MLB *DOG OF THE DAY*
(MLB) Kansas City vs. Cleveland,
Money Line: 150.00 Kansas City (Away)
Result: Loss
MLB *DOG OF THE DAY*
Play: Kansas City Royals
Rating: 8*

The Kansas City Royals have dropped a pair of one-run games against the Cleveland Indians to open this series. Cleveland eliminated the reigning World Series champions from the AL Central title race last night, but I like the price we get on the Royals to come up with a big game here in the series finale as they're still in the race for a wild card in the American League.

Mike Clevinger (2-2, 4.76) takes the ball for the Tribe. The 25 year old rookie will make his 15th appearance (ninth start) in the big leagues, and he's been thrown back into the rotation only because of injuries on Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar. I don't trust him to contain the Royals revengeful bats tonight. We can note that the Indians are 2-5 in Clevinger's last seven starts.

The Royals will hand the ball to Jason Vargas (0-0, 3.00) who had Tommy John surgery about 14 months ago. He returned on Saturday vs. the White Sox and lasted three innings, allowing a run and two hits with a strikeout and walk. While he might not go much deeper in this game, keep in mind that he'll be backed up by a solid bullpen.

The Tribe will win this game more than 50 percent of the time, but at this price we simply have to take a shot at the Royals.