KANSAS CITY ROYALS -125 - The young Royals are off to a 3-0 start, thanks to what has been a lethal offense that produced 20 runs in their 3-game sweep of the White Sox. Kansas City has a team batting average of .293 to this point, including .314 vs. right-handers. While they probably won?t average 6.7 runs per game for the whole year, the Royals do have a nice nucleus of Sweeney, Beltran, and Ibanez, all of them very capable Major League hitters. Tonight?s starter George has given Cleveland trouble in his 2 starts against them. This young southpaw has held the Indians to a total of 2 runs and 6 hits in 10 innings of work against them. He is backed up by a bullpen that has done a commendable job so far, allowing 4 runs in 10.1 innings with an excellent group ratio of 1.16. Cleveland?s starter Davis also looked good in his 2 starts after his September call-up last season. However, he will not have the same offensive support as George, as the Indians have an anemic .214 team batting average. This blend of youngsters has no bona fide sluggers outside of the elder statesman, Ellis Burks, and I just don?t see them generating much tonight vs. a southpaw that has proven he can handle them.
