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On Tuesday, the Royals beat the Cardinals 5-1. Yesterday, they beat the Cardinals 5-2 in extra-innings. If they win today, that's called a winning streak. It has happened before.
Unfortunately for the Royals, it actually hasn't happened before. At least through 49 games this season. Kansas City gotten this far into a season without a three-game winning streak since 2005, when it took them until June 2. The season before that, it took them until June 18.
The Royals have some time to get their first three-game winning streak of the season before it starts to get 2004 Royals bad, but it would be nice if they could start tonight.
On the mound for Kansas City will be Danny Duffy, who is in the midst of the worst stretch of starting pitching in his career. Duffy has given up at least four runs in five of his last six starts, including four starts where he has given up at least five. He has also given up at least 10 hits in two of those six starts. Before that, he had surrendered at least 10 hits in just two of 134 starts.
So he could use a strong outing.
He will be facing a Texas team that he utterly dominated last season, giving up just one run across 15.2 innings, including a July 15 loss that saw him go a season-high 8.1 innings. Most of us will remember that frustrating evening. He will be opposed by 33-year old sophomore Austin Bibens-Dirkx who will be making his first major league start of the season tonight.
Oh, and am I the only one stoked about this?
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 24, 2018
Here are your lineups for the evening.
Austin Bibens-Dirkx makes his season debut tonight as we start a new series with the Royals.
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 24, 2018
Game preview: https://t.co/G6YziC8Seo pic.twitter.com/iHjAnWqkX7
Here is your #Royals lineup for tonight's series opener vs. the Rangers. #RaisedRoyal pic.twitter.com/Y6yvnbTVLS
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 24, 2018