MLB Picks: April 14th 2012
Cleveland Indians vs. Kansas City Royals
Pick: Cleveland Indians +130
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The Indians took the opener of this series yesterday as the offense erupted for seven runs in the first inning and never looked back. They improved to 2-4 on the season which started with a could extra-inning losses so things could be better as far as the record goes. The offense had been struggling considerably so the fact they were able to bust out is a huge move in the right direction. Cleveland is 11-4 over the last 15 meetings including wins in five of its last six in Kansas City.

The Royals were a sleeper pick on many lists this season to make a possible postseason run and with the extra Wild Card spot, anything is possible although I think they are still a year or two away from contending. Kansas City is off to a 3-4 start and its season home opener did not go as planned on Friday. A bounceback will be expected by many here but the Royals offense has been just as anemic as that of the Indians and things will not be easy on Saturday at the plate.

The Indians send Jeanmar Gomez to the hill for his season opener after he won the fifth spot in the rotation over Kevin Slowey. He was supposed to start Monday but a rainout pushed his start back to today. After a slow start last year he came on strong in August and September before getting hit hard in his season finale. The posted a 1.37 ERA in six spring starts so getting the fifth spot was well deserved. Gomez has a 3.76 ERA in five starts against the Royals, allowing two runs or less in four of those.

The Royals counter with Jonathan Sanchez who pitched well in his season opener against the Angels but it was nothing spectacular. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks in five innings and was able to pick up a win in the process. Last year with the Giants he posted a 4.26 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in just 19 starts and those numbers were more in line with his career log. He had a very strong season in 2010 but prior to that he never had an ERA better than 4.24 so he is a very average pitcher. 3* (977) Cleveland Indians -Matt Fargo