While going 1-6 in their last seven games, the Royals have been outscored 60-16. Four of those losses came to Tampa Bay, which goes for its eighth straight win Thursday. Junior Caminero is hitting .452 with 20 RBI in his last eight games. It's unclear which team has the starting pitching edge, but the Rays' pen is in better shape. KC's pen owns an MLB-worst 5.40 ERA.

The Rays have won seven straight, four of those vs. the Royals as part of two series. The pitching has given up 0-2 runs in four of five. The same can’t be said of the KC staff, which has allowed 10-plus runs in three of its last six. Tampa’s OPS on the road the last two weeks is .962, its OPS in that span vs. right-handers is .898. KC pitcher Stephen Kolek has either been great or horrific, and the pen behind him is at 8.43 for an ERA since mid-June.