KC hosts Chicago tonight at 6:10 – it is Billy Butler bobblehead night! The first 10,000 fans receive the Silver Slugger bobble, presented by Sprint.

White Sox lineup:  De Aza – LF, Keppinger – 2B, Rios – RF, Dunn – 1B, Konerko – DH, Gillaspie – 3B, Ramirez – SS, Flowers – C, Wise – CF, Axelrod – RHP

Royals lineup:  Gordon – LF, Escobar – SS, Butler – DH, Hosmer – 1B, Cain – CF, Moustakas – 3B, Francoeur – RF, Perez – C, Getz – 2B, Guthrie – RHP

Royals Game Note:  Game_26_vs._Chicago

Royals Trivia Fact:  Tonight’s starter, Jeremy Guthrie, has a 0.50 ERA in five starts vs. Chicago since joining the Royals.

NOTE:  Please check @Royals on Twitter for today’s lineup.  Royals notes are available at http://royals.mlb.com/mlb/presspass/gamenotes.jsp?c_id=kc

Manager Ned Yost met with the media in his office today due to the inclement weather.

The weather was the first topic of conversation. Ned said his starter, Ervin Santana, would stick to his usual pregame regimen even with the potential weather issues. He noted that if something changed they would push his routine back. Ned also sounded like the team really wants to get this game in. “It’s a game that creates a lot of problems if we don’t play. We have to try and find a way to play it. It seems like this weather is really picking on us but it’s not just us. A lot of teams are having issues with weather.”

Lorenzo Cain collected his ninth multi-hit game of the season last night. He also recorded his first triple of the season. Yost was asked about Lorenzo’s season so far. “Cain’s season has been outstanding. He is playing great defense and swinging the bat very well. You know, we envisioned Cain being this type of player. That’s why it was so disappointing to us last year to not have him on the field (injuries). When we made that trade we knew the capability he had to be an offensive run produce and a very solid, rangy, center fielder. I am very pleased where he is at this year,” said the manager.

KC wrapped up April at 14-10. Luis Mendoza takes the hill tonight in the first game of May. Tune in on FSKC and the Royals Radio Network (7:10 start).

Rays lineup:  Jennings – CF, Joyce – RF, Zobrist – 2B, Longoria – 3B, Loney – 1B, Escobar – SS, Scott – DH, Lobaton – C, Johnson – LF, Hellickson – RHP

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

Royals Notes (PDF file):  Game_25_vs._Tampa_Bay

Royals Trivia Fact:  Billy Butler is five RBI shy of 500 for his career.

The skipper, Ned Yost, met with the media today in the dugout for his daily pregame presser.

One of the first topics of discussion was team chemistry and what Miguel Tejada brings to that aspect of this team. It was brought to the attention of the media present that Tejada has been influential amongst the players. “He brings a huge presence. It started in spring training with the Latin players. He would gather them all and they would eat breakfast together every day. You know the players gravitate to him because of his experience, energy and passion every day. His work ethic is tremendous so he is a great example and the players really look up to him too,” said Yost.

Last night’s 8-2 victory over the Rays snapped a two-game skid by the Royals. The topic of this team’s ability to stop these skids was brought to the manager’s attention. He was asked what the biggest difference is between this year and years past. Ned said that the biggest difference he sees is the team’s pitching. “I’m not saying we’re never going to have a three or four game losing streak but starting pitching stops all of that and it minimizes that. With the starting staff we have we don’t anticipate any long losing streaks because we have someone who is going to step out on the mound and put an end to that.”

The Kansas City Royals and FOX 4 WDAF-TV have rescheduled the 15th annual School Day at The K pregame program focused on science and weather. With cooler temperatures and possible precipitation forecast for Thursday, May 2, the educational experience led by Fox 4 Chief Meteorologist Mike Thompson and the FOX 4 Weather Team has been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 12 prior to the club’s 1:10 p.m. contest against the Detroit Tigers. The change will allow children to watch FOX 4’s program under milder conditions.

The Royals game versus Tampa Bay on Thursday remains scheduled for 1:10 p.m., as only the School Day at The K demonstration has been rescheduled. Below is the policy for tickets purchased for Thursday’s game utilizing the School Day at The K discount.

SCHOOL DAY AT THE K TICKET POLICY:

OPTION 1

Although FOX 4’s School Day at The K pregame show has been cancelled due to possible inclement weather conditions, the Royals versus Rays game is still scheduled to be played on Thursday, May 2 at 1:10 p.m. The Royals will make every attempt to play the game as scheduled weather permitting. Please note that your School Day at The K ticket is still valid for the scheduled game on Thursday, May 2. If fans decide to attend the game and the above mentioned possible inclement weather conditions would force the Royals to postpone the game before its completion, you may exchange your tickets in accordance with the Royals rainout policy.

OPTION 2

If you decide not to attend the game on Thursday, May 2, the Royals encourage you and your group to exchange your original May 2 – School Day at The K ticket for the rescheduled School Day at The K program now set for Wednesday, June 12 when the Royals host the Detroit Tigers at 1:10 p.m.

School Day at The K Rescheduled Game – Wednesday, June 12:

· 8:30 a.m. Kauffman Stadium gates open

· 9:15-10 a.m. Attendees find open seating in the lower bowl

· 10-11 a.m. FOX 4 meteorology lesson (in the stadium)

· 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch break

· 1:10 p.m. Game time vs. Detroit Tigers

OPTION 3

If you are unable to attend the originally scheduled game on Wednesday, May 2 or the rescheduled School Day at The K on Wednesday, June 12, your original School Day at The K ticket can be exchanged for any Sunday through Thursday regular season home game through August 25 at Kauffman Stadium, excluding May 27 and May 28, in a comparably priced seating category. This option provides fans with an opportunity to see one of over 30 home games. All seating is subject to availability at time of exchange.

HOW TO EXCHANGE YOUR SCHOOL DAY AT THE K TICKETS

If your group purchased School Day at The K tickets from a Royals Group Sales representative and would like to return for the rescheduled program or another mutually agreed upon game as a group, please contact your Royals Group Sales representative.
If your group purchased your School Day at The K tickets as part of a group and would like to attend the rescheduled School Day at The K event or another mutually agreed upon game as individual tickets (not part of the original group), please visit the Kauffman Stadium Box Office to exchange your ticket(s).
If you purchased your School Day at The K tickets online and would like to attend the rescheduled School Day at The K event or another mutually agreed upon game, please visit the Kauffman Stadium Box Office to exchange your tickets(s).
If your group is unable to attend the originally scheduled School Day at The K on May 2 or the rescheduled School Day at The K on June 12, or any other Sunday through Thursday regular season home game through August 25 (excluding May 27 and 28), you can request a refund on tickets as long as all of the original School Day at The K tickets purchased are returned to your Royals Group Sales representative. You may also mail your ticket(s) to the following address with your name, phone number and your one choice of eligible games:

Kansas City Royals

Ticket Services – School Day at The K

One Royal Way

Kansas City, MO 64129

Please Note: All seating is subject to availability at time of exchange. The Royals will make every effort to provide seating as close to your original seat(s) as possible. If seats in your seating category are unavailable for your game of choice, the Royals will make every effort to accommodate you in comparably priced seats.

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.