MLB Insiders - Kansas City Royals

[Giants666]

MLB INSIDERS

NOTES: The Royals will play their most important series of the season beginning on Tuesday.

How could a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates become the most important for the remainder of 2006? The Royals have the worst record in the American League and the majors, 19-49. The Pirates have the worst record in the National League, 26-44, which is the second-worst record in the majors.

To the loser goes the spoils: the top overall pick in the 2007 draft.

If the Royals should sweep this series, they could endanger their opportunity to get the best player from the next draft.

The Royals, who were off on Monday, had the first pick in the 2006 draft, selecting right-handed pitcher Luke Hochevar, who is still unsigned. They used the second overall choice in the 2005 draft on Nebraska third baseman Alex Gordon, who is playing for Double-A Wichita in the Texas League.

The Royals will spend the final three months of the season keeping a watchful eye on clubs like the Pirates, Cubs and Devil Rays, hoping that they do not tumble to the depths of Kansas City.

Kansas City has won three of five, a fairly good stretch considering the team had lost 25 of 31.

Although the Royals have played poorly on the road, their home record hasn't been much better. Kansas City has lost 10 of 12 at Kauffman Stadium.

The Pirates hope Kip Wells making his season debut can help snap their losing streak.

Wells has been on the disabled list the entire season following surgery to repair a blocked artery in his right shoulder. He wasn't expected back until the All-Star break and was supposed to make another rehabilitation start this week, but with right-hander Victor Santos going on the DL, the Pirates decided to give Wells the nod.

The right-hander led the majors with 18 losses last season.

Mark Redman (3-4, 5.68) will be looking for his fourth straight victory when he faces his former team on Tuesday. The veteran left-hander went 5-15 with a 4.90 ERA for Pittsburgh in 2005 before being traded to Kansas City in the offseason.

Redman began the year 0-4 in his first seven starts, but has since turned his season around. He beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Wednesday, allowing four hits and three runs in eight innings.

Redman hasn't won four straight decisions since 2003, when he finished 14-9 for the Florida Marlins.

Kansas City is 9-8 all-time against Pittsburgh. This is the teams' first meeting since 2001.

--LHP Mark Redman, who starts on Tuesday against the Pirates, has been the Royals' best starter recently, winning his past three starts. Redman has pitched eight innings in each of his past two starts, allowing five runs and 13 hits in 16 innings in wins over the Angels and Devil Rays.

--1B Doug Mientkiewicz' game-winning ninth-inning home run Sunday at Houston was only his second extra-base hit in 15 games. It was his first home run since May 25 against the Tigers.

--LHP Jimmy Gobble has allowed nine runs in his past 32 1/3 innings, a 2.51 earned run average.

--3B Mark Teahen hit just .174, 4-for-23, on the just-concluded road trip.

--The Royals are 68-96 in interleague play, which begin in 1997. Their next 12 games are against National League opponents.

BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- The longest winning streak by the Royals this season.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He was the best player in the country. He was No. 1 on our board in Atlanta." -- Royals general manager Dayton Moore on RHP Luke Hochevar, who the Royals picked first overall in the June draft.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RHP Mike MacDougal, who has a strained muscle in his back and shoulder, began the season on the 60-day disabled list. He began a rehab assignment June 18 with Double-A Wichita.

LHP Bobby Madritsch had off-season shoulder surgery and began the season on 60-day disabled list.

RHP Steve Stemle went on the disabled list April 17 with a strained right elbow. He underwent "Tommy John" surgery on May 3, and he will miss the remainder of the season.

RHP Zack Greinke left the team for personal reasons during spring training, and he was placed on the 60-day disabled list. He has begun a minor league rehab assignment. He could return to the team in late June.

DH Mike Sweeney went on the disabled list May 2 with a bulging disk in his neck. He started swinging a bat for the first time June 7. He hopes to be back with the Royals in late June.

RHP Chris Booker was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 15 with a groin injury.

[redsfan28]

Well, let's just name this what it is: The Loser Series!

[Killah Sith]

And we're up 1-0.

[HuskerFan2002]

This Gathwright kid is better than I thought he'd be.

[redsfan28]

Well, I guess the Pirates are the losers and are on pace for the #1 pick.

[Killah Sith]

We still have a 2 1/2 game lead on them.

[Porter]

Well its sad when you're hoping to get the #2 pick.

[Killah Sith]

Actually I meant that KC had a 2 1/2 game lead to keep the first pick. With that said though, I hope they win enough they don't get it, even though it's probably better that they do get the pick.

[Porter]

It would be good change if they get that 2nd pick.

[Porter]

Kansas City with a good win over the Cards today. 8-7.

[Porter]

The Royals are playing a little better recently but why in the hell did Mark Redman get to go to the ASG?

[HuskerFan2002]

I'm wondering the same thing.

We all know every team needs to have at least one representative. I hope Ozzie doesn't use him otherwise Redman will give up 5-6 runs and let the NL win.

[Killah Sith]

Gruds should have gotten the all star nod.

[realmofotalk]

I agree. Grudz has been a solid hitter for a middle infielder for the last several years. I recall my team dumping him and Eric Karros to the Cubs just to save enough payroll room to sign a way past his prime Fred McGriff. The move depleted the already weak offense even more.