The Royals have actually been playing decent of late, a sweep by Seattle aside (KC could have won each game). But this is a spot the Cubs usually thrive in, even when they are bad: Off Thursday and the visiting team had to play and travel in on a quick turnaround (even if KC played a matinee today and didn't travel too far). Chicago simply can't lose any of these games, frankly, in its playoff chase. The Royals bullpen is in tatters, too. Cubs starter Jameson Taillon had been on a nice six-start run before getting poutined north of the border last time out by Toronto. I consider that simply a horrible matchup. Few Royals have seen Taillon career.