(21-37) at 
(34-21)
Tuesday, June 5---------------- 7:05pm
Jorge De La Rosa, LHP (4-5, 4.97) vs C.C. Sabathia, LHP (8-1, 3.78 )
Scouting Report:
Royals: De La Rosa has encountered trouble in his last two starts. Against the Indians, his newly-developed knack of throwing strikes deserted him. Seven walks led to a short nine-run outing. Then, against the Orioles, he was charged with five runs in five-plus innings. His ERA rose to just under 5.00, the highest it has been this season. At least his control improved (three walks) and that's essential for him. In previous years, he had great stuff but lack of command was his downfall.
Indians: The Indians like to keep their ace consistently pitching on four days' rest, so they'll probably reshuffle their rotation coming out of Monday's off-day and give the ball to Sabathia in the opener of a three-game set against the Royals. Sabathia is 11-6 with a 3.34 ERA in 23 career starts against the Royals. He went 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts against them last season.
Wednesday, June 6-------------- 7:05pm
Brian Bannister, RHP (1-3, 3.89) vs Paul Byrd, RHP (6-1, 3.57)
Scouting Report:
Royals: Bannister enjoyed the longest outing of his Major League career Friday night against the Devil Rays, tossing eight innings of one-run ball. Mainly using a fastball, he permitted just two hits and faced one over the minimum. Bannister also struck out a career-high six. He was his usual self, moving the ball around and pitching smart. Bannister doesn't have overpowering stuff, but his fastball has nice tailing movement and he is very smart on the mound.
Indians: Byrd's drastic improvement this season is evidenced by the fact that he's won each of his last four starts. He's shown much better command of the strike zone this year over last. He hasn't walked a batter in a whopping 43 innings of work. In his last start against the Red Sox on May 30, he gave up just two runs on nine hits with a strikeout in six-plus innings. But for the second outing in a row, he ran into some trouble when facing a lineup for the third time through. He gave up three singles to open the seventh and was relieved with the bases loaded.
Thursday, June 7------------------- 12:05pm
Odalis Perez, LHP (3-5, 5.74) vs Fausto Carmona, RHP (6-1, 3.29)
Scouting Report:
Royals: Perez was his usual self Saturday night, allowing four runs in five-plus innings against the Devil Rays at Tropicana Field. The left-hander had good control, permitting one walk and one homer against five strikeouts, but allowed two rallies -- in the third and sixth innings. His 5.74 ERA masks a strong season: like Saturday, he wasn't great, but he was effective, and, most importantly, gave his team a chance to win. In one start this season as Perez worked fewer than five innings or permitted more than four runs.
Indians: Carmona wasn't quite as sharp against the Tigers on Friday as he has been for much of this season. He gave up five runs on 10 hits with no walks and five strikeouts in just six innings of work. True to his sinker-throwing roots, Carmona only recorded one fly ball out. He was able to leave with a no-decision because the offense rallied behind him. In his last meeting with the Royals, Carmona gave up three runs on nine hits over six innings in a no-decision on May 22.
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/p ... p?c_id=cle
