Josh Tomlin (4-0, 3.13 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (14-13) take on Edinson Volquez (3-2, 3.13 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (15-14) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the last of a three-game series at Progressive Field. The Royals won the last game 7-0, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 1:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 8 and can be seen on STOh and FSKC.
Tomlin pitched 6.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs and striking out five in a 7-3 win over the Tigers. Volquez went 7.2 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 2-0 defeat to the Nationals in his most recent start. Eric Hosmer (.336, 14 Rs, 4 HRs, 13 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs and one RBI.
The odds for Cleveland and Kansas City are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. Within its division, Cleveland has a record of 6-2 SU. The Indians have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Cleveland’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0. The Indians are the fourth-best team in the AL at limiting walks to their opponents, allowing only 2.6 walks per game so far this season.
The Royals are 9-4 against AL Central foes. Offensively, the Royals have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Royals are an excellent base stealing team with 23 stolen bases, ranking second in the MLB. The Royals allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – CLE
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against Cleveland, the Royals now have three shutouts this season. The Indians have been shut out in two games this season.
The Indians didn’t score any runs in their last game. The Royals have a 3-0 record when they don’t allow any runs.
When they are outhit, the Indians are 2-7. The Royals have a 3-9 record when opponents outhit them.
Cleveland and Kansas City both rank near the bottom of the league in home runs. Cleveland sits at 25th with 24 home runs this season and Kansas City ranks 28th with 22.
Cleveland and Kansas City both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Cleveland sits at 13th with 8.44 hits per game and Kansas City ranks 12th with 8.45.
Ranking 26th, Kansas City is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.678). Cleveland ranks in the bottom half at 20th with an OPS of .714.
When the Royals allow at least one home run, the team is 8-10. Cleveland has the same record when it allows one or more homers.
