Royals at Braves
With victories in 11 of the first 12 games, it's hard to imagine things could be better for an Atlanta Braves team that owns baseball’s best record as it starts a two-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. There are still players who have struggled through the season’s first two weeks for the Braves, including B.J. Upton. The center fielder was 3-for-5 Sunday as Atlanta completed a sweep of National League East-rival Washington. Upton raised his average to .163.
Kansas City is tied for first in the American League Central, sparking early-season hopes this may be just the second time since 1995 the Royals will finish above .500. The Royals have won five of their past seven, avoiding a sweep by Toronto with a 3-2 victory Sunday. Alex Gordon went 2-for-5 Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Gordon is hitting .396 during the streak.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City (Kansas City), Fox Sports South (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (2-0, 3.55 ERA) vs. Braves RH Kris Medlen (1-1, 1.50).
Guthrie has spent his 10 years in the majors pounding the strike zone, and the right-hander is doing the same thing through two starts this season. Guthrie has just two walks and 11 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings, winning both of his outings to start 2013. Guthrie only struck out two hitters in his last start, allowing four earned runs in a victory against Minnesota.
Medlen is the only Atlanta pitcher with a loss on his record, but the right-hander rebounded with a 2012-esque performance Tuesday against Miami. Medlen, who went 10-1 last season, held Miami to three hits and one unearned run in seven innings. Control has been a concern for the right-hander after walking 23 hitters in 138 innings last season, Medlen has issued six walks in 12 innings in 2013.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta and Kansas City have faced each other six times interleague play. The Royals won two of three in 2004, while the Braves swept a three-game set in 2010.
2. Kansas City manager Ned Yost spent 12 seasons as a coach with Atlanta (1991-2002).
3. The Braves are 9-0 when leading after six innings, 8-0 when scoring first and have homered in 11 of 12 games.