This will be the only visit the Royals make to Angels Stadium against Los Angeles and Mike Trout. Photo Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Series Preview –

KC comes to the big A having lost six of their last seven games, after getting to 17-10 on the season. The Angels are coming off a series win on the Southside of Chicago but are 3-3 in their last six games.

Probable Pitching Matchups –

Monday, May 13 (9:05 pm): Luis Mendoza (0-2, 6.38) v. Joe Blanton (0-6, 5.66)
- Mendoza is making just his fifth start of the season tonight in Anaheim
- This is the Dozers first start against LA as a Royal but his career record against the Halos is 0-1 in three starts
Tuesday, May 14 (9:05 pm): Jeremy Guthrie (5-0, 2.28) v. Jason Vargas (1-3, 4.11)
- Guthrie looks to continue his club-record 18 game unbeaten streak
- His 2.28 ERA is seventh as of Monday in the American League
Wednesday, May 15 (9:05 pm): Wade Davis (2-3, 5.86) v. TBA
- Davis suffered a 11-6 defeat Friday night against the Yankees going just five innings
- After starting 2-0 he’s lost three of his last four starts with a no-decision mixed in

2012 Results –

In 2012 the Royals were 4-5 against the Angeles but were 3-3 in Anaheim which included taking the opening series. Los Angeles outscored Kansas City by the narrow margin of 44-39 last season in the nine games played.

TV/Radio –

All three games are on Fox Sports Kansas City with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler on the call with Joel Goldberg hosting the pre and post game. On 610 Sports Radio will be Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart.

2013 Schedule v. Angels –

May 13-15, Angels Stadium
May 23-26, Kauffman Stadium

Kansas City (65-78) returns home after a successful 4-2 road trip trough division leading Chicago and cellar dweller Minnesota. The Royals haven’t seen the Angels (78-66) since July when Los Angeles took two-of-three games in that series. For the season series the teams are tied three games apiece, so this weekend will decide the winner between KC and LA.

With the Los Angeles Angels coming to town over the weekend the Royals will get a second chance to see Zack Greinke in 2012. Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-US PRESSWIRE

When Kansas City visited Anaheim July 23-25, Greg Holland suffered the opening night loss allowing three runs in 2/3^rd of an inning. Game two Will Smith threw seven innings allowing one run on just two hits and was backed by a Lorenzo Cain two-RBI night. In the final LA won 11-6 but that game will be remembered by Luke Hochevar getting thrown batters into the fourth inning.

We conducted a Q&A with Jason Evans who is the editor over at Halo Hangout to see what’s up with the Angels.

Kings of Kauffman – Royals fans will get their second look at Zack Greinke this weekend at the K (first as a Brewer in June), what have Angel fans thought of him so far?

Jason Evans – Zack’s start wasn’t the best with the Angels, however he’s come back and become a real stabilizing factor in their rotation. He’s going to need to stay on this roll if they have any shot at a playoff spot

KOK – Los Angeles have had a rollarcoaster season so far any predictions on how it ends?

JE – My opinion on that really changes by the day. They’ve been so inconsistent that at this point, I’m not sure if they make it.

KOK – Albert Pujols is another guy that Royals fans know well and has rebounded well since his slow start, what has his value been to the team this season or has it been lost behind Trout/Trumbo?

JE – I think everyone’s expectations for Pujols were too high. He was going to need to make adjustments in a new league. He’s probably having the quietest 30 home run year he ever has.

KOK – Speaking of Trout, Royals fans got a taste at the All-Star Game in July at the K, do you think he’ll sweep AL Rookie and MVP honors?

JE – I think Trout had rookie of the year locked up in June. MVP probably depends on whether they make the playoffs or not. I think it’s still TBD.

Here is the other half of the conversation that took place at Halo Hangout with Jason

Probable Starters this week (All Times Central) –

Friday 7:10 pm, C.J. Wilson (12-9, 3.69) v. Bruce Chen (10-12, 5.36)

Saturday 7:10 pm, Zack Greinke (5-2, 4.15)* v. Jeremy Guthrie (4-3, 3.23)*

Sunday 1:10 pm, Dan Haren (10-11, 4.45) v. Will Smith (5-7, 4.94)

* = Stats since joining Angels/Royals

Will Hosmer have another series like he did last time the Royals played the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim? Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

When Last We Saw …

KC and LAA haven’t seen each other since the first week of the season when the Royals took two-of-three against the Angels. Los Angeles won the opening game before Kansas City took the next two, my how things have changed during the year for both franchises during the season.

Season Series …

In the season opener LA won 5-0 in a well pitched game from Bruce Chen but it was Jared Weaver who got the win as Aaron Crow took the loss. Erick Aybar hurt the boys in blue driving in three runs during the five run eighth which was the difference in game one.

The next day Kansas City touched up Dan Haren en route to a 6-3 victory evening up the series. Jeff Francoeur went 2-for-4 driving in two, Eric Hosmer batting in the third spot was 2-for-5 which he scored twice with an RBI. Not to be forgotten Luke Hochevar went 6 1/3 innings allowing two runs with four strikeouts.

Easter was the last time these teams played with the Royals beating the Angels 7-3 moving to 2-1. KC struck Ervin Santana for three runs in the highlighted by Billy Butler hitting a two-run homer that brought in Hosmer. Country Breakfast and Hos combined for six of the seven runs Kansas City scored, Jonathan Sanchez picked up the win to show how long ago this was.

4/6 – Royals 0 @ Angels 5
4/7 – Royals 6 @ Angels 3
4/8 – Royals 7 @ Angels 3

Probable Pitching Match-Ups (All Times Central):     

Friday, 9:05 pm – Bruce Chen (7-8, 5.57) v. C.J. Wilson (9-6, 2.82)
- Chen has two no-decisions in his last two starts for the Royals
- In his last start against the Mariners he left the game after 5 1/3 innings when Ned Yost might of left him in too long. Chen struckout six, allowing four runs on seven hits.
- Wilson who came over from the Rangers in the offseason will be facing the Royals for the first time this season. In his career he’s 3-0 with a 2.34 ERA against Kansas City in 13 career appearances.
Saturday, 9:05 pm – Will Smith (1-3, 7.97) v. Garrett Richards (3-1, 3.53)
- Smith who was drafted by the Angels in the seventh round of the 2008 draft will face his original team for the first time.
- Last week against the M’s he went 6 1/3 innings taking the loss giving up four runs on eight hits. He did strike out five walking just two Seattle hitters.
- Richards three wins have come against the Mariners, Diamondbacks and most recently the Tigers last week in Detroit. He went seven innings allowing three hits, striking out two with four walks.
Sunday, 2:25 pm – Luke Hochevar (6-8, 4.91) v. Jered Weaver (10-1, 2.20)
- Hochevar like Chen has no-decisions in his last two starts but the impressive stat is how he’s gone at least five innings in each of his last eight starts.
- Luke went seven innings against Minnesota on Friday night which the Royals lost 2-1 in 11 innings but struck out six without a walk allowing just a run.
- Weaver was masterful on Opening Night against KC and his only loss came on May 13 at Texas. Like Hochevar he went seven innings on Friday but picked up his 10^th win against the Rangers in Anaheim.