Royals Report: 8/17, vs. Houston

:astros: at :royals:
Game 2 of 4
Royals lead season series 1-0

:astros: LHP Reginald McMillan (6-6, 4.60)
:royals: LHP Jason Neal (9-5, 4.58)


Kris Bubic gave us another good start and the Royals were able to win despite stranding a bunch of runners last night. Today, we look to win game 2 and clinch at least a split in the 4-game series. Jason Neal has won his last two starts, and is looking to make it 3 in a row if he has his good stuff. His ERA is a half a point lower at home than it is on the road, so he’s happy to be pitching in Kauffman. Houston starter Reginald McMillan looks to be a really solid starter although he runs out of gas a bit quicker than his coaches would like.  He, like Neal, is much more comfortable pitching at home, so maybe that will give us an edge. Of course, Houston has one of the best bullpens in the league, so getting to them early isn’t always that helpful.


1 SS – Gus Lopez – ML-leading .348 Avg, 36 SB
2 C – David Davies – .400 with 3 HR last 5 games
3 LF – Bernie Blanchard – .357 Avg, 28 SB
4 CF – Billy Rounds – 12 HR, 14 SB
5 3B – Nander De Sedas – .761 OPS
6 1B – Evan White – +2.8 ZR, 1.070 EFF
7 DH – Alex Kirilloff – 1.074 OPS in 20 MLB games
8 2B – Juan Ruiz – .757 OPS, +2.3 ZR, 1.063 EFF
9 RF – Jeremy Kinney – 0-for-4 in return from IL last night

Mota will give Kinney another crack at it tonight as the rookie RF makes adjustments coming off the IL. An injury to Adam Hasley kept Kinney from having a few AAA games to get back in form. David Davies is hot right now, and he’s back in the #2 spot in the order.

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