KANSAS CITY ROYALS (77-75)

at CLEVELAND INDIANS (88-63)

First pitch: Thursday, 7:10 p.m. ET
Line: Kansas City +148, Cleveland -158, Total: 9.0

The Indians, on the verge of clinching the American League Central, go for the sweep of the division-rival Royals in Cleveland.

The Indians (88-63) won the opener of this series, 2-1, and took the second game, 4-3, on Wednesday night. Coming into Thursday’s finale against the Royals (77-75), the first-place Indians—with a magic number of five—lead the second-place Tigers by 7 ½ games and the third-place Royals by 11 ½ games. RHP Mike Clevinger (2-2, 4.76 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) will start for the Indians on Thursday, and he’ll be opposed by Royals LHP Jason Vargas (0-0, 3.00, 1.00 WHIP). The Indians have had the Royals’ number this season, going 10-5 against them. And in nine games at Progressive Field in 2016, the Indians have beaten the Royals eight times. The defending-champion Royals haven’t played well away from Kauffman Stadium, posting a 32-45 mark. The Indians, on the other hand, have been very tough to beat in Cleveland, going 51-26 at their home park.

Ned Yost’s team has really struggled to score this season. The Royals are 14th in the American League in runs (629), last in home runs (138) and 13th in on-base percentage (.313). No regular in Kansas City’s lineup is hitting above .300. The Royals’ most consistent hitters have been RF Lorenzo Cain (.287, 9 HR, 56 RBI, 14 SB)—who hasn’t played since Sept. 9 with a hand injury—2B Whit Merrifield (.284, 2 HR, 25 RBI) and 3B Cheslor Cuthbert (.276, 10 HR, 43 RBI). 1B Eric Hosmer (.270, 23 HR, 97 RBI), DH Kendrys Morales (.262, 29 HR, 89 RBI) and C Salvador Perez (.249, 21 HR, 61 RBI) are the biggest power threats in KC’s lineup. The Royals have never faced Clevinger, so their hitters will have to make adjustments as the game progresses. Vargas hasn’t faced the Indians this season—he’s only pitched three innings in 2016—but is 6-3 against them in his career with a 4.70 ERA.

Terry Francona’s club has won four of five as it inches closer to a division title. Cleveland has a potent offense that’s second in the AL in runs (735), third in hits (1,366), second in doubles (290), fourth in average (.264), second in on-base percentage (.329) and third in OPS (.762). 3B Jose Ramirez (.315, 10 HR, 71 RBI, 22 SB) and SS Francisco Lindor (.306, 14 HR, 71 RBI, 18 SB) have had fantastic seasons, and RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.295, 8 HR, 56 RBI) and 2B Jason Kipnis (.279, 22 HR, 79 RBI, 14 SB) have been productive as well. DH Carlos Santana (.251, 33 HR, 79 RBI) and 1B Mike Napoli (.244, 34 HR, 98 RBI), despite their low averages, have done an excellent job of providing power and driving in runs. Backup OF Coco Crisp (.228, 12 HR, 50 RBI) might get the start in center field, as he’s faced Vargas 47 times (14-for-47) and hit two homers and two doubles off him. Kipnis (7-for-21 with 2 2B and 4 RBI) has hit Vargas well, and Napoli (12-for-32 with 4 HR) has absolutely owned him. 25-year-old Clevinger, in his rookie season, will be making his first career start against Kansas City. The Indians have lost the last six games he’s appeared in—he’s just 0-1 in that span— and in eight career starts he’s never pitched into the seventh inning.