The buy sign is back on Yusei Kikuchi after the lefty held the Twins - the AL's top-scoring team - to one run on six hits in five innings this past Thursday on the road.

The buy sign is never on Homer Bailey, who has a 5.37 ERA. Expect that already-horrible ERA to go up even more as Bailey's ERA has been above 6.00 during the previous three years.

Seattle is the far superior offensive team, too, ranking eighth in the majors in runs and No. 2 in homers. Kansas City, by contrast, rates 25th in runs and 26th in homers.

The Royals are 7-13 against lefty starters this season. They have won just 28 percent of their last 61 away contests.

The Mariners have dominated this series winning nine of the last 10 times, including posting a 4-1 mark this season.