Los Angeles @ Kansas City preview
Kauffman Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 25, 2013 ) LA Angels 7, Kansas City 0
The Kansas City Royals’ slumping offense will need to come alive on Sunday if they hope to avoid being swept in their four-game home series with the Los Angeles Angels. Kansas City scratched out only two hits over five innings Saturday against former Royal Billy Buckner in a 7-0 loss, even though he had not pitched in the majors since 2010. The Royals have dropped seven straight at home and 15 of 19 overall, scoring three runs or fewer in 12 of those defeats.
Conversely, Los Angeles has reeled off seven straight victories since losing five of six from May 12-17. The Angels have outscored opponents 54-18 during their season-best winning streak, scoring at least five runs in each contest while giving up two or fewer five times. Los Angeles, which has belted 58 home runs this season to Kansas City's 28, hit two more Saturday to give it seven for the series. The Royals have homered once.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FSN West (Los Angeles), FSN (Kansas City)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels RH Jerome Williams (3-1, 2.53 ERA) vs. Royals RH Wade Davis (3-3, 5.91)
Thrust into the rotation at the beginning of May following eight relief appearances, Williams continued to make his case to remain a starter after allowing six hits over eight strong innings in Tuesday’s 12-0 victory over Seattle. The right-hander has turned in three consecutive quality starts, going 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA in that span. Williams will make only his second career start against the Royals – and first since 2003 – although he did toss four scoreless innings in relief against them in 2012.
Davis escaped with a no-decision after another mediocre outing in Tuesday’s 7-3 win over Houston. The former Tampa Bay Rays right-hander held the Astros to three runs despite giving up eight hits and four walks over five frames. Davis secured his last win against the Angels on May 15 and is 2-0 with a 3.92 ERA against them in seven career appearances (three starts), but he is only 1-2 with a 6.97 ERA at Kauffman Stadium this season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Los Angeles DH Josh Hamilton's seventh-inning solo homer on Saturday was his 900th career hit. He has recorded five RBIs in his last five games after collecting only four over his previous 32 contests.
2. Kansas City has totaled 24 runs while dropping eight of its last nine.
3. The Angels’ starting rotation has posted a 1.76 ERA during their winning streak.
PREDICTION: Angels 6, Royals 1