Game 1 of 3
The 49-52 Royals visit the 52-50 (yet 1st place) Blue Jays for a 3-game weekend series. KC has hung tough with Toronto thus far, leading the season series 3-1. This will mark the last time the teams will face off this season, unless something really weird happens.
The Royals will be without Ryan Braun, who was traded to Seattle yesterday for young outfielder Adam Hasley. Evan White, who was called up to fill in at 1B yesterday in place of Braun, has already been returned to Omaha. Adam Hasley will report directly to KC and make his big league debut tonight. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter is a solid defender with pretty good ability all around, with his weaknesses being hitting for power and avoiding strikeouts. He will split time starting in RF with Alex Kirilloff until Jeremy Kinney comes off the DL in approximately 3 weeks. With Hasley replacing Braun, the KC outfield is pretty much set for the next five years (although… we all know there will be more trades). 26-year-old Julio Estever, a quadruple set of 24-year-olds (Bernie Blanchard, Adam Hasley, Jeremy Kinney, Billy Rounds) will likely be the 5 outfielders on the roster next opening day, while 23-year-olds Alex Kirilloff & Gunnar Nelson will be providing injury relief from AAA Omaha when needed. KC’s #2 outfield prospect Luke Musgrave may be ready for the big leagues by the middle of next season as well, but is out for the next 9 months with an injury.
Jason Neal (7-4, 4.69) will be on the mound for the Royals while Scott Clark (5-9, 4.61) will start for Toronto. Neither pitcher has faced their opponent yet this season.
1 LF – Bernie Blanchard – .352 OBP, 23 SB
2 2B – Julio Soto – 15 HR, 21 SB
3 DH – Kody Clemens – 17 HR, .843 OPS
4 CF – Billy Rounds – 10 HR, 11 SB
5 SS – Gus Lopez – .345 AVG, 32 SB
6 RF – Adam Hasley – MLB DEBUT – .301 AVG @ AAA Tacoma
7 3B – Nander De Sedas – .857 OPS in 18 MLB games
8 1B – Arnold Moser – .713 OPS in 15 MLB games
9 CA – Henry O’Day – 3-for-6 career vs Clark