Royals shift rotation for series against Indians

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals switched right-hander Jeremy Guthrie and left-hander Jason Vargas in the rotation, allowing Guthrie to pitch in Sunday's series finale against the Tigers.

Vargas will start on Tuesday against the Indians.

"I looked at the matchups," manager Ned Yost said. "Both of them I felt would be good, but [Detroit] is a predominantly right-handed team and Cleveland is a predominantly left-handed team.

"It worked out fine because this is Guthrie's regular day -- just kind of a better matchup pitching-wise for us."

Guthrie had an 8.44 ERA against the Indians last season. Vargas had a 6.18 ERA vs. the Tigers.

"You put Guthrie in there [against] Cleveland and they're going to put eight lefties against him," Yost said.

After Vargas, the Royals will go with left-hander Danny Duffy and right-hander Edinson Volquez to finish out the Indians series.

Right-hander Yordano Ventura will start on Friday night against Detroit when he is eligible after serving his seven-game suspension.