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MLB : ATS Matchup
Wednesday 5/6/2015Line$ LineOU LineScore
CLEVELAND  CARRASCO )
 
KANSAS CITY  DUFFY )
+1.5  -170

-1.5  +150
+125

-135

7ov
 
10
Final
3

CLEVELAND (9 - 16) at KANSAS CITY (17 - 9)
View Previous GameView Next Game
Wednesday, 5/6/2015 8:10 PM
CARLOS CARRASCO (R) vs. DANNY DUFFY (L)
Board OpeningLatest
 LineTotalLineTotal
923CLEVELAND+125Ov 7.5,-115+120Ov 7.5,+105
924KANSAS CITY-135Un 7.5,-105-130Un 7.5,-125
ADVANCED TEAM STATS
CLEVELAND - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games9-16-10.312-124.20.2440.3130.3890.7035.00.2730.3400.4120.752
Road Games5-8-4.33-93.60.2320.2900.3930.6833.50.2350.3030.3530.656
vs Left-handed Starters2-9-7.96-53.60.2190.2880.3460.6345.20.2710.3450.4110.756
Past 7 Games3-4-26-15.60.2750.3570.4590.8176.90.2930.3510.4880.839
Grass Games9-16-10.312-124.20.2440.3130.3890.7035.00.2730.3400.4120.752
Night Games5-8-4.86-74.20.2260.2970.4060.7034.00.2480.3020.3720.674
Division5-13-10.49-84.10.2320.3020.3680.6705.30.2950.3540.4340.788
CLEVELAND - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games4.20.2440.31325837204451250.389103851611216820142224
Road Games3.60.2320.29013440102181170.393453682681961014
Lefty Starters3.60.2190.288113617919090.346403580372751013
CLEVELAND - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games3.751.44886.4443687938881-44357.1%
Road Games3.861.43932.7141431416410-22166.7%

KANSAS CITY - Current Season Performance
 Team RecordsTeamOpponent
 W-LUnitsO-URunsAvgOBPSLGOPSRunsAvgOBPSLGOPS
All Games17-9+8.214-105.10.2930.3340.4340.7693.30.2190.2790.3350.614
Home Games10-4+5.47-64.70.2840.3300.4330.7632.90.2200.2780.3260.604
vs Right-handed Starters9-5+3.810-35.80.3070.3500.4450.7953.40.2170.2770.3630.641
Past 7 Games4-3+1.25-25.40.2830.3120.4290.7413.60.2190.2910.3460.637
Grass Games17-9+8.214-105.10.2930.3340.4340.7693.30.2190.2790.3350.614
Night Games12-6+6.49-84.60.2960.3340.4200.7543.20.2120.2760.3290.606
Division12-8+3.911-75.20.2890.3310.4310.7623.30.2200.2810.3270.607
KANSAS CITY - Team Hitting and Fielding Statistics
Team BattingTeam BattingTeam Fielding
 RunsAVGOBPGABH2B3BHRSLGRBIBBSOSBLOBGIDPERRDPOSB
All Games5.10.2930.33426907266528200.43412656150211812613255
Home Games4.70.2840.33014457130266100.4336331621691124174
Righty Starters5.80.3070.35014485149275100.4457432851193175163
KANSAS CITY - Bullpen Pitching Statistics
 ERAWHIPIPRERHHRBBSOW-LSVBSVPct.
All Games1.080.77783.7101044421746-110283.3%
Home Games0.400.75645222519394-07187.5%
SCHEDULE AND RESULTS
CLEVELAND - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
4/22/2015KLUBER(R)@ CHI WHITE SOXSAMARDZIJA(R)0-6L-1207.5 unU81101470
4/24/2015SALAZAR(R)@ DETROITGREENE(R)13-1W1058 ovO15308110
4/25/2015HOUSE(L)@ DETROITSIMON(R)1-4L1408.5 unU8718110
4/26/2015CARRASCO(R)@ DETROITLOBSTEIN(L)6-8L-1108 unO10611380
4/27/2015KLUBER(R)KANSAS CITYVARGAS(L)2-6L-1406.5 unO4631390
4/28/2015BAUER(R)KANSAS CITYGUTHRIE(R)5-11L-1307.5 evO9711870
4/29/2015SALAZAR(R)KANSAS CITYVENTURA(R)7-5W-1157 unO861951
4/30/2015HOUSE(L)TORONTONORRIS(L)1-5L+1258 unU11100750
5/1/2015CARRASCO(R)TORONTOBUEHRLE(L)9-4W-1357.5 unO1380861
5/2/2015KLUBER(R)TORONTOSANCHEZ(R)4-11L-1757.5 ovO6911472
5/3/2015BAUER(R)TORONTOHUTCHISON(R)10-7W-1208.5 unO13701080
5/5/2015SALAZAR(R)@ KANSAS CITYVARGAS(L)3-5L1107.5 unO430630
5/6/2015CARRASCO(R)@ KANSAS CITYDUFFY(L) 
5/7/2015KLUBER(R)@ KANSAS CITYVOLQUEZ(R) 
5/8/2015BAUER(R)MINNESOTAPELFREY(R) 
5/9/2015 MINNESOTAHUGHES(R) 
5/10/2015SALAZAR(R)MINNESOTAMAY(R) 
5/12/2015 ST LOUIS  
5/13/2015 ST LOUIS  

