Braves at Royals
Kansas City has found the road to defending its World Series title difficult during a tough start to the season, but the Royals are looking to reach .500 when they host the middle contest of a three-game set Saturday against the struggling Atlanta Braves. The Royals captured Friday’s series opener 5-1 -- their fourth victory in the past 11 games -- improving Kansas City’s record in interleague play since 2014 to a major-league best 31-15.
Kansas City shortstop Alcides Escobar recorded two hits in Friday’s victory, and is batting .333 while recording at least one hit in 10 of his last 12 games. The Braves have lost seven of their past eight, dropping eight of their 11 games in May while being outscored 47-27 and hitting .220 this month. Gordon Beckham recorded two hits in the loss, and is 5-for-10 with two doubles and three RBIs in his past three games for Atlanta. The Braves are 8-26, matching the 1911 Boston Braves for the worst start in franchise history through 34 games.
TV: 7:15 p.m., MLB Network, FSN South (Atlanta), FSN Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Mike Foltynewicz (0-1, 5.06 ERA) vs. Royals RH Dillon Gee (0-0, 2.61)
Foltynewicz made arguably the best start of his big-league career Sunday against Arizona, firing seven innings of two-run, five-hit ball with no walks and eight strikeouts in a no-decision. It was a big improvement from his first start of 2016 when Foltynewicz allowed three homers in 3 2/3 innings in a May 2 loss to the New York Mets – and it appears Atlanta will give the 24-year-old a chance to solidify a rotation spot. Foltynewicz went 1-2 with a 2.05 ERA in four starts for Triple-A Gwinnett in April.
Gee makes his first start of the season after seven relief appearances, taking Chris Young's spot in the rotation after he was placed on the disabled list (right forearm strain). Gee pitched a season-high 5 1/3 innings Monday against the New York Yankees, allowing one run on three hits. The 30-year-old is no stranger to facing Atlanta, going 6-5 with a 3.68 ERA in 17 starts for the Mets against the Braves from 2010-2015.
WALK-OFFS
1. Atlanta LHP Hunter Cervenka gave up three runs in the eighth inning Friday, the first runs he’s allowed in 16 appearances.
2. Kansas City placed RHP Kris Medlen (a former Atlanta player who was Sunday’s scheduled starter) on the disabled list with right rotator cuff inflammation.
3. Royals LF Alex Gordon dropped a fly ball in the fourth inning Friday, snapping a 188-game streak without an error.