Cleveland Indians

KANSAS CITY -- Here is the preview and pitching matchups for the Indians' series against the Royals.

Where/when: Kauffman Stadium, Thursday through Sunday.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the series.

Pitching matchups and starting times: RHP Josh Tomlin (2-5, 6.44) vs. RHP Glenn Sparkman (0-3, 4.86) Thursday at 8:15 p.m.; RHP Mike Clevinger (12-8, 3.07) vs. RHP Ian Kennedy (3-8, 4.59) Friday at 8:18 p.m.; RHP Corey Kluber (20-7, 2.83) vs. RHP Jakob Junis (8-12, 4.42) Saturday at 7:15 p.m. and RHP Carlos Carrasco (16-10, 3.42) vs. LHP Eric Skogland (1-5, 5.40) Sunday at 3:15 p.m.

Series: The Indians lead the Royals, 10-5, this year. Overall, the Indians lead the series, 368-333.

Hot pitchers: Kluber, who won his 20th game on Monday, is 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA against the Royals this year. Willy Peralta is 14-for-14 with a 1.26 ERA in save situations this year for the Royals.

Hot hitters: Yonder Alonso is hitting .387 (12-for-31) with four RBI in his last nine games for the Indians. Rookie Ryan O'Hearn is hitting .421 (8-for-19) with three homers and eight RBI against the Indians this season.

Team updates: The Indians have won six of their last 10 games against the Royals. They are 46-25 in the AL Central and 11-12 in September headed into Wednesday night's game against the White Sox. The Royals have lost six of their last 10 games overall and have been outscored by the Indians this season, 80-53. Whit Merrifield took a 15-game hitting streak into Wednesday night's game against the Reds. He's stolen 22 bases since the All-Star break.

Disabled list: Indians -OF Leonys Martin (illness), CF Tyler Naquin (right hip), OF Lonnie Chisenhall (left calf), RHP Nick Goody (right elbow), RHP Danny Salazar (right shoulder) and RHP Cody Anderson (right elbow) are on the disabled list.

Royals: 3B Cheslor Cuthbert (back), LHP Danny Duffy (left shoulder), RHP Jesse Hahn (right elbow), RHP Nate Karns (right shoulder), OF Jorge Soler (left shoulder) are on the disabled list.

Next: The Indians will open the best-of-five ALDS on Oct. 5 against Houston as Minute Maid Park.