Friday, July 25, 2014, 8:10 PM on STOh, FSKC

Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Cleveland Indians - Tomlin, J (5-7) vs. Kansas City Royals - Ventura, Y (7-8)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Friday night, Josh Tomlin gets the nod for the Cleveland Indians as they face Yordano Ventura and the Kansas City Royals. Tomlin makes his 14^th start and 15^th appearance as Ventura makes his 19^th start and 20^th appearance.

Josh Tomlin was defeated in his last start and that dropped his record to 5 - 7 with a 4.43 ERA. In the loss, Tomlin allowed 4 runs and 6 hits (including a homer) in 4.1 innings. He walked a batter and struck out 3. Tomlin has gone 2 - 5 in his last 8 starts and it doesn't look like there will be any improvement in his numbers any time soon. In 2013, Tomlin only made 1 appearance after recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2012.

Tomlin made his last start against the Royals earlier this month and he didn't fare well against Kansas City. In the loss, Tomlin gave up 5 runs and 10 hits (including a home run) in 5.2 innings.

Yordano Ventura saw his record fall to 7 - 8 with a 3.59 ERA after losing his last start. In that outing, Ventura gave up 6 runs and 9 hits (including a home run) in just 4.1 innings of work. He walked 4 batters but didn't strike out a single one. Ventura can't seem to strike out hitters as well as he did to start the season. Last season, Ventura was just 0 - 1 with a 3.52 ERA in 3 starts.

In 2013, Ventura pitched to a no-decision in his only start against the Indians. This season, he is 2 - 0 against the Tribe in 2 starts.

Cleveland Indians Betting Trends

Cleveland Indians are 51-46-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Cleveland Indians is 0.1

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 45-49-5 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Kansas City Royals is 0

Injuries to Watch

Cleveland Indians

07/23/14 SS Asdrubal Cabrera Back questionable
07/08/14 P Justin Masterson Knee 15-day DL (7/7)
07/06/14 CF Michael Bourn Hamstring 15-day DL (7/6)
06/12/14 1B Jason Giambi Knee 60-day DL (6/12)
05/15/14 RF Nyjer Morgan Knee 60-day DL (5/14)

Kansas City Royals

07/23/14 1B Eric Hosmer Hand questionable
07/09/14 P Jason Vargas Appendix 15-day DL (7/9)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Guy's Pick: Take Kansas City

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn