Tampa Bay and KC will battle for the first time since the big offseason trade.  Two of KC’s acquisitions will be on the field – Big Game James is on the mound and Elliot Johnson is at second base.  The 7:10 game vs. the Rays will be on FSKC and the Royals Radio Network.

Tampa Bay lineup:  Jennings – CF, Joyce – LF, Zobrist – RF, Longoria – 3B, Loney – 1B, Escobar – SS, Scott – DH, Molina – C, Roberts – 2B, Cobb – RHP

KC lineup:  Gordon – LF, Escobar – SS, Butler – DH, Hosmer – 1B, Cain – CF, Moustakas – 3B, Francoeur – RF, Perez – C, Johnson – 2B, Shields – RHP

Royals Game Notes (PDF file):  Game_24_vs._Tampa_Bay

Royals Trivia Fact:  James Shields left Tampa Bay as the club’s leader in several categories, including wins (87).

KC’s wrap-around series with Cleveland concludes tonight. Wade Davis toes the rubber in a 7:10 start. All seven games this week are on FSKC. Let’s take a look at the lineups:

Cleveland: Brantley – LF, Kipnis – 2B, Cabrera – SS, Swisher – 1B, Reynolds – DH, Santana – C, Raburn – RF, Chisenhall – 3B, Stubbs – CF, Jimenez – RHP

Kansas City:  Gordon – LF, Escobar – SS, Butler – DH, Hosmer – 1B, Cain – CF, Moustakas – 3B, Francoeur – RF, Perez – C, Getz – 2B, Davis – RHP

Royals Game Notes (PDF file): Game #23 vs. Cleveland

Royals Trivia Fact:  Tonight’s starter, Wade Davis, is from Lake Wales, Florida.  Former big league catcher and World Series MVP Pat Borders is also from Lake Wales.

Royals’ Manager Ned Yost began today’s media conference discussing the large role that the top of the batting order has had on the club’s success. Yost stated that his philosophy has always centered on capturing bases, and that both Alex Gordon and Alcides Escobar have been incredibly consistent this season. With Gordon and Escobar consistently getting on base, Yost stated that it has created great opportunities for players later in the lineup with power to drive in more runs. He then mentioned the tremendous growth of Escobar as a consistent whole-field hitter, which is a huge asset for the team. Yost also mentioned the unbelievably steady work ethic of Gordon, and how that has parlayed directly in to his success.

Yost then went on to discuss the importance of capitalizing on the club’s opportunity to win the series tonight. He said that setting a goal of winning every single game is not realistic, but the club always has the goal of winning every series they play. It was the same goal that Yost carried while with the Braves and Brewers.

Yost wrapped up his press conference discussing James Shields’ much anticipated start against his former club, the Rays, on Tuesday. Yost indicated that Shields may have the tendency to feel too amped up for the game, but that is a natural response to facing your former teammates. Yost then went on to discuss the tremendous leadership Shields has brought to the clubhouse. Yost stated that Shields’ great attitude and high energy bleed over to his teammates, and that has meant a great deal to the rotation, and his teammates.

In accordance with the Royals 2013 Season Ticket Holder policy, any Season Ticket Holder with an unused ticket from the rained out game originally scheduled for Friday, April 26th that is part of a full, 41 or 21-season ticket plan may redeem that ticket for any of the previously published Season Ticket Holder redemption dates.

For fans who purchased April 26 tickets as part of a mini-plan, group or individual game sales and were unable to attend the make-up game on Sunday night, tickets may be redeemed for any of the remaining seven games during the current homestand. The Royals host Cleveland April 29 (7:10 pm), Tampa Bay April 30 (7:10 pm), May 1 (7:10 pm) and 2 (1:10 pm) and Chicago May 3 (7:10 pm), 4 (6:10 pm) and 5 (1:10 pm). The Kauffman Stadium Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

In addition, unredeemed parking vouchers will also be good for any remaining game on the current homestand.

Ned Yost met with the media for a short time after game one of today’s twin billing. The skipper was happy with the 9-0 win but also stated there is another game in a few hours.

One of the first topics of discussion was the pitching. Jeremy Guthrie headlined most of the conversation. “I think if you take a combination of all the pitches that he threw for balls it might add to three feet. He was just missing by that much. His command was really good. He never gave in, never tried to overcompensate and hit more of the plate. He did a great job of getting us through 6.2 innings,” said the skipper.  Guthrie, with the win today, kept his streak of consecutive starts without a loss intact (16) and tied the Royals all-time record previously help by Paul Splittorff.

With another game tonight coming a few hours, Ned was asked if the momentum from today could carry over to tonight’s game. Yost said that there w a lot of good feelings about the way they played in this afternoon’s game. “I think it can carry over. Good feelings about a well pitched game, good defense and swinging the bats the way we did. Yeah, that can carry over,” said Yost.

Manager Ned Yost began today’s media conference by addressing who will start tomorrow’s second game. Yost stated that Will Smith will be recalled tomorrow from Triple-A Omaha. Yost said that Smith has been performing very well in Omaha this season, and with the doubleheader’s “26th man”, it afforded him the opportunity to get Smith an appearance.

Yost then discussed the challenge of the recent rainouts in making personnel and lineup decisions. He also alluded to potential problems with a club having extra rest early in the season. He stated that the players need the repetition of playing games to build a rhythm and routine.

KC hosts Cleveland tonight at 6:10 p.m.  Here’s the preview:

TV/Radio:  FOX Sports Kansas City and the Royals Radio Network

Cleveland lineup: Brantley – LF, Kipnis – 2B, Cabrera – SS, Swisher – RF, Giambi – DH, Santana – C, Reynolds – 1B, Chisenhall – 3B, Stubbs – CF, Kazmir – LHP

Kansas City lineup: Gordon – LF, Escobar – SS, Butler – DH, Hosmer – 1B, Cain – CF, Francoeur – RF, Perez – C, Tejada – 3B, Johnson – 2B, Santana – RHP

Royals Game Notes (PDF file):  Game #20 vs Cleveland (2)

Trivia fact: Alcides Escobar needs two hits to reach 500 for his career!

Tonight’s game between the Kansas City Royals and the Cleveland Indians has been postponed due to rain. The game has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 28 at 7:10 p.m. CT as the second game of a split doubleheader. Both games will be carried live on 610 Sports Radio and the Royals Radio Network.

The first game of the split doubleheader will begin at 1:10 p.m. Following the game, Kauffman Stadium will cleared with gates reopening at 6 p.m. for the 7:10 p.m. game.

Fans with tickets to tonight’s game can use them for admission to the second game only on Sunday. Fans should maintain their parking receipts, which will be useable for the 7:10 p.m. game.

KC hosts Cleveland tonight in the first of a 10-game homestand.  Tune in on FOX Sports Kansas City or the Royals Radio Network!

Cleveland lineup:  Brantley – LF, Kipnis – 2B, Cabrera – SS, Swisher – RF, Giambi – DH, Santana – C, Reynolds – 1B, Chisenhall – 3B, Stubbs – CF, Kazmir – LHP

Kansas City lineup:  Gordon – LF, Escobar – SS, Butler – DH, Hosmer – 1B, Cain – CF, Francoeur – RF, Perez – C, Tejada – 3B, Johnson – 2B, Santana – RHP

Royals game notes (PDF file):  Game #20 vs Cleveland

Trivia fact:  Billy Butler has 971 hits.  His next hit will put him past David DeJesus and into ninth place in Royals history.  Fred Patek is eighth with 1,036.