<\/p>\n
The Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles will search for any edge they can find to try to climb from the depths of the American League pecking order.<\/p>\n
The teams will begin a three-game series Friday night in Baltimore.<\/p>\n
The Orioles, who are in last place in the AL East, have lost four straight home series, going 1-2 in each. The most recent was this week against the Chicago Cubs, with Baltimore avoiding a sweep by winning 3-2 on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
The Royals, who sit last in the AL Central, will face a last-place team for their second series of the week. They lost the final two games of a three-game visit to the New York Mets, falling 7-3 on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Kansas City hasn\u2019t won a road series in its last four stops, though it did go 2-2 against the AL-best Tampa Bay Rays last month.<\/p>\n
The Royals could see a significant lineup boost this weekend with the expected return of first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who hasn\u2019t played in the majors since June 13 due to a right hamate fracture and has been on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe feels like he is ready to go,\u201d Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. \u201cHe is trying to see pitches and judge his health.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pasquantino is considered one of the cornerstones of Kansas City\u2019s offense, though he has struggled with a .224 batting average and 32 RBIs this year. However, he has an eight-game hitting streak he put together before sustaining the injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is a guy that knows how to deal with the mental part of it, which is just as big as the physical,\u201d Quatraro said.<\/p>\n
The Orioles mixed things up Thursday by putting designated hitter Adley Rutschman in the lead-off spot. It probably won\u2019t be the usual setup, as Rutschman is often behind the plate as the catcher.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t have to scramble to take his gear off and go,\u201d Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said of the situation with Rutschman as the DH. \u201cThe perfect storm of his DH day and see what it looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n
Baltimore received a two-run, game-winning single from pinch hitter Jeremiah Jackson in the eighth inning Thursday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s extremely self-confident, and he knows his ability,\u201d Albernaz said. \u201cHe\u2019s always prepared, and he does a great job of getting his swing off.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Royals lost two of three games at home to Baltimore from April 20-22.<\/p>\n
The Orioles on Friday will start right-hander Brandon Young (7-2, 3.38 ERA), who will aim for his fifth win since the beginning of June. His victory in an 8-5 game Saturday at Cincinnati came despite Young giving up four runs.<\/p>\n
Right-hander Luinder Avila (4-3, 5.05 ERA) is listed as Kansas City\u2019s starter for the series opener. He has transitioned from the bullpen and logged four or more innings in four straight assignments. He has a personal three-game winning streak covering his last four outings, including Sunday\u2019s 5-2 victory when he held the visiting Philadelphia Phillies to one run and three hits in five innings.<\/p>\n
Both projected starters are in their second seasons in the majors. This will be the first time they face their respective opponent.<\/p>\n
\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n