Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Royals: 4 things to watch

2 of 5

May 6, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dylan Bundy (37) throws a pitch in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Bundy, Tillman, and Gausman to lead Orioles rotation in Kansas City

To say the Royals’ offense has been struggling is an understatement.

Alex Gordon has played in 33 games, with 120 at-bats and is hitting .158. Brandon Moss, who has been the primary DH, is hitting .150. Alcides Escobar, who will lead off on Friday night, is hitting .189 in 34 games and 122 at-bats. Jorge Soler, who the Royals acquired from the Cubs for Wade Davis, is hitting .056 in 18 at-bats after coming off the disabled list.

Kansas City’s wins above average by their outfielders is -1.8, one of the worst in baseball. Which is notable because Lorenzo Cain has the second best WAA by center fielders, behind only Mike Trout. Adam Jones, by the way, is fourth, with Jacoby Ellsbury and the Yankees in between.

The Orioles will throw Dylan Bundy on Friday, Chris Tillman on Saturday and Kevin Gausman on Sunday, sending arguably their three best pitchers to the mound.

The Royals’ offense has picked it up recently, scoring more than five runs twice in winning a mid-week series with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Can the Orioles’ pitching return them to their slumping ways? If so, maybe they can stay away from their beleaguered back-end of the bullpen.

Home/Baltimore Orioles