KC Royals Square Off with Final Playoff Caliber Team in Angels

The great thing about baseball is there’s always another game, last night might’ve left a bad taste in people’s mouth even if it shouldn’t of. While last night ended a long streak let’s be honestly our KC Royals have a big division lead and this happened in August not October.

All that said, the slumping Angels of the State of California come to Kauffman Stadium for a four game series. These teams squared off the first week of this season where that sweep was written off as LA not being healthy and KC fluky.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups:
Thursday, 7:10 pm – Garrett Richards/RHP (11-9, 3.51) v. Jeremy Guthrie/RHP (8-7, 5.84)
Friday, 7:10 pm – Jered Weaver/RHP (4-8, 4.69) v. Danny Duffy/LHP (5-5, 4.19)
Saturday, 6:10 pm – Matt Shoemaker/RHP (5-8, 4.36) v. Johnny Cueto/RHP (8-7, 2.52 w/CIN+KC)
Sunday, 7:08 pm – Hector Santiago/LHP (7-6, 2.87) v. Yordano Ventura/RHP (7-7, 4.97)

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – These starting rotations have each had their fair share of disappointments this season. The difference has been Kansas City has been much more consistent than Los Angeles.

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Game 1: Richards hasn’t been as good as last season, but will have the lowest ERA of the four starters Anaheim will throw. Gurthie is the most polarizing pitcher for fans, he has been both good and bad while clearly being the weakest link in this rotation which says something.
Game 2: Weaver making his second start since returning from the DL, LA won his last start on Sunday which he pitched well. Duffy had a short outing on Sunday before Kris Medlen came in and bailed Duffman out.
Game 3: Shoemaker is another pitcher who’s taken a step back after a good 2014 he’s also been madly inconsistent. Cueto threw his first Royal gem against Detroit on Monday night and you know fans will be buzzing for his next start.
Game 4: Santiago last pitched at the K was in relief of CJ Wilson last October but when he entered it was too late. Ventura while walking a career high he did throw better than he had which hopefully continues in this “prime time” spot.

Series Prediction – Hello Mike Trout and Royals menace Albert Pujols who come to town this week. As we’ve seen since last postseason those are the two pillars of this team. Take them away and Los Angeles is very average as a ballclub. The Angels do feature a pair of ex-Roys in Johnny Giavotella and David DeJesus. Ex-Angel Kendry Morales will no doubt be excited to face his former club this weekend as well. Who’ll join Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer in getting hot at the plate? Will we see Wade Davis or Greg Holland who’ve been largely unseen of late. Prediction: Series Split

2015 Meetings:
Kansas City swept Los Angeles in April winning 4-2, 6-4 and 9-2 which Jason Vargas, Guthrie and Ventura earning wins. Davis and Holland each picked up saves in games one and two before a route in the third game.

Franchise History:
KC has won seven straight overall (postseason included) against the Halos who still hold a all-time advantage of 283-276. LA is also 146-128 which includes being 127-114 here at the K.

TV/Radio Coverage:
The first two games of this series will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Kansas City with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler on the call. Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery host Royals Live from left field before and after the game.

Joe Davis and Royals Hall of Famer Mark Gubiza plus Ken Rosenthal bring you the action on Fox Sports 1 nationally. Sunday Night Baseball will also be live from Kauffman Stadium with Dan Shulman, John Kruk, Curt Schilling and Buster Olney bringing you the action.

The Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in Kansas City) has Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart describing all the action from the K.

2015 Series Schedule/Results v. Angels (KC 3-0):
April 10-12, Angels Stadium – W 4-2, W 6-4, W 9-2
August 13-16, Kauffman Stadium

Game Notes:
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Kansas City Royals

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