An Indians/Royals series has mattered little over the past few seasons, but the first clash of the season between the two squads this year actually carries some weight. The two beleaguered franchises currently sit first and second in the AL Central standings and they are two of the six major league teams that own double digit wins. Cleveland and Kansas City will meet tonight in game one of a four game set at Kauffman Stadium; first pitch is scheduled for 8:10pm ET. MLB Odds have the Indians listed as a slight -115 moneyline favorite and the Over 9 favored at -115 odds.
Cleveland improved its record to an American League best 11-4 yesterday after finishing off a sweep of the Baltimore 
Orioles at Progressive Field. The Indians won the finale 4-2 to give them a one game lead over Kansas City in the American League Central standings.
The win was big for Cleveland on several fronts as Fausto Carmona earned his third straight quality start since getting bombed for 11 hits and 10 earned runs on Opening Day. It also saw the return of center fielder Grady Sizemore, who went 2-for-4 with a home run.
Take away Carmona's horrific season opener against the White Sox and the Indians starting rotation has been nearly flawless. The Tribe has allowed just 25 earned runs in 93.2 innings since that outing for a 2.41 ERA.
Kansas City fell to 10-5 yesterday afternoon as the Mariners stole the finale of a four game set at Kauffman Stadium, 3-2. The loss snapped a four game win streak for the Royals, but it did not prevent them from winning their third series of the young season. In fact, Ned Yost's squad has yet to lose a series beating the Angels, Tigers, and Mariners while spilitting two game sets with the White Sox and Twins.
KC's pitching staff has been respectable, putting together a 3.70 ERA, but the Royals great start has been fueled primarily by the team's hot bats. Kansas City ranks fourth in the league in runs scored (82), third in hits (148), sixth in batting average (.275), and seventh in on-base percentage (.341).
Cleveland, which has won five of its last seven against Kansas City, will send right hander Carlos Carrasco to the hill today. Carrasco is 1-1 with a 5.13 ERA, but he has allowed just four earned runs in his last 13 innings of work. The Royals will counter Carrasco with the struggling Kyle Davies. Davies, who is 1-1 in three starts this season with a 9.00 ERA, is 3-5 with a 5.80 ERA in nine career appearances against the Indians.
Indians vs Royals Odds 2011 MLB Predictions:
Cleveland Indians -1.5 (+145), Over 9 (-115), -115 (Moneyline)
Kansas City Royals +1.5 (-165), Under 9 (-105), -105 (Moneyline)
