Series Preview: Royals (70-56) at Rangers (49-77)

Two cities and a 4-2 record later the Royals road trip beings the finale leg in Arlington against the Texas Rangers. Most importantly Kansas City still holds a 1.5 game lead over Detroit in the AL Central standings and are playing another last place foe.

Kansas City will get their first look at Adrian Beltre and his Texas Rangers this weekend of 2014. Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Probably Pitching Match-ups:
Friday, 7:05 pm – Yordano Ventura/RHP (9-9, 3.48) v. Colby Lewis/RHP (8-10, 5.52)
Saturday, 7:05 pm – Jeremy Guthrie/RHP (9-10, 4.48) v. Nick Tepesch/RHP (4-7, 4.15)
Sunday, 2:05 pm – Jason Vargas/LHP (10-5, 3.17) v. TBA

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – It’s late August and KC is heading to Arlington with the benefit of two night games which hopefully helps. After two games at Coors Field they travel to Globe Life Park which can play similar. Friday it’ll be Ventura against Lewis with Guthrie and KC native/Missouri alumni Tepesch Saturday with Vargas facing TBA Sunday. On paper the match-ups seem to favor the Royals but I do worry about the middle game between these teams.

Series Predictions – Texas has struggled this season which shows by them currently taking up residence in the AL West basement. There’s something that worries me about this series and for that hunch I think that a sweep won’t happen but another series win will be had. PREDICTION: Royals take two of three.

2013 Meeting:
Last season the teams split six games against one another with Texas taking two of three in Arlington and Kansas City winning two of three at the K. The Royals were 2-0 in extra innings last season versus the Rangers and Greg Holland picked up two saves.

Franchise History:
KC holds an all-time record of 246 and 242 since the Rangers moved from Washington D.C. to Arlington. Texas holds an advantage of 131-108 in the Lone Star State against the boys in blue which includes a 54-34 advantage at Globe Life Park.

TV/Radio Coverage:
Fans can tune into FOX Sports Kansas City for both games with Ryan Lefebvre  and Rex Hudler on TV. Joel Goldberg hosts Royals Live with Josh Vernier reporting from the clubhouse. Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews is joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart will be on the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports Radio in KC) describing the action from Coors Field.

AL Central Standings (August 22):
Kansas City Royals (70-56, – GB)
Detroit Tigers (68-57, 1.5 GB)
Cleveland Indians (64-62, 6 GB)
Chicago White Sox (59-68, 11.5 GB)
Minnesota Twins (56-70, 14 GB)

Series Schedule/Results v. Rangers
August 22-24, 2014 – Globe Life Park
September 1-3, 2014 – Kauffman Stadium

Game Notes:
Texas Rangers
Kansas City Royals