On Thursday, the Kansas City Royals visit the Oakland Athletics in the first game of four –game series that concludes on Sunday.
The Royals lost their third straight game on Tuesday falling to the Los Angeles Angels 1-0 as they could muster just one hit on the night off Andrew Heaney. The Royals are now 11 games back and in fourth place in the American League Central.
Oakland lost on Tuesday to Texas 7-4 as the A’s pitching staff allowed five home runs to the Rangers. Oakland’s Khris Davis had an RBI double and solo home run in the loss. Oakland now sits in fourth place in the AL West 7 ½ games behind first place Seattle.
Jon Jay leads the Royals with a .307 batting average and team high 73 hits. Mike Moustakas leads the team in home runs with 12 and RBIs with 40. Kansas City has a team batting of .253 while opposing hitters are averaging .280 at the plate against Royals pitching. On Thursday, the Royals will send Jason Hammel to the mound. The right-hander this season is 2-5 with an ERA of 5.17, 46 Ks and 20 BBs.
Jed Lowrie leads the A’s with a .294 batting average and team high 70 hits. Khris Davis is the team leader in home runs with 14 and RBIs with 42. Oakland has a team batting average .241 while opposing hitters are averaging .246 at the plate against Athletics pitching. On Thursday, Oakland will send Frankie Montas to the mound. The right-hander this season is 2-0 with an ERA of 0.64, 9 Ks and 2 BBs.
