In an interview before the game, Joel Goldberg asked Vinnie Pasquantino if the team was especially motivated for this series. The Texas Rangers, after all, are one of the Kansas City Royals’ main opponents in the Wild Card race—only 1.5 games back from the Royals. The Rangers are also just a better team than the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox.
Vinnie had a simple answer: “We’re focused on winning today.” It didn’t matter who their opponent was; Kansas City would prepare to win every single
game.
It’s a good approach, but Joel’s question was legit. This is a much bigger series than the one against the White Sox. Win three out of four games against the Rangers, and the Royals will grow their lead over Texas to a huge 4.5 games. Lose three out of four games, and not only will the Rangers squeeze by Kansas City in the Wild Card standings, but the Royals will also slip back to .500.
And if you sweep the Rangers? You can functionally put them behind you for good.
The Royals will be without the services of Salvador Perez, who is too ill to start. Considering the iron man that Salvy is, he has to be really sick. In his pregame interview, Royals manager Matt Quatraro pointed that out. He was also asked if Perez would be available. His response? “He has to be.” The Royals don’t have a third catcher on the team, so if Luke Maile is injured during the course of the game, Sal might have to play. I guess that’s what you get when you make ten figures.
