Series Preview – Rangers (83-69) @ Royals (80-72)

Tonight the Royals (80-72) welcome the Rangers (83-69) to Kauffman Stadium, whom Kansas City trails in the Wildcard standings. The boys in blue have a chance to take matters into their own hands instead of relying on others for help.

Ervin Santana gets the start tonight at Kauffman Stadium against Texas. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Series Preview –

Kansas City took two of three over Cleveland this week to begin the final homestand before closing out the home portion with Texas this weekend. The Rangers come to town after split a four game series with Tampa Bay which they alternated wins and losses.

Franchise Series History –

These two teams played May 31-June 2 in Arlington which Texas took two of three against the Royals. That makes the all-time series Kansas City 244-241 which includes a 136-110 advantage in the City of Fountains and 131-106 at Kauffman Stadium.

Probable Pitching Matchups –

Friday, September 20 (7:10 pm): Martin Perez (9-5, 3.64) v. Ervin Santana (9-9, 3.64)
– Ervin has a 3.01 ERA since the All-Star Game
– Against Texas the “Magic Man” is 13-11 in 28 starts with a 5.79 ERA
Saturday, September 21 (6:10 pm): Matt Garza (9-6, 4.06 AL/NL) v. Jeremy Guthrie (14-11, 4.08)
– KC has 18 wins when Guthrie has started this season
– Like Santana, Jeremy has a winning record against the Rangers going 4-3 with a 3.77 ERA in 14 games with 11 starts
Sunday, September 22 (1:10 pm): Alexi Ogando (7-4, 3.15) v. James Shields (12-9, 3.33)
– “Big Game” James took a no-decision June 1 in Arlington a game which KC won 4-1, he went seven innings allowing just one run striking out five
– Shields has won four of his last five starts and is 7-2 with a no-decision in his last 10

2013 Results –                            

These teams last met on June 2 which the Rangers narrowly took the series winning games one and two 6-2/3-1 while KC took the middle game 4-1 in ten innings. Wade Davis was defeated by Derek Holland in the opener 6-2. Shields who was great in the game didn’t get any run support but the Royals pulled it out in ten innings 4-1. In the finale the Kansas City tied the game in the eighth inning before Texas put two runs up pulling off the 3-1 victory.

TV/Radio –

Fox Sports Kansas City has Friday and Saturday’s games with MLB carrying Saturday night’s game with Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler handling TV duties for FSKC. For the two games carried Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery host Royals Live before and after the game. All three games can be heard on the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports/KCSP in Kansas City) led by Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews being joined in the booth by Ryan Lefebvre and Steve Stewart.

2013 Schedule/Results v. Rangers – Series Tied 2-1

May 31- June 2, Rangers Ballpark – Texas won series two games to one
September 20-22, Kauffman Stadium –

Current AL Central and Wildcard Standings for September 20 –

GB = Games Back

AL Central: Detroit (89-64), Cleveland (83-70/6 GB), Kansas City (80-72/8.5 GB), Minnesota (65-87/23.5 GB), Chicago (60-92/28.5 GB)

Wildcard Standings (Top 2 make playoffs): Rangers (83-69, -), Rays (83-69, .5), Indians (83-70, .5 GB), Orioles (81-71, 2 GB), Royals (80-72, 3 GB), Yankees (80-73, 3.5 GB)

Game Notes –

Texas

Ervin Santana gets the start tonight at Kauffman Stadium against Texas. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

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