Same Matchup, Same Team As Kansas City Visits The Bronx To Take On New York

New York played Kansas City last week starting on  Tuesday that started a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium now all they're doing is switching venues as Kansas City will visit Yankee Stadium to open a four -game series today.

The same two pitchers will open the series with New York right -hander Michael Pineda who has a record of 4-2 with a 3.42 earned run average is coming off a win in his last start against Kansas City where he permitted four runs three of them were earned and six hits in an 11-7 win.    Although he served up homers to Salvador Perez and  Whit Merrifield. He will go up against Kansas City left -hander Jason Vargas who has a record of 5-2 with a 2.03 earn run average. He is still seeking his first career win against New York. In last weeks start he allowed six runs which were the most runs he'd given up in a game this season. "according to https://www.mlb.com/gameday/royals-vs-yankees/2017/05/22/490767#game_state=preview,game_tab=,game=490767

New York meanwhile has a record of 25 -16 and is coming off a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay Sunday while they're at the top of the  American League East. 

It was left -fielder Brett Gardner and 6"7 282 pounds of twenty - five-year-old rookie Aaron Judge that did the damage at the plate for New York to avoid the sweep by Tampa Bay.

  Brett Gardner hit a two-run homer and Aaron Judge preserved the lead with a sensational diving catch as the Yankees withstood Chris Archer's season-high 12 strikeouts, snapping their three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over the Rays on Sunday at Tropicana Field. "according to tohttp://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/231541394/gardner-judge-lead-yankees-win-over-rays/

 Brett Gardner's second-inning blast was his eighth homer in the past 20 games, exceeding his total for all of 2016. Didi Gregorius had four hits, including a run-scoring single off Archer, who permitted six hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings while accepting his second straight loss." according to http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/231541394/gardner-judge-lead-yankees-win-over-rays/

Kansas City meanwhile has a record of 18-25 and are coming off from playing a doubleheader on Sunday where catcher Salvador Perez did most of the damage for Kansas City as he clubbed three -home runs in the split against Minnesota that included two in an 8-4 loss in game two. The trio of homers tied Bill Pecota for a franchise record in a twin bill. And his 13  career homers at Target Field is the second most by an opponent, behind Toronto's Jose Bautista's 14  blasts." according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/231683678/royals-salvador-perez-hits-three-home-runs/

Salvador Perez had this to say about his performance against Minnesota "I like playing here," Perez said. "Everywhere I go, I try to do the best I can to help my team win. It's a good place for me, Minnesota." "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/231683678/royals-salvador-perez-hits-three-home-runs/

In Game 1, Perez gifted Kansas City an early advantage with a two-run jack to left off a knuckle curve from Minnesota's Phil Hughes  According to Statcast, the ball traveled an estimated 422 feet with an exit velocity of 106.3 mph. In addition, it also tied Mike Macfarlane for most homers (93) in club history by a catcher.

As a team, the Royals recorded three more blasts in the 6-4 win. Salvador Perez then had little time to look over the scouting report of Twins rookie lefty Adalberto Mejia for the nightcap.

But it wouldn't matter. Perez lifted a 1-1 changeup over the left-field wall in the first inning to give Kansas City a brief 2-0 lead, before dropping the finale. Meanwhile, Salvador Perez had this to say about Adalberto Mejia. 

"I didn't know [Mejia], I have never faced him," Perez said. "I watched a couple videos and looked for a part of the plate, and hit two pretty good. He has pretty good stuff."

He took Adalberto Mejia deep again to lead off the fourth, depositing a 1-1 fastball into the seats in left-center field. The ball traveled an estimated 409 feet with an exit velocity of 111.3 mph, per Statcast™, and Perez matched Pecota's 28-year-old record. "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/231683678/royals-salvador-perez-hits-three-home-runs/

Perez came up just short of an extra-base hit in the sixth, as Max Kepler made a running grab to rob Perez. According to Statcast™, the ball had an 88 percent hit probability. "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/231683678/royals-salvador-perez-hits-three-home-runs/

"I thought he swung the bat extremely well," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "A couple homers, three on the day, and another line drive that Kepler made a great play on. He's swinging the bat really well." "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/231683678/royals-salvador-perez-hits-three-home-runs/

Regardless, it appears Perez is swinging the bat as well as he can at just the right time, as the Royals continue a critical road trip against the Yankees and the Indians. "according to http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/231683678/royals-salvador-perez-hits-three-home-runs/

Will Michael Pineda be as sharp as he was in his last start against Kansas City? Will he not give up any home runs this go around to Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield? Will the New York offense be able to backup his start? Will Kansas City starter Jason Vargas allow six runs or more like he did last week? Will the Kansas City offense be able to back up his start so he has a chance to get his first career win against New York? 

First pitch is set for 7:05. The game will be televised on Yes.