Series preview - @ Kansas City

Note: The stats next to the pitchers are as follows (IP,SO/BB,WHIP,VORP)

Game 1

Friday August 8th @ 7:10pm (FSN)

K. Slowey (102.7, 76/16, 1.10, 16.3)
vs
K. Davies (63.3, 32/24, 1.56, 6.9)

At 24 years old Davies is having his best year as a pro. His BB/9 and HR/9 have gotten better, but his K/9 has regressed. His average GmSc on the year is 50 and his ERA+ is 100, meaning he's almost exactly a league average pitcher.

Slowey has been inconsistent as of late, recording game scores of 89, 46, 18, 43, 79, and 47 in his last six starts. In his last start he struck out seven and didn't walk any, but gave up five runs on six hits including two HR.

Game 2

Saturday August 9th @ 7:10pm (FSN)

F. Liriano (16.3, 12/16, 2.08, -2.7)
vs
Z. Greinke (146.7, 131/42, 1.31, 27.1)

Zach Greinke is putting up almost exactly the same numbers this year as last, when he split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen and they're pretty good numbers.

In Liriano's first start back in the majors, against Cleveland, he went six scoreless innings, giving up three hits and three walks with five strikeouts. It was not a dominating performance, he often fell behind batters, but it was six innings of zero's in his first big league start since April, so you can't nitpick too much.

Game 3

Sunday August 10th @ 12:10pm (WFTC29)

S. Baker (107.3, 93/23, 1.17, 20.8)
vs
G. Meche (146.7, 115/51, 1.31, 22.6)

With Greinke and Meche the Royals have two quality pitchers they can throw at you back to back, which, for the Royals, is something. Meche has been on fire since the All-Star break, recording his lowest GmSc, a 60, in his last outing against Boston. A 60 GmSc is still pretty good.

Baker on the other hand has been scuffling and his last outing against Seattle was his worst of the year, he gave up six runs in five and a third. The Royals are the kind of team it's easy to bounce back against.