Series Preview: Royals (16-17) at Mariners (17-16)

Late night baseball on the west coast continues, as the Royals (16-17) go from Southern California up to the Pacific Northwest to face the Mariners (17-16). After losing in 12-innings to start their series in San Diego, Kansas City responded winning in 11 and then shutting out the Padres to take two of three.

Kansas City will get their first look at new Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano while making their lone trip to Seattle. Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Probably Pitching Match-ups:
Thursday, 9:10 pm – Danny Duffy/LHP (1-2, 2.19) v. Hisashi Iwakuma/RHP (1-0, 5.40)
Friday, 9:10 pm – Jason Vargas/LHP (2-1, 3.50) v. Brandon Maurer/RHP (1-0, 6.92)
Saturday, 8:10 pm – Yordano Ventura/RHP (2-1, 2.00) v. Chris Young/RHP (2-0, 3.03)
Sunday, 3:10 pm – Jeremy Guthrie/RHP (2-2, 3.91) v. Roenis Elias/LHP (3-2, 3.27)

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – Duffy gets his second straight start in the rotation with Bruce Chen still out of action. Vargas faces his former team the M’s on Friday night. Ventura who pitched well enough to win Monday night, returns to where he made his second start for the boys in blue. Guthrie who gave KC eight strong innings Tuesday night closes this series out. Iwakuma picked up a win versus KC last season, where this will be the teams first time facing the other starters.

2013 Meetings:
A season ago KC won the season series 4-3 but lost two of three in Seattle against the M’s. The Royals won the opener 6-5 in 12-innings before losing 4-0 and 6-0 against the Mariners, not scoring in the next 18-innings at Safeco.

Franchise History:
Kansas City leads the all-time series 215-198 but is just 96-106 in Seattle. They’re 23-37 at Safeco Field which includes going 1-2 last season as mentioned.

TV/Radio Coverage:
Fans can tune into FOX Sports Kansas City for two of the three games with Ryan Lefebvre  and Rex Hudler on TV. Joel Goldberg hosts Royals Live before and after from Seattle. Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart will be on the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports Radio in KC) describing the action from the Emerald City.

AL Central Standings (May 8):
Detroit Tigers (19-9)
Chicago White Sox (17-17, 5 GB)
Kansas City Royals (16-17, 5.5 GB)
Minnesota Twins (15-16, 6 GB)
Cleveland Indians (15-19, 7 GB)

Series Schedule/Results v. Mariners
May 8-11, 2014 – Safeco Field
June 20-22, 2014 – Kauffman Stadium

Game Notes:
Seattle Mariners
Kansas City Royals