May 11, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton (32) gets congratulated by shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-US PRESSWIRE

The Royals wrapped up the weekend series in Chi-town with a 9-1 win Sunday to complete a series win.  They now have split or won their last six series and have won 8 of their last 14 after losing 12 in a row in April.  Now they get the daunting task of slowing down one of the best teams in baseball, the Texas Rangers.  Not to mention the best player in the game, Josh Hamilton, just came off one of the greatest weeks a hitter could ever have, including a 5-5 4 homerun game last Tuesday.

The Royals face the Rangers in a short 2 game series in Arlington, Texas.  Bruce Chen and Scott Feldman will be given the nod on Monday to take the mound and open the series.  On Tuesday there has been speculation as to who the Royals will start with most signs pointing toward Vin Mazzaro.  Colby Lewis will be the Rangers starter on Tuesday night.

Feldman, a career .500 pitcher, will be making his second start of the season tomorrow.  He has a 4.35 ERA in 10.1 innings of work on the season.  Feldman is not much of a strike out pitcher and the Royals should be able to put some good at bats together against him.  Colby Lewis is coming off two rough road starts where he allowed 6 runs in each.  While his last two starts are forgettable, he has managed to be stellar at home going 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA.

The main concern I have in the series is how well the Royals can keep the Rangers hitters in line.  I believe Bruce Chen can give us one of his usual starts which will give the Royals a fighting chance.  I’m very skeptical of Mazzaro, but he does have the ability to go 5 innings.  However, it’s also very likely he struggles to go 3 or 4 innings and the Texas lineup does what they do best, and mash.

Before the games get underway there are a few other interesting facts to know.  Ian Kinsler, the second baseman for the Rangers, and Josh Hamilton lead all of Major League Baseball in runs scored.  The Rangers also have one of the best bullpens in all of baseball.  Their bullpen ERA is tops amongst all teams, so it won’t be ideal if the Royals are trailing and have to make any attempt at a comeback against solid relievers like Mike Adams, Koji Uehara, and closer Joe Nathan.

This series is sure going to be an interesting one.  Will Josh Hamilton keep up his torrid hot streak?  Can the Royals starters and bullpen keep the Rangers at bay?  Will the Royals be able to keep pace with the best offense in baseball?  A lot of questions will be answered and we will soon find out how this series will play out.  Hopefully the Royals can, at least, manage a split on the road and head back to Kauffman Stadium on a good note.

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First off, I promised a Greinke article a while back and it hasn’t happened.  The article is still in the works, but it has changed directions a number of times from my original intent.  This morphing has slowed my research and writing process, but the article will get published at some point before the start of the season.  I also mentioned a while back that I was going to write the second installment of my Draft Recall series.  Based on other Royals specific articles I have lined up to write, I’m probably going to move that series over to Call to the Pen when the site is launched.  A third research intensive article I have on my list to write is another edition of Central Processing that will examine what we might expect from the Royals this season, in relation to the AL Central.  I know that makes it sound like a season preview, but it’s not.  Once I get it published it will all make sense.

In the next two weeks I should finish revealing the top-9 Royals prospects in the 2010 KoK rankings.  The profile for prospect number nine should be published tomorrow night if all goes well.  In addition to the prospect profile tomorrow, I should have another edition of From the Fish Pond posted at some point this weekend.  By the time Monday morning rolls around, I hope that five new articles, not counting this one, will be up on the site for your enjoyment.

It is a lofty goal considering I have to head into the office for the entire day on Sunday and my writing time tomorrow will be mostly limited to the evening.  My wife has to work and I will be entertaining my sons during the morning and afternoon hours.

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In addition to linking to some of the recent stories for each of the active MLB sites on our network, I thought I would include “help wanted” notes on the sites where we need help.  If you want to write for a team where we have an opening, please send an email to fansided@gmail.com.

Call to the Pen: Planning and preparation for the launch of our new general MLB site continues on.  We now have five of our seven featured contributors locked, loaded and raring to go as soon as the site is launched.  I’m hoping to get the other two in place in the very near future, but sadly spare time is in short supply right now.  As I mentioned above, the Draft Recall series will be moving from KoK to CttP because the focus of my weekly column will be the draft.

Birds Watcher: Michael W. is our current Baltimore Orioles lead but he needs help and wants to transition to contributor slot.  Therefore, we are looking for a lead writer for this site.  Please contact us at the above email address if you are interested.

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BoSox Injection: Nomar Garciaparra – A Member of the Red Sox Once Again

Chicken Friars: A Quick Scouting Report on Top Prospect Simon Castro

Cubbies Crib: 25 Man Roster Is Beginning to Shape Up

Deep Left Field: RIP Jeremy Sowers’ Career

Frisco Fastball: Giants Running Through Cactus League

Halo Hangout: The Fans Predict Our Playoff Chances

Jays Journal: Bryce Harper with the Jays?

Lasorda’s Lair: We are looking for help to cover the Los Angeles Dodgers for Lasorda’s Lair.

Marlin Maniac: Bullpen regression versus Nolasco regression

Motor City Bengals: Leyland Lays Down the Law

Nolan Writin’: Should the Rangers or will the Rangers keep Ron Washington as their skipper after the 2010 season?

Rayhawk Review: Could Hellickson Land Rotation Spot?

Redbird Rants: Penny, Craig star in St. Louis’ victory over Washington

Reviewing the Brew: Do you love the Milwaukee Brewers?  Do you love to write?  If so, why not contact us about becoming the lead writer on Reviewing the Brew?

Rising Apple: What Should the Mets Do with Ike Davis?

Rox Pile: We are looking for a new lead writer to cover the Colorado Rockies, contact us if interested.

Rum Bunter: Pirates Coach Hates Couches

Sodo Mojo: Another Jarrod Washburn Post

Swingin’ A’s: A’s Analysis – Starting Rotation

Teddy Never Wins: Teddy is lonely.  Teddy needs a lead blogger.  If you are interested in writing about the Washington Nationals please contact us and make Teddy happy in the process.

That Balls Outta Here: It’s a “Joe Blanton, Surprise Whiskey” Friday!

Tomahawk Take: Braves Preseason Review – Troy Glaus Feeling Healthy

Twinkie Talk: About the Joe Nathan Situation

Venom Strikes: Upton Goes Yard Again, Helps Dbacks Win

Yanks Go Yard: Nick Johnson’s back still hurts … from carrying the offense

(Wally Fish is the lead blogger for Kings of Kauffman and FanSided’s MLB Director.  Subscribe to his RSS feed and add him on Twitter to follow him daily.)