Athletics at Royals
The Kansas City Royals haven't given their fans much to cheer during the 2018 season, as they reside in fourth place in the American League Central due in large part to a 9-19 mark at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals (20-36), however, have enjoyed a sliver of success of late and look to ride the momentum of back-to-back victories into Friday's opener of a three-game series against the visiting Oakland Athletics (29-28).
Mike Moustakas recorded his second straight multi-hit performance in Wednesday's 11-8 victory over Minnesota, with six of his last seven hits (four doubles, two homers) going for extra bases. While Moustakas enjoyed a 14-game hitting streak in April, Jon Jay carries a 12-game stretch into June by going 18-for-50 entering the series versus Oakland. Stephen Piscotty has answered both a personal and professional tough stretch by recording his third double in four games, with the latest one driving in two runs in the second inning of Thursday's 7-3 victory over Tampa Bay. The triumph salvaged the finale of a four-game set versus the Rays and enabled the Athletics to conclude their 10-game homestand with a 4-6 mark.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Frankie Montas (1-0, 1.50 ERA) vs. Royals RH Ian Kennedy (1-5, 5.15)
Montas was impressive in his season debut on Sunday, retiring his first 10 batters and taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning in a 2-1 victory against Arizona. The 25-year-old Dominican matched his career high with seven strikeouts and allowed just one run on three hits in the encounter. Montas has squared off against Kansas City in one relief appearance during his career, retiring all three players he's faced that are currently on the Royals' roster.
Kennedy saw his winless stretch extend to nine outings (0-5, 6.31 ERA) on Saturday despite permitting just two runs in five innings of a no-decision at Texas. The 33-year-old was gashed for 19 runs on 24 hits - including five homers - in his previous three starts. Khris Davis is 4-for-12 with a homer in his career versus Kennedy, who sports a 1-2 career mark and 5.09 ERA in three starts against the Athletics.
WALK-OFFS
1. Oakland 1B Matt Olson went deep on Thursday to give him six hits (two homers, two doubles, two singles) in his last seven games.
2. Kansas City RF Jorge Soler homered to highlight his four-hit performance on Wednesday, marking the third time he's gone deep in his last six outings.
3. Athletics RF Matt Joyce launched a solo homer in the eighth inning on Thursday, ending an 0-for-15 stretch.