series to reach 90 for the third straight campaign.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Josh Tomlin (2-5, 6.44 ERA) vs. Royals RH Glenn Sparkman (0-3, 4.86)

Tomlin, who is on the bubble for a postseason roster spot, will be making his ninth start of the season. The 33-year-old lasted just four innings in his most recent outing as he yielded four runs and eight hits in a no-decision against the White Sox. Tomlin is 10-5 with a 3.93 ERA in 26 career appearances (21 starts) against the Royals and has been torched by Salvador Perez (20-for-40, one homer, eight doubles, six RBIs).

Sparkman is making his third career start and 15th appearance as he strives to record his first major-league win. The 26-year-old last started on Aug. 21, when he gave up three runs and seven hits over four innings in a loss to Tampa Bay. Sparkman owns a 1.71 WHIP and opponents are batting .309 against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Indians are 10-5 versus the Royals this season.

2. Cleveland INF Erik Gonzalez got hit in the head by a pitch during Wednesday's game and will be re-evaluated on Thursday.

3. Kansas City LF Alex Gordon went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs on Wednesday, giving him 18 RBIs in September after entering the month with 37.

PREDICTION: Indians 7, Royals 4