KANSAS CITY - Schedule
 Team StatsOpp Stats
DateTeam StarterOpponentOpp StarterScoreW/LLineTot.O/UHLOBEHLOBE
4/22/2015GUTHRIE(R)MINNESOTAPELFREY(R)0-3L-1458.5 unU68110120
4/23/2015VENTURA(R)@ CHI WHITE SOXSALE(L)3-2W1407 unU13817100
4/24/2015DUFFY(L)@ CHI WHITE SOXQUINTANA(L)2-3L1157.5 unU8428111
4/26/2015VOLQUEZ(R)@ CHI WHITE SOXDANKS(L)3-5L-1158 evP862641
4/27/2015VARGAS(L)@ CLEVELANDKLUBER(R)6-2W1306.5 unO1390463
4/28/2015GUTHRIE(R)@ CLEVELANDBAUER(R)11-5W1207.5 evO1870971
4/29/2015VENTURA(R)@ CLEVELANDSALAZAR(R)5-7L1057 unO951861
4/30/2015DUFFY(L)DETROITSIMON(R)8-1W-1258 ovO1480770
5/1/2015YOUNG(R)DETROITLOBSTEIN(L)4-1W-1158.5 unU1070482
5/2/2015VOLQUEZ(R)DETROITPRICE(L)1-2L+1157.5 unU531771
5/3/2015GUTHRIE(R)DETROITSANCHEZ(R)4-6L+1108.5 unO6311130
5/5/2015VARGAS(L)CLEVELANDSALAZAR(R)5-3W-1207.5 unO630430
5/6/2015DUFFY(L)CLEVELANDCARRASCO(R) 
5/7/2015VOLQUEZ(R)CLEVELANDKLUBER(R) 
5/8/2015VENTURA(R)@ DETROITPRICE(L) 
5/9/2015GUTHRIE(R)@ DETROITSANCHEZ(R) 
5/10/2015VARGAS(L)@ DETROITGREENE(R) 
5/11/2015DUFFY(L)@ TEXASLEWIS(R) 
5/12/2015 @ TEXAS  
5/13/2015 @ TEXAS  
KEY GAME INFORMATION
CLEVELAND: CLEVELAND (AP) - While their AL Central rivals jockeyed during the offseason, one trying to outdo the other to improve their chances of winning a World Series title, the Indians watched.
That was the plan.
No, they didn't make any blockbuster trades, sign a big-name, big-ticket free agent or overhaul their roster with new faces. The Indians, who somehow stayed in contention last season until the waning days of September, didn't feel the need to make radical changes. It wasn't necessary.
The pieces are in place for Cleveland to have a special 2015 season.
''The team knows it,'' said second baseman Jason Kipnis. ''We got two winning seasons in a row. We had an 85-win season when we had about three guys playing good. The possibilities are there, the potential is there. That whole last year we never had more than a seven-game winning streak, never really got hot.
''We got the same corps. Same group of guys. We kind of want another chance at this again - and we're getting another chance.''
The Indians return virtually the same team that went 85-77 last season, finishing third behind division champion Detroit and wild-card winner Kansas City, which ended a postseason drought dating to 1985, won the pennant and pushed San Francisco to seven games in the World Series.
Watching the Royals inspired the Indians. And as he prepares for his third season in Cleveland, manager Terry Francona senses a different drive in his players.
They're hungry.
''Our veteran guys are trying to get better,'' he said. ''Our younger guys are excited to prove what they can do. I didn't see anybody just kind of go home and want to kind of keep the status quo. We're all excited about that.''
Francona said they're upping expectations both on performance and results.
''They're kind of at a stage where they're embracing trying to see if we can go up against some of these teams and, not only maybe hold our own, but maybe do a little more than that,'' Francona said.
There's no denying Francona's magical touch. The man who helped end Boston's supposed baseball curse, who got the Indians to the postseason in 2013, has an uncanny ability to convince players buy in to his program and get them to believe they can overcome any obstacles: injuries, payroll, low expectations, the Tigers lineup.
This spring, Francona didn't have to sell the Indians, who haven't won a World Series since 1948, on the idea they can compete. They already know that. Now it's a matter of taking the next step.
''When guys believe they can do it, and then they start to do it, then you see the confidence take over and guys take off, and you can accomplish a lot,'' he said. ''That's part of the fun of the season, to see how good you can get. I'd rather enjoy, as much as we can, the journey.''
---
KLUBER UBER ALLES
All Corey Kluber did in his first major-league season was win 18 games, re-write some record books, dominate almost every time he pitched and win the AL Cy Young.
The 28-year-old could do it again.
Seemingly programmed because of his consistent performances and composed demeanor, Kluber gives the Indians a long-needed and legitimate No. 1 starter capable of winning every time he gets the ball. He scares opponents and makes his teammates better.
The Indians have discussed a long-term contract extension for the right-hander, who isn't even eligible for arbitration.
---
YOUR TABLE, MR. BRANTLEY
Michael Brantley just might be baseball's most unassuming star, and he plans to keep it that way. The 27-year-old's breakout 2014 season - he batted .327 with 20 homers, 97 RBIs and a third-place finish in MVP voting - was followed by obligatory can-he-do-it-again questions.
Francona thinks Brantley might be poised for bigger things. The spotlight will find Brantley, but he's not craving it.
''He's so consistent at a high level that I don't see that going away,'' he said. ''He's so confident in what he's doing that I think he enjoys playing the game and the other things that come with it, I think he could take it or leave it. He has a really good understanding of who he is.''
