Rangers Series Preview: Kansas City Royals

The Rangers will finish up their season series against the Royals with a three game set. They split a four game series at the end of May in Texas.

They’ll have Elvis Andrus back in the lineup for the first time since fracturing his elbow in the second week of the season. With Jose Trevino being sent back to Frisco and Carlos Perez on the DL, Isiah Kiner-Falefa will now be the backup catcher. (Not sure if we’ll see him catch in this series but more than likely on Saturday in Minnesota since that’s an afternoon game after a night game.)

Kansas is currently on a six game losing streak and have won two of their last 15 games so hopefully the Rangers are visiting them at just the right time.

Bartolo pitches the first game tonight and looking for his 244th career win, the most for a domincan born pitcher.

Ian Kennedy will pitch for the Royals tonight, he has a 5.13 ERA and a 1-6 record

Tuesday will feature Hammel vs Hamels. Cole got a loss the last time he faced Kansas but is 2-1 with a 2.40 ERA in seven road starts. In Hammel’s last start, he pitched six scoreless innings before giving up two runs and getting the loss.

In the series finale, Yohander Mendez will make his second start of the season. Jakob Junis will start for the Royals, he gave up two solo homers and a grand slam to Evan Gattis in his last start for his fourth straight loss.