Royals and O’s Square off this Weekend

The first place Orioles visit the first place Royals for a three-game set this weekend

Two of the best records in the American League square off at Kauffman Stadium as the chessmaster and dunce meet this weekend. It’s also a rematch of the 2014 ALCS between the Baltimore Orioles and KC Royals, these two don’t have any love loss between them.

Buck Showalter and Ned Yost clubs have surprised some preseason expectations as the O’s are 10-4 while KC is 10-5 which are the leagues best two records.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups
Friday, 6:15 pm – RHP Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 5.63 ERA) v. RHP Chris Young (0-3, 7.90 ERA)
Saturday, 6:15 pm – TBA v. RHP Kris Medlen (1-0, 2.38 ERA)
Sunday, 1:15 pm – RHP Mike Wright (1-1, 5.73 ERA) v. RHP Yordano Ventura (1-0, 2.81 ERA)

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – There is one starter we don’t know who’ll throw this weekend but everything else seems to be known. Truthfully on paper if appears like you could pick which team will benefit from who they start in each game but we know that’s not the best way to go about it

Game 1: Gallardo came over in free agency and caries a high ERA early on this season he did throw effective when facing KC as a member of the Rangers last season. Young continues to struggle, there’s no way around this, his last start in Oakland seemed to be a good match-up but still resulted in defeat, prior to Sunday’s loss the Royals had only lost games started by CY.

Game 2: It’s unknown who the birds will start on Saturday night at the K so it’s hard to speculate. Medlen threw well against the A’s but saw a rare bullpen meltdown give him a no-decision despite throwing well.

Game 3: Wright carries a high earned run average and a 1-1 record as he’ll make the series finale. Ventura is coming off another good start, he threw well versus the Tigers on Tuesday and continues to show signs of bouncing back.

Series Outlook – Kansas City taking two-of-three against one of their division rivals will now shift their attention to an AL East nemesis.

After starting with NL East, AL Central and West division opponents, they’ll see the franchise they swept out of the 2014 ALCS as we previously mentioned. Some names and faces have changed for Buck’s bunch but Chris Davis is still mashing home runs as is Manny Machado and Adam Jones.

Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez had good offensive series against Detroit, and in a series where the Royals will face a good offense, will need more help. Both teams will feature strong bullpens which make getting runs early off each teams starters that much more important.

Prediction – Royals take two of three

2015 Meetings
Kansas City went 4-3 against Baltimore last season, winning three of four at the K but going 1-2 at Camden Yards. Only two games saw either team winning by less than two runs, teams that won did so in a comfortable manner.

Franchise History
The Orioles hold an all-time lead of 263-2-6 against the World Champions, which includes being 122-115 in games played in the city of fountains.

TV/Radio Coverage
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast all four games from Houston with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler. Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery host Royals Live before and after the games.

On the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in KC) will be Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart.

Game Notes:
Baltimore Orioles
Kansas City Royals