---
BETTER BE BETTER
For the Indians to get where they want, Kipnis (.240), CF Michael Bourn (106 games) and DH Nick Swisher (offseason knee surgeries) need to bounce back and produce more than they did in `14.
No position player is more important than Kipnis, a 2013 All-Star who was injured most of last season.
''He can affect the game so many ways - steal a base, get a bunt down, hit a ball in the gap,'' Francona said.
KANSAS CITY: KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Every once in a while, Ned Yost will spin a story about his days on Bobby Cox's bench with the Atlanta Braves, back when the organization was winning NL pennants by the fistful.
Inevitably, Yost would start drawing comparisons to his Kansas City Royals - that they were building through the farm system in the same manner as the Braves, and Kansas City would embrace the franchise in the same way Atlanta did if it ever became a winner.
Last year, that narrative finally made sense.
After squeaking into the playoffs as a wild card, the Royals swept all the way to the World Series. If not for a virtuoso performance by Madison Bumgarner of the San Francisco Giants, the Royals might very well have been celebrating their second championship.
The postseason run led Yost to draw one more comparison when he arrived in Arizona for the start of a new season, and his players filed into the clubhouse for the first time.
''It definitely reminded me of that feeling in Atlanta,'' he said, ''when you came to spring training every year with the feeling that you have an opportunity to go to the World Series - instead of hoping, you know? And it's a different feeling.''
There is good reason for that feeling, too.
The Royals return most of the pieces from the club that ended a 29-year playoff drought, including one of the best bullpens in baseball history. And the pieces they did lose to free agency have been replaced with what could turn out to be upgrades.
Designated hitter Billy Butler is gone, Kendrys Morales signed in his place. Alex Rios is taking over for Nori Aoki in right field. Edinson Volquez was signed to fill the rotation spot of staff ace James Shields, who chased bigger money all the way to San Diego.
Even though a few faces have changed, the tenants that the Royals believe in have not: They will continue to rely on speed, defense and pitching to chase another playoff berth.
''Any time you're fortunate enough to keep those key pieces, you feel good,'' said Greg Holland, the Royals' All-Star closer. ''Yeah, we lost Billy and Shields and Nori, but for the most part, we're right where we need to be.''
Besides, the back end of the bullpen is still intact.
Kelvin Herrera harnessed his electrifying fastball to become a shutdown seventh-inning reliever last season. Former starter Wade Davis had a historically dominant year as the setup man. Holland further cemented his status as the AL's best closer.
''The way you tilt the field in your favor, in my opinion, is having quality pitching and really good defense,'' Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. ''Those are things that hopefully can show up every single day and perform for you.''
As the Royals approach opening day against the Chicago White Sox on April 6 at Kauffman Stadium, here are a few other story lines to watch this season:
THE ROTATION: Shields was the anchor in 2014, but he struggled mightily in the playoffs. So when the Royals signed Volquez to replace him, it was mostly met with a collective shrug.
Besides, the success of the rotation will more likely be determined by the success of young flamethrowers Danny Duffy and Yordano Ventura, both of whom have ace ability.
INJURY BUGS: The Royals stayed remarkably healthy last season. Will karma even out?
Second baseman Omar Infante already missed long stretches of spring training with a bone spur in his elbow that could require surgery next offseason. Left fielder Alex Gordon also got a slow start to the spring after undergoing wrist surgery this past offseason.
SLOW STARTS: The last couple of seasons, the Royals have gotten off to slow starts. They unsuccessfully dug out of a big hole two years ago, but pulled it off last season.
Considering every other team in the AL Central appeared to get better over the winter, the Royals can ill afford to let Detroit, Cleveland and Minnesota and the White Sox bury them.
RESTING SALVY: All-Star catcher Salvador Perez faded in the playoffs in part due to his heavy work load in the regular season, where he appeared in 150 games. Yost intends to give him more days off this year, though it's hard to take his bat out of the lineup.
BASEBALL TOWN: Did the World Series run turn Kansas City into a baseball town again? The club has been overshadowed for decades by the Chiefs, who play just across the parking lot in Arrowhead stadium. How will fans respond to having the reigning AL champions?
PREVIEW
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW (CLEVELAND-KANSAS CITY) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(TIGHTENS 4th graph)

