The first 20,000 fans for tonight’s 6:10 start will receive sluggies from Fox Sports Kansas City.  Prizes will be awarded throughout the night as part of “Fan Appreciation Night”.

It is also “Shirts Off Their Backs” night.  Fans can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to go onto the field after the game and receive a game-worn jersey directly from a Royals player or coach!  Proceeds go to Royals Charities and Ronald McDonald House.

Here’s the lineup:

(Blanco – RF), (Aviles – 2B), (Butler – DH), (Ka’aihue – 1B), (Fields – 3B), (Maier – LF), (Betancourt – SS), (Pena – C), (Dyson – CF), (Davies – P)

It’s the last Hy-Vee/Pepsi Fireworks Friday of the year…plus tonight is Futures Night. 

KC’s Minor League Pitchers and Players of the Year will participate in an autograph session from 5:30-6:15 p.m. at Gate A in the Outfield Experience.  They will receive their awards in a special ceremony prior to the 7:10 game. (Please note – award winners Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Everett Teaford are competing for Team USA in the Pan Am games

Here’s the lineup:

(Blanco – RF), (Aviles – 2B), (Butler – 1B), (Ka’aihue – DH), (Fields – 3B), (Gordon – LF), (Betancourt – SS), (Pena – C), (Dyson – CF), (Chen – P)

Tampa Bay is in town tonight for a 7:10 start.  The Rays have clinched a playoff spot and are battling the Yankees for the A.L. East title.

Florida native Zack Greinke has defeated all of K.C.’s American League opponents in his career with the exception of one – the Rays.  Zack is on the mound tonight looking for that first win vs. Tampa Bay…here’s the lineup:

(Blanco – RF), (Aviles – 2B), (Butler – 1B), (Ka’aihue – DH), (Betemit – 3B), (Gordon – LF), (Betancourt – SS), (Pena – C), (Dyson – CF), (Greinke – P)

Aloha and happy Wednesday!  Kila Ka’aihue led the charge in a 10-1 win last night, going 3-for-3 with his first two-homer game, his first Major League triple, plus career highs with four RBI and four runs.  Kila is batting fourth again tonight.  Here’s a look at the lineup:

(Dyson – CF), (Aviles – 2B), (Butler – DH), (Ka’aihue – 1B), (Betemit – 3B), (Gordon – LF), (Betancourt – SS), (May – C), (Miller – RF), (Hochevar – P)

The Royals took a 10-8 win in a back-and-forth contest on Monday vs. Minnesota.  Jarrod Dyson hit his first Major League home run, then tied a club record with 10 outfield putouts in a game (he shares the record with Amos Otis and Carlos Beltran).  Josh Fields put the Royals ahead to stay with a homer in the fourth, and Joakim Soria recorded his 42nd save, tying his career high from 2008.  Soria broke a club record for consecutive scoreless innings by a reliever (currently at 22.2 IP).

Tuesday’s lineup is the same as last night’s, with Sean O’Sullivan taking the mound for KC:

(Dyson – CF), (Aviles – 2B), (Butler - DH), (Ka’aihue – 1B), (Fields – 3B), (Gordon – LF), (Betancourt – SS), (May – C), (Miller -RF), (O’Sullivan – P)

The Royals open a seven-game homestand at 7:10 tonight vs. Minnesota.  Monday is Hy-Vee Royal Nite!  Seats in the Hy-Vee Level (excluding Hy-Vee Reserved Box) are just $5.

Here’s the lineup: (Dyson – CF), (Aviles – 2B), (Butler – DH), (Ka’aihue – 1B), (Fields – 3B), (Gordon – LF), (Betancourt – SS), (May – C), (Miller – RF), (Davies – P)

The Royals will look to follow last night’s 4-2 win as they play game two in Cleveland at 6:05 Central.

Here’s a look at the KC lineup:  (Blanco – CF), (Aviles – 3B), (Butler – DH), (Betemit – 2B), (Ka’aihue – 1B), (Pena – C), (Gordon – LF), (Betancourt- SS), (Maier – RF), (Hochevar – P)

Kansas City and Cleveland open a four-game set at 6:05 tonight.  Billy Butler carries an unusual streak into the game.  He has hit safely in his last 100 series, which is four more than the previous club record of 96 by Willie Wilson.  Here’s the KC lineup:

(Dyson – CF), (Aviles – 2B), (Butler – 1B), (Betemit – 3B), (Ka’aihue – DH), (Betancourt – SS), (Gordon – LF), (May – C), (Maier – RF), (O’Sullivan – P)

The Royals play in Detroit at 6:05.  Tonight’s game will air on Fox Sports Kansas City and the Royals Radio Network.  Here’s a look at the lineup:

(Dyson – CF), (Aviles – 2B), (Butler – 1B), (Betemit – 3B), (Ka’aihue – DH), (Betancourt – SS), (Gordon – LF), (Miller – RF), (May – C), (Chen – P)