The Tampa Bay Rays 18-9 mark is the best in baseball and they and took two of three against the American League-worst Kansas City Royals home at Tropicana Fields last week.

In that series, the Rays reached KC's Brad Keller (2-2, 3.41 ERA) for five runs on seven hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings of a 6-3 win and I expect them to put another beating on the right-hander tonight.

Tampa Bay hands the ball to Ryne Stanek (0-0, 1.32 ERA) who will act as the "opener" in today's contest. He has not allowed a run in his six starts through 9 1/3 innings of work. Stanek has made three career appearances against the Royals, holding them to three hits and no runs through 4 2/3 frames.

Rays are 7-1 in their last 8 during game 1 of a series. Rays are 20-7 in their last 27 road games. Royals are 2-6 in their last 8 during game 1 of a series. Royals are 8-44 in their last 52 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

10* play on Tampa Bay Rays.