Royals at Rangers
Jorge Soler is enjoying the best season of his career and looks to build on the success when the Kansas City Royals visit the Texas Rangers on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. Soler belted a three-run shot in Thursday's series-opening 4-2 victory to increase his career-best homer total to 14.
Soler also has registered 39 RBIs, just eight shy of the career high he established with the Chicago Cubs in 2015. Adalberto Mondesi also went deep in the opener as the Royals won for just the second time in eight contests. Texas received solo homers from Shin-Soo Choo and Nomar Mazara while losing the opener of an 11-game homestand and has dropped four of its last six overall contests. Choo has belted six homers in his last 13 games and needs one to reach 200 for his career.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (3-1, 3.12 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Ariel Jurado (1-2, 2.28)
Duffy did not factor in the decision in his last start after giving up four runs - one earned - and five hits over six innings against the New York Yankees. The 30-year-old is 3-0 over his last five turns and has allowed fewer than three earned runs in four of the outings. Duffy defeated the Rangers on May 14, when he gave up four runs and seven hits in five frames, and is 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in eight career starts versus the club.
Jurado is scheduled to make his third start of the season and the 11th of his career. The 23-year-old put up a solid effort against the Los Angeles Angels in his last turn as he gave up two runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision. Jurado faced the Royals for the first time on May 14, when he allowed two runs and four hits in 2 1/3 frames of relief.
WALK-OFFS
1. Even with Thursday's win, the Royals own the worst road record in the majors at 8-20.
2. Texas OF Joey Gallo (wrist) returned after a one-game absence and went with 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk.
3. Kansas City 3B Hunter Dozier (thorax) departed the series opener in the fifth inning and his status will be determined on Friday.