The Tampa Bay Rays (74-54), took a tough, extra-innings loss at home as they tried to sweep the New York Yankees in a three-game series at Tropicana Field. Now, they have to quickly regroup for a one-day matinee trip to Kansas City against the Royals (65-64) at 2:05 p.m. Live stream the game here; the Rays radio broadcast can be heard on WDAE 620, while the Royals fans can tune in to KCSP 610.
The Royals were widely panned this offseason for dealing the top prospect in their loaded farm system, outfielder Wil Myers, to the Tampa Bay Rays for starting pitcher James Shields. One look at Myers' numbers this season might make Kansas City's front office blanche.
In 55 games Myers is hitting .302 with nine home runs, 39 RBI, and five stolen bases to go with 29 runs scored. He's been penciled in by Rays manager Joe Maddon as the fifth hitter in Tampa Bay's lineup, further proving how established he already is at the MLB level.
Myers is very excited about his first game in Kauffman Stadium as a big leaguer, telling media, "Now, I'll have a big league game there. I'm excited to play in Kansas City. I really want to win. That's the biggest thing."
While all the attention will be healed on Myers, Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie (12-10, 4.27 ERA) will need to be most careful with Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who has batted .395 with six home runs, five doubles and nine RBI over Tampa Bay's last 11 contests.
Opposing Guthrie for the Rays will be Jeremy Hellickson (10-7, 5.01 ERA) who had turned his season around in June and July only to revert to putrid performances in August. This month Hellickson is 0-3 with a wretched 8.00 ERA and equally abominable 1.944 WHIP.
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