Could Tuesday be Young's last start for Royals before move to pen?
The Kansas City Royals are looking for Johnny Cueto to make an impact in the postseason but his presence will first be felt in the starting rotation.
Chris Young makes his case to remain among the starters Tuesday night when the Royals attempt to send the Cleveland Indians to their longest home losing streak in 40 years.
Kansas City (60-38) has matched the best start in franchise history through 98 games, set in 1976 and equaled four years later. The Royals won their only World Series in 1985 and acquiring Cueto from Cincinnati for a trio of left-handers Sunday makes them a favorite for the championship.
Cueto is scheduled to make his debut Friday at Toronto but his arrival will first alter the rotation with Young (8-6, 3.32 ERA) and Jeremy Guthrie -- Wednesday's scheduled starter for the finale of this three-game set -- the candidates to move to the bullpen.
"We don't have to make (that decision) now," manager Ned Yost told MLB's official website. "And we haven't made it."
Six of Young's seven career relief appearances have come this year, allowing two runs in 12 innings. Guthrie's most recent call from the bullpen came with Colorado in 2012.
"Chris has shown he can do it," Yost said. "Guthrie has never really been put in that position. It all factors in."
Young's latest performance could sway the decision. The right-hander gave up a pair of two-run homers in three innings of a 4-3 loss at St. Louis for his shortest start of the season.
Young has started one of three meetings with Cleveland (45-53) this year, giving up six runs in five innings of a 6-2 loss June 4.
Eric Hosmer has pounded the Indians in 10 games this season, hitting .390 with four homers and 17 RBIs. He matched his season high with four RBIs Monday, connecting for a three-run homer among his three hits in a 9-4 win as Kansas City won for the 15th time in 20 games.
Hosmer is batting .450 in the past 16 games, increasing his season average 28 points to a personal-best .308.
Kendrys Morales doubled on one of his three hits and drove in three runs Monday, giving him seven hits in three games. He's 8 for 19 with eight RBIs in four games at Cleveland this year.
The Indians are facing the possibility of an eight-game home losing streak for the first time since June 1975. They've been outscored 35-9 while losing the first five of this seven-game homestand.
Jason Kipnis expressed his frustration Sunday saying the team's problems stemmed from a lack of accountability.
"That comment had nothing with (manager Terry Francona)," Kipnis said Monday. "Tito is our manager -- he's not a baby sitter."
Trevor Bauer gets the ball and he's 3-5 with a 6.40 ERA over his last eight starts after going 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA in his previous five.
The right-hander is 1-3 with a 9.15 ERA in his last four outings at home.
Bauer (8-7, 4.29) was hammered for six runs and three homers in six-plus innings of Thursday's 8-1 loss to the visiting Chicago White Sox.
"The definition of insanity is you try the same thing over and over and expect different result," Bauer said. "I'm not insane, so clearly there's some adjustments to be made."
He's 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two starts against Kansas City this year, yielding two runs in 6 2/3 innings to win opposite Young on June 4.
