Royals at Cardinals – I-70 Series Game Three and Four Preview

This series is truly the tail of two cities as Kansas City has been struggling as of late while St. Louis boasts the best record in Major League Baseball. After hosting the first two games of the annual I-70 Series at Kauffman Stadium the four game series shifts east to St. Louis the next two games at Busch Stadium.

May 28, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler (16) smiles on second base after getting his 1000th career hit in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Series Preview/Recap –

Kansas City heads to the road after a 0-6 homestand against the Angels and Cardinals this past week. After a pair of three run losses in the first two games of this series against the Redbirds they’ll conclude the series in St. Louis.

Monday – St. Louis 6 Kansas City 3: W Adam Wainwright (7-3) S Edward Mujica (15) L James Shields (2-6)
St. Louis jumped out quickly lead on Memorial Day when Yadier Molina tagged James Shields for a 2-run homer in the first inning. The Royals got one back in the first when Alex Gordon single scored David Lough cutting the deficit in half. Molina again jump started the offense in the third as he started another two run inning making it 4-1.

Kansas City again responded with getting two runs Gordon scored on a wildpitch from Adam Weinwright scored which was followed up by Billy Butler scoring on a single from Eric Hosmer making it 4-3 Cardinals. That would be all the offense the team would get as the St. Louis bullpen shut the door on KC.

Tuesday – St. Louis 4 Kansas City 1: W Tyler Lyons (2-0) S Edward Mujica (16) L Ervin Santana (3-5)
Just like Monday the Cardinals tagged the Royals starter with an early 2-run homer but this time it was ex-Royal Carlos Beltran doing the damage off Ervin Santana. Gordon hitting leadoff again reached on a four pitch walk with two outs Butler delivered a double scoring Alex which was Country Breakfast 1,000 career hit.

That would be the only run Kansas City scored and on one of two hits for the night against Tyler Lyon who baffled the Royals all night. One positive was the defense which did turn a couple crucial double plays to keep the Cardinals offense at bay but the early deficit was too much.

Probable Pitching Matchups –

Wednesday, May 29 (7:15 pm): Luis Mendoza (1-2, 5.05) v. Lance Lynn (7-1, 2.95)
– In his last start Mendoza exited with a 2-1 lead which KC couldn’t keep for him
– Last season the Dozer took a no decision in the 15-inning marathon at St. Louis won by the Royals, he loss six days later at the K against the Cardinals
Thursday, May 30 (7:15 pm): Jeremy Guthrie (5-3, 3.91) v. Michael Wacha (M.L. Debut)
– Guthrie went 7.1 innings against the Angels taking the defeat
– After posting a club record 18 straight starts without a loss he’s lost his last three decisions

2013 Results –

Last season Kansas City went 2-4 in six games against St. Louis, winning two-of-three at Busch but losing the series at the K 2-1. The dramatic moment of last years I-70 series came on June 17 when the Royals won 5-3 in 15 innings highlighted by Billy Butler and Yuniesky Betancourt homeruns in extra innings.

TV/Radio –

All four games are on Fox Sports Kansas City with Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler with Joel Goldberg handling in-game reports plus the pre/postgame show and will be joined by Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery. On 610 Sports Radio with be the voice of the Royals Denny Matthews, Ryan Lefebvre and Steve Stewart.

2013 Schedule v. Cardinals – STL 2-0

May 27-28, Kauffman Stadium: St. Louis wins the first two games 6-3 and 4-1
May 29-30, Busch Stadium

Game Notes –

Kansas City
St. Louis