Central teams in different leagues are going to be in each other's way all weekend. This second battle of a three-game set between the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers is set for Saturday in Milwaukee's American Family Field. When these teams met last in 2021, the Royals swept the season series. In 2020, the Brewers swept the season series. Will that pattern continue in 2023 now that these clubs are duking it out again? At 7:10 p.m. EDT, we'll be one step closer to knowing if another season sweep is in the cards.
When a team starts as poorly as the Kansas City Royals did this season, any stretch of winning is welcomed. Entering this series, that stretch was four wins in five games after winning a four-game set against the White Sox. Their offense, which was arguably baseball's worst in April, has been red-hot in May. Coming into this weekend, only the Los Angeles Dodgers were averaging more runs per game in May than Kansas City's 6.70. However, they were only swinging at home so far, whereas Milwaukee will offer a different backdrop for hitters. Let's see if Salvador Perez, Vinnie Pasquantino, and the rest of the cast can bring the lumber with them on the road.
Ope, just gonna squeeze by here. #WelcomeToTheCity pic.twitter.com/2miAxdOBar
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 11, 2023
If Zack Greinke can twirl a vintage performance in his old stomping grounds, the bats may not have to do much. The 20-year vet hasn't exactly been his best in 2023, although the Royals have won three of his last four starts. Through eight turns of the rotation, Greinke owns a 1.7 HR/9, which would represent a career-worst over a full season. His FIP (5.01), H/9 (10.4), and ERA- (117) are all on pace to be the second-worst he's ever posted in a single season. To make matters worse for this game, he's allowed 15 runs (14 earned) in 13.2 innings on the road in 2023. Considering the bullpen behind him is 27th in collective ERA, the offense will probably have a lot of work to do.