KC Royals Series Preview: Orioles (62-61) at Royals (75-48)

Our KC Royals return home for a quick four game series with Baltimore on the heels of a 4-2 road trip through Cincinnati and Boston. This is the first meeting with the O’s since last falls ALCS which KC swept en route to the World Series.

After throwing Thursday at Fenway Park, Kris Medlen will make his first Royals start tonight at Kauffman Stadium. Photo Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Each team has followed up their breakout seasons which they ended playoff droughts in different fashion with the Orioles fighting for a wildcard and our boys in play having the AL’s best record.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups:
Monday, 7:10 pm – Ubaldo Jimenez/RHP (9-7, 3.97) v. Kris Medlen/RHP (1-0, 2.51)
Tuesday, 7:10 pm – Miguel Gonzalez/RHP (9-9, 4.73) v. Danny Duffy/LHP (6-6, 4.18)
Wednesday, 7:10 pm – Wei-Yen Chen/LHP (7-6, 3.13) v. Johnny Cueto/RHP (2-2, 3.00 w/KC)
Thursday, 1:10 pm – Chris Tillman/RHP (9-8, 4.51) v. Yordano Ventura/RHP (8-7, 4.64)

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – These pitching match-ups aren’t the prettiest that you’ll see for a series. Baltimore has two starters with an ERA under four, Kansas City not much better so we’ll see how this shakes out.

Game 1: Jimenez has good numbers against a few of KC’s key components in their lineups. Medlen replaces Jeremy Guthrie in the rotation and makes his first start of 2015 after a solid sent in the bullpen.
Game 2: Gonzalez has a high ERA plus .500 record which points at the struggles the O’s have faced this season. Which Duffy are we going to see in this start? After two solid starts he’s been wildly inconsistent and not going deep into games.
Game 3: Chen will be the lone lefty Baltimore throw and has the best ERA of the four. Cueto makes another home start which should have Royals fans in a frenzy given his previous two at the K.
Game 4: Tillman rounds out the birds rotation this series and he like three others has nine wins. Ventura’s improvement since Cueto has joined the team must be pointed out, he gave the team a needed start at Boston which hopefully he continues.

Series Prediction – These teams will square off twice in the coming weeks after going this far without seeing one another. Manny Machado is considered one of the best third basemen which in these parts might seem like outrageous with our Mike Moustakas bias. Baltimore hasn’t been the same club that swept through their ALDS and won the AL East last season. One reason for the struggles can be pointed to the O’s are 11 games under .500 on the road. Prediction: Royals take three of four

2014 Meetings:
During the regular season the Royals won four of the seven meetings and then swept Baltimore in the ALCS.

Franchise History:
The Orioles hold an all-time advantage of 260-202 including 121-112 in Kansas City, at Kauffman Stadium the home team narrowly holds a 105-104 lead.

TV/Radio Coverage:
All four games can be seen on FOX Sports Kansas City where Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler bring you the action. Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery bring you Royals Live before and after each game from left field.

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 city of fountains.

2015 Series Schedule/Results v. Orioles:
August 24-27, Kauffman Stadium
September 11-13, Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Game Notes:
Baltimore Orioles
Kansas City Royals