Game Thread CIV: Royals at Rangers

Today the Royals will attempt to avoid the dreaded 4-game sweep at the hands of the Texas Rangers. This game not only signals the end of the series, but the last time the Royals will face the Rangers this years. None of us will miss them.

The Royals will send Dillon Gee to the mound to face off against the Rangers. Gee is 2-4 with a 6.43 ERA and a better, but not good, 4.71 FIP this season. In his career he's only faced the Rangers once, winning the game while pitching 6 innings and allowing 3 runs on 8 hits with 1 strike out. Ian Desmond, when both players were in the NL, has hit 3 home runs off of Gee of his 12 hits in 43 at-bats. He has also struck out 10 times, for what that's worth.

The Royals offense will try to find the groove they've been missing since the All-Star break against new Rangers starter Lucas Harrell. Harrell was acquired from the Braves last week, where he was 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 3.68 FIP. He's only had 5 starts all year, 3 very good ones and 2 very bad ones. He has 3 career starts against the Royals where he has gone 0-1 while allowing 10 runs in 15.1 innings. Those of course were all years ago when he last pitched in the big leagues before resurrecting his career with the Braves this year. Alex Gordon has the most at-bats against Harrell, and he is 0-7 with a walk and a strike out.

Lineups

7/31 @Royals lineup at TEX
Escobar SS
Cuthbert 3B
Hosmer 1B
Morales DH
Gordon LF
Orlando RF
Butera C
Dyson CF
Mondesi 2B
Gee P

— MLB Lineups (@mlblineups) July 31, 2016

.@LucasHarrell34 makes his Rangers debut as we go for a 4-game sweep of KC! https://t.co/Kd8IrIHNsx #LetsGoRangers pic.twitter.com/AfqPAxAsT0

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 31, 2016

The Royals are closer to last place than first place in the division. Maybe they should all just go home, take some naps, and start fresh next year.