Minnesota @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jun 10, 2010 ) Kansas City 9, Minnesota 8
It's pretty much a lock that Zack Greinke won't repeat as the American League's Cy Young Award winner this season.
It's also a lock that opposing hitters would prefer to take the day off when Kansas City's right-hander is pitching.
While Greinke likely won't be adding to his trophy collection in the offseason, he's in his best stretch of the season and takes the mound against the Minnesota Twins on Monday in the opener of a three-game series.
Although Greinke's record doesn't show it, his performance over the last month has resembled the pitcher who dominated the league in 2009. Not only has he won four of his last five starts, Greinke is showing signs that he's ready for a strong finish.
Greinke has pitched at least seven innings in all five starts and has lasted eight innings four times. He also has held opponents to two runs or less on four occasions. Greinke has allowed 29 hits and 12 earned runs in 39 innings. Over his last three starts, he has allowed four earned runs in 23 innings.
Greinke has lost both of his starts against the Twins this season. He lasted only five innings in both appearances, giving up 10 runs and 15 hits.
As was the case last season, Kansas City's offense hasn't given Greinke much support. Despite their improvement as a club in several categories, the Royals have averaged 3.6 runs in his 20 starts, a trend that almost cost him the award in 2009.
Francisco Liriano would be in line for this season's Cy Young Award if he could start every game against Cleveland. The left-hander has won all three starts against the Indians, holding their offense to three earned runs in 22 innings. Liriano dominated Cleveland in his last start with seven shutout innings, giving up only six hits and striking out eight.
Unfortunately for the Twins, Liriano won't get a chance to face the Indians again until next month. He has won his last two starts, but those are his only victories since June 11. Liriano, who will be making his first start against the Royals, has won four times in his last 14 starts.
Minnesota is coming off a good weekend in Baltimore. The Twins took three of four, including a 10-4 win Sunday in which Jason Kubel hit a grand slam. Delmon Young and Jim Thome also homered as Minnesota posted its seventh win in 10 games.
The Royals dropped three of four in Yankee Stadium over the weekend, including a 12-6 loss Sunday.
Minnesota is in second place in the AL Central and trails the Chicago White Sox by one game. Fourth-place Kansas City is 11 1/2 games out and leads last-place Cleveland by one game.