Series preview: Pirates head to KC for two games with Royals

Pittsburgh Pirates (20-32) vs. Kansas City Royals (25-26), May 31-June 1, 2021

Location: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO

TV: AT&T Sports Pittsburgh

Radio: KDKA-AM

Royals SB Nation Site: Royals Review

After splitting their first series last month, the Pirates and Royals are meeting again to complete their season series.

Here’s a look at what we can expect this weekend:

Projected Starters

Monday, 8:10 p.m. EST

Chad Kuhl (0-1, 6.32 ERA) vs. Mike Minor (3-2, 4.83 ERA)

Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. EST

Wil Crowe (0-3, 5.67 ERA) vs. Brady Singer (2-4, 4.91 ERA)

Projected Lineups

Pirates

1. Adam Frazier (2B)
2. Ben Gamel (DH)
3. Bryan Reynolds (CF)
4. Jacob Stallings (C)
5. Gregory Polanco (RF)
6. Erik Gonzalez (3B)
7. Will Craig (1B)
8. Kevin Newman (SS)
9. Ka’ai Tom (LF)

Royals

1. Whit Merrifield (2B)
2. Carlos Santana (1B)
3. Salvador Perez (C)
4. Jorge Soler (DH)
5. Andrew Benintendi (LF)
6. Hunter Dozier (RF)
7. Adalberto Mondesi (SS)
8. Kelvin Gutierrez (3B)
9. Michael Taylor (CF)

Chad Kuhl is set to make his first start since April 18 on Monday. In his first four starts of 2021, he posted an 0-1 record with a 6.32 ERA. Kuhl was the team’s Opening Day starter and Monday is his opportunity to look more like that guy that Derek Shelton entrusted with kicking off the season.

On Tuesday, the series finale, Wil Crowe will take the mound also looking for his first win on the young season.

Since the two teams met in late April, the Royals have moved from the top record in the major leagues to a 10-18 record that puts them in the middle of the pack.

This is an opportunity for the Royals to build some confidence and get over .500 and for the Pirates to get the nasty taste out of their mouths from Sunday’s loss.