Series Preview: Texas Rangers (79-54) @ Kansas City Royals (60-73)

A lot of people had the Kansas City Royals as a sleeper pick in the American League much like many people had the Washington Nationals in the NL. However, all that has gone right for the Nationals has gone horribly wrong for the Royals. From untimely injuries to bad seasons from key players, they faltered early on and while they have recovered somewhat, they are well behind what was expected from them and their young, emerging team.

The Rangers are coming off another series win, and look to make it two in a row on the road trip before heading to Florida to take on the Rays.

Series at a Glance

Texas Record: 77-53 (1st AL West)
Kansas City Record: 60-73 (3rd AL Central, 12 GB)

Season Series: 3-2 Royals
Rangers Record at Kansas City: 2-1

Notable Transaction: January 18, 1985: As part of a 4-team trade: The Texas Rangers sent a player to be named later and Danny Darwin to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Milwaukee Brewers sent Jim Sundberg to the Kansas City Royals. The New York Mets sent Tim Leary to the Milwaukee Brewers. The Kansas City Royals sent Don Slaught to the Texas Rangers. The Kansas City Royals sent Frank Wills to the New York Mets. The Texas Rangers sent Bill Nance (January 30, 1985) to the Milwaukee Brewers to complete the trade.

4-team trade! That’s notable in itself.

Probable Starters:

Monday 1:10 CDT TEX: RHP Yu Darvish (13-9, 4.31 ERA/3.63 FIP) – KC: LHP Bruce Chen (10-10, 5.13 ERA/4.51 FIP)

Tuesday 7:10 CDT TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (15-8, 3.30 ERA/3.94 FIP) – KC: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (3-3, 3.86 ERA/3.68 FIP)

Wednesday 7:10 CDT TEX: RHP Ryan Dempster (4-1, 4.58 ERA/4.31 FIP) – KC: LHP Will Smith (4-7, 5.45 ERA/4.86 FIP)

Thursday 7:10 CDT TEX: RHP Scott Feldman (6-11, 5.01 ERA/3.78 FIP)- KC: RHP Luke Hochevar (7-13, 5.34 ERA/4.53 FIP)

Projected Royals Lineup
1 RF David Lough (L)
2 SS Alcides Escobar
3 LF Alex Gordon (L)
4 DH Billy Butler
5 C Salvador Perez
6 3B Mike Moustakas (L)
7 CF Lorenzo Cain
8 1B Eric Hosmer (L)
9 2B Tony Abreu (B)

Bench
C Brayan Pena (B)
C Manny Pina
2B Johnny Giavotella
OF Jarrod Dyson (L)
OF Jeff Francoeur

Bullpen
CL RHP Greg Holland
SU RHP Aaron Crow
SU LHP Tim Collins
MID RHP Kelvin Herrera
MID RHP Louis Coleman
MID LHP Francisley Bueno
MID RHP Vin Mazzaro
LR LHP Everett Teaford

(source MLBDepthCharts)

For more information on the Royals see FanSided’s Royals page, Kings of Kauffman.