Preview: Royals at Cubs
Send a link to a friend
[May 29, 2015]
The Kansas City Royals looks to end
the roller-coaster ride they have been on the last two weeks when they
visit the Chicago Cubs on Friday to begin a three-game series. The
Royals have allowed 29 runs during a four-game losing streak, giving up
their lead in the American League Central, after winning seven of the
previous eight contests.
|
Kansas City, which is tied with Minnesota for first in the Central,
could get outfielder Alex Rios (broken left hand) back from the
disabled list as early as Friday. Royals starter Edinson Volquez
attempts to improve on a 7-0 lifetime record against the Cubs, who
have dropped three of four after a 3-0 loss at Washington on
Wednesday. Chicago will send Jake Arrieta to the mound as it hosts
Kansas City for the first time since 2001. Cubs rookie phenom Kris
Bryant has belted a pair of homers in the last three games and
boasts a team-high 31 RBIs in 38 contests.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Kansas City, CSN Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Edinson Volquez (4-3, 2.77 ERA) vs. Cubs
RH Jake Arrieta (4-4, 2.95)
Volquez has won his last two starts while yielding two runs on seven
hits in 13 innings combined, beating St. Louis and the New York
Yankees. The 31-year-old Dominican, in his first season with the
Royals, has limited opponents to three or fewer earned runs in eight
of his nine outings. Dexter Fowler is 8-for-25 with a homer against
Volquez, who boasts a 2.90 ERA in 59 career innings versus the Cubs.
Arrieta comes in off one of his roughest outings of the season when
he allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits over six innings
without getting a decision Saturday at Arizona. The 29-year-old TCU
product has pitched well overall this season, permitting two or
fewer runs in five of nine turns with 62 strikeouts in 58 innings.
Omar Infante is 2-for-2 versus Arrieta, who is 2-0 with a 3.12 ERA
in his career against the Royals.
[to top of second column] |
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs stood second in the majors through Wednesday’s games
with 43 stolen bases.
2. Kansas City C Salvador Perez went 0-for-8 in the last three games
against the Yankees, following a 10-game hitting streak.
3. Chicago’s rookie 2B Addison Russell went 4-for-8 in the last two
contests to raise his average to .252.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Royals 3
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|