The Kansas City Royals continue their four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday afternoon in Tampa Bay. The Royals are in full rebuild-mode and are featuring a lineup that has several youngsters getting significant playing time. The Rays, meanwhile, are in the thick of the American League wildcard playoff race and need to put together series wins. On the mound on Saturday will be lefty Kris Bubic (2-7, 5.11) of the Royals taking on righty Drew Rasmussen (7-4, 2.80) of the Rays. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05pm EST.
The Kansas City Royals continue their roster overhaul and have had some quality results thus far. Catcher/outfielder MJ Melendez has shown power and speed batting near or at the top of the order for a good portion of the season, Bobby Witt Jr. looks like the future superstar that the Royals were banking on him being and now second baseman Michael Massey is being given a chance to play regularly. Massey blasted his first major league home run in Thursday night's loss and should be given ample opportunity the rest of the way to prove his worth. On Friday night, the rebuilding Royals were led by their young budding stars. Witt Jr. blasted a two-run home run early and Massey hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning to give the Royals a 3-2 win in extra innings.
Brady Singer heads to the mound for a Friday evening matchup vs. the Rays.#TogetherRoyal pic.twitter.com /iGD5Y3hH4B
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 19, 2022
The Royals have not only featured a number of up-and-coming positional players, they have showcased a number of young pitchers this season as well. Kris Bubic, Max Castillo and Daniel Lynch are all Royals' starters that are 25 or younger. Brad Singer, who has shown the potential to be a potential staff ace, is just 26 years-old. The left-handed Bubic will take the mound on Saturday afternoon against the Rays. Bubic is 1-1 with a 3.56 ERA in his last five starts. Bubic has faced the Rays once this season and gave up just four hits and two runs in seven innings work.