*Indians-Royals Preview* ========================

Cleveland (9-15) at Kansas City (16-9), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Cleveland Indians have lost more games to left-handed starters than anyone else and face another one Wednesday night.

They'll try to hand Danny Duffy his first home defeat in nine starts and even this three-game series against the Kansas City Royals.

The Royals' Jason Vargas allowed two runs over six innings in Tuesday's 5-3 victory to drop Cleveland (9-16) to 2-9 against left-handed starters. The Indians totaled four hits.

Kansas City (17-9) is 3-0 at home in games started by Duffy (2-0, 3.45 ERA), who allowed one run over seven-plus innings in Thursday's 8-1 rout of Detroit at Kauffman Stadium. He is 2-0 with a 2.72 ERA in his last eight home starts.

Duffy went 1-1 with a 1.75 ERA in four 2014 starts versus the Indians, with Mike Aviles, Jason Kipnis, Michael Bourn and Lonnie Chisenhall going a combined 4 for 34 in their matchups. Michael Brantley and Carlos Santana each went 5 for 13.

Cleveland manager Terry Francona didn't start Bourn on Tuesday while facing a left-hander and isn't planning to start him in this contest. Bourn is batting .189 against lefties.

The decision to sit Bourn is in part because the Indians activated Nick Swisher, who went 0 for 4 and struck out to end the game in his season debut after being out due to knee surgery.

Kansas City will welcome back Lorenzo Cain, who has finished serving a two-game suspension for his role in a brawl with the Chicago White Sox. He leads the club with a .333 average.

Cain is also known for making spectacular catches in the outfield and the Royals turned in several such plays Tuesday.

"We hit some balls real well," Francona said, "but their outfield catches everything, almost."

The Royals' bullpen tops the majors with a 1.08 ERA and will receive a boost Wednesday with the return of Greg Holland, who has been out since April 17 with a right pectoral strain.

"He's fine and he's ready to go," manager Ned Yost told MLB's official website.

Wade Davis has been the closer in Holland's absence, recording his sixth save Tuesday.

Cleveland is 3-0 when Carlos Carrasco (3-2, 4.98) starts at Kansas City and 0-4 when he starts against the Royals at home. The right-hander, who is 2-0 with a 4.08 ERA in those starts at Kauffman Stadium, gave up four runs in six innings Friday to get credit for a 9-4 victory over Toronto.

Alex Gordon is 2 for 17 off Carrasco and Cain and Salvador Perez are each 2 for 10. Eric Hosmer, who homered and drove in four runs Tuesday, is 3 for 9.

Hosmer has hit safely in 12 straight starts against the Indians, going 18 for 53 with 13 RBIs.

The Royals lead the majors with a .293 average.

"We've got good hitters," Yost said. "And when you've got good hitters, they'll put together nice innings and more consistently than we have in a long, long time."

Brantley hit a two-run homer Tuesday and is 9 for 19 with eight RBIs in his last five games.


Last Updated: 3/29/2024 2:27:47 AM EST.


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