After a 4-2 road trip, the Kansas City Royals return home to begin a pivotal six-game homestand on Tuesday. They swept the Texas Rangers on the road and took the opener in San Diego before dropping the final two games of that series.
With the back-to-back losses, the Royals now sit at 38-40, third in the American League Central.
Things won’t get any easier at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City opens a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. These teams last met at the end of April, with the Royals winning the final game on May 1 by a score of 8-2.
MORE: It's make or break time for the Kansas City Royals as they start in San Diego
Kris Bubic, the Royals’ ace, is expected to start the opener against Tampa Bay. That likely lines him up for another appearance later in the week. Bubic has been a bright spot for the pitching staff, posting solid numbers and providing stability in the rotation.
To close out the homestand, Kansas City hosts the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers enter the week at 48-31 and lead the National League West. They’ve won six of their last eight games and continue to show elite depth on both sides of the ball.
Michael Wacha and Michael Lorenzen are scheduled to pitch against the Rays, while Noah Cameron and Seth Lugo are expected to start the final two games against the Dodgers. Lugo, in particular, has been reliable all season.
The Royals start the week with a 19-19 record at home. Tampa Bay is 16-12 on the road, while the Dodgers are 18-17 away from Los Angeles.
In another big-time week for Kansas City, things are going to get tough. The Royals need to get hot as the weather to make July a little more meaningful in the standings.
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