Series Preview: Texas Rangers (61-43) @ Kansas City Royals (44-60)

Following two of the most interesting games of the season, the Rangers go from rival Los Angeles to… Kansas City. The Royals swept the Rangers in Arlington earlier this season, so this may be an opportunity for the Rangers to get payback as the Royals are on the wrong end of a streaky season that sees them in last place in the AL Central.

For the Rangers, you could argue their two most consistent starters the last month are going this series in Matt Harrison and Scott Feldman. Feldman has been outstanding in his last three starts and that is what the Rangers need from him going forward.

Series at a Glance

Texas Record: 61-43 (1st AL West)
Kansas City Record: 44-60 (5th AL Central, 13 GB)

Season Series: 2-0 Kansas City
Record at Kansas City: 0-0

Notable Transactions: July 25, 1997: The Kansas City Royals traded Tom Goodwin to the Texas Rangers for Dean Palmer.

(Yeah, I know. This was a stretch.)

Probable Starters:

Friday 7:10 CDT TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (12-6, 3.19 ERA/3.77 FIP) – KC: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (3-11, 6.68 ERA/6.37 FIP — with Colorado and KC)

Saturday 5:10 CDT TEX: RHP Scott Feldman (5-6, 4.76 ERA/4.09 FIP) – KC: LHP Will Smith (2-3, 5.94 ERA/5.58 FIP)

Sunday 1:10 CDT TEX: LHP Derek Holland (7-6, 4.96 ERA/4.99 FIP) – KC: RHP Luke Hochevar (7-9, 5.22 ERA/4.15 FIP)

Projected Royals Lineup
1 LF Alex Gordon (L)
2 SS Alcides Escobar
3 RF Lorenzo Cain
4 DH Billy Butler
5 3B Mike Moustakas (L)
6 C Salvador Perez
7 1B Eric Hosmer (L)
8 2B Chris Getz (L) vs RHP
9 CF Jarrod Dyson (L)

Bench
C Brayan Pena (B)
IF Yuniesky Betancourt vs LHP
OF Jeff Francoeur

Bullpen
CL RHP Greg Holland
SU RHP Aaron Crow
SU LHP Tim Collins
MID RHP Kelvin Herrera
MID LHP Jose Mijares
MID RHP Louis Coleman
MID RHP Jeremy Jeffress
LR LHP Everett Teaford

(source MLBDepthCharts)

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