Game 116 Open Thread - Royals vs. Giants

The Kansas City Royals can move to within a 1/2 game of the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central this afternoon if they can defeat the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium.

Danny Duffy will take the mound for the Royals. The southpaw has a 2.39 ERA over 109 innings this year, coupled with a 3.85 FIP. I'm still worried about a pitcher who has a below-average K% and an above-average BB% on the season, especially once his .233 BABIP normalizes. Duffy has certainly looked like a better pitcher this year, but some regression should be expected.

Tim Lincecum will start for the Giants. Lincecum owns a 4.22 ERA with a 3.92 FIP; not terrible numbers but not particularly impressive either. He's been susceptible to the longball the past three seasons, and has pitched poorly with runners on base.

An old friend brings us the Royals batting order, perhaps a little more informally than your normal beat writer:

#Royals today: Aoki - 9 Omar - 4 Sal - 2 Billy - 3 A1 - 7 MoustakAZ - 5 Old Man Raul - DH Escobat - 6 Speed - 8

— Craig Brown (@royalsauthority) August 10, 2014

Michael Morse was a late scratch from the San Francisco lineup, and will be replaced by former Royal great Gregor Blanco. The Giants official twitter account brings us their starting nine.

Updated #SFGiants lineup: Pagan CF Pence RF Posey DH Sandoval 3B Duvall 1B Duffy SS Panik 2B Susac C Blanco LF Lincecum RHP

— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) August 10, 2014

While all the Kevins were at the game last night, I attended a wedding and am still reeling a bit this morning. So please, keep your voices down and no bright lights.