Tribe Could Escape the Cellar With Victory Over Royals Tonight

The 2009 Cleveland Indians season has been nothing short of a nightmare so far. Many people in the know had pegged the Tribe to be contenders this year but Eric Wedge's group of men seem to have as many people land on the DL as victories this season. The 2009 campaign could get a little boost of morale for both fans and the franchise tonight. With a victory over the struggling Kansas City Royals, the Indians will escape the basement of the AL East for the first time this season.

The Tribe will have a good chance at a victory tonight as well. Cliff Lee (3-6 2.96) takes the hill for the club and has owned the Royals compiling a 12-5 record against the team. His 12 victories against KC is the most the 2008 Cy Young winner has won against in a single opponent in his career. When you add in the fact that Lee has thrown together an impressive string of starts the odds for a Indians victory gets even greater. The Royals trot out Brian Bannister (4-3 4.97) to the mound for the opening game of the series at Progressive Field.

Here are the other matchups for the 3 game series that kicks off at 7:05 this evening:

Wednesday
Gil Meche, RHP (2-5, 4.08)
Royals (24-32) @ CLE Carl Pavano, RHP (6-4, 4.63)

Thursday
KC Zack Greinke, RHP (8-2, 1.55)
Royals (24-32) @ CLE Jeremy Sowers, LHP (1-3, 5.40)
Indians (25-34)