Series Preview – Royals (82-73) @Mariners (68-88)

After yesterday’s thrilling conclusion to the Rangers series/home schedule the Kansas City Royals (82-73) head out west to begin their final road trip of the season. KC is in Seattle (68-88) the next three games trying to stay alive in the Hunt for Blue October but again the margin of error is slim with the tragic number at four.

Yordano Ventura makes his first road start tonight in Seattle against the Mariners. Photo Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Series Preview –

These teams just saw one another September 2-5 at the K but in the last week Kansas City went 4-2 against Cleveland and Texas to finish the home portion of their schedule. Seattle has gone 2-5 over the last week losing three of four in Detroit then two of three in Anaheim against the Angels over the weekend.

Franchise Series History –

The Royals lead the all-time series 214-196 against the Mariners but in Seattle, KC is just 95-104 in addition to being 21-35 at Safeco Field.

Probable Pitching Matchups –

Monday, September 23 (9:10 pm): Yordano Ventura (0-0, 1.59) v. Brandon Maurer (4-8, 6.95)
– The 22 year old from the Dominican Republic makes his second MLB start after a no-decision last week
– Against Cleveland last Tuesday he went 5.2 innings, allowed five hits, one run and struck out three
Tuesday, September 24 (9:10 pm): Bruce Chen (8-3, 3.13) v. James Paxton (2-0, 2.12)
– Bruce went five innings last week to pick up win number eight against Cleveland
– In his career against the M’s he’s 4-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 14 appearances with 10 starts
Wednesday, September 25 (9:10 pm): Ervin Santana (9-9, 3.16) v. Hisashi Iwakuma (13-6, 2.76)
– Santana threw 7.1 innings Friday against Texas picking up a no-decision, KC did win the game 2-1
– Against Seattle on September 4 Ervin received a ND going just 3.1 innings allowing four runs on seven hits

2013 Results –                            

As mentioned these two teams met just over two weeks ago in the City of Fountains with the boys in blue taking three of four. KC took the opener 3-1 with Will Smith picking up the win on Labor Day in a dominating relief appearance. Game two went the way of the Royals winning 4-3 with Luke Hochevar picking up another win out of the bullpen. Seattle took game three coming back for a 6-4 win with Aaron Crow suffering the loss. In the series finale Kansas City won 7-6 in 13 innings Louis Coleman earned the win when Mike Moustakas blasted the walkoff homerun.

TV/Radio –

Fox Sports Kansas City has all three games from Safeco Field and then four from Chicago later in the week. Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler will bring you the action on FSKC from Seattle with Joel Goldberg hosting 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 Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart

2013 Schedule/Results v. Mariners – KC Leads Season Series 3-1

September 2-5, Kauffman Stadium – Kansas City took three of four games
September 23-25, Safeco Field –

Current AL Central and Wildcard Standings for September 23 –

GB = Games Back

AL Central: Detroit (91-65), Cleveland (86-70/5 GB), Kansas City (82-73/8.5 GB), Minnesota (65-90/25.5 GB), Chicago (61-94/29.5 GB)

Wildcard Standings (Top 2 make playoffs): Rays (86-69, +.5), Indians (86-70, -), Rangers (84-71, 1.5 GB), Royals (82-73, 3.5 GB), Yankees (82-74, 4 GB), Orioles (81-74, 4.5)

Game Notes –

Seattle
Kansas City