The Kansas City Royals already know attempting to intimidate them won't slow them down.
Texas looks to continue its power surge against the host Royals as the teams resume their four-game series Tuesday night.
The Rangers homered four times in Sunday's 8-3 win over Cleveland, then blasted five more in Monday's 8-4 victory over Kansas City as Texas (80-54) moved four games ahead of second-place Oakland in the AL West.
Texas has won three of the last four meetings with the Royals (60-74) and will look to keep rolling with help from Matt Harrison, who hopes to bounce back from a rough outing.
Harrison (15-8, 3.30 ERA) allowed seven runs and 12 hits - including a career worst-tying three homers - in 5 1-3 innings of an 8-4 loss to Tampa Bay on Wednesday. He had given up three earned runs over his previous three starts combined.
The left-hander, though, was solid in Kansas City on Aug. 3, giving up two runs over 6 2-3 innings of a 5-3 victory.
Jeremy Guthrie allowed three runs in six innings in that contest, and he'll oppose Harrison again Tuesday.
The right-hander allowed 10 hits but only one run in 7 1-3 innings to beat Detroit 2-1 on Thursday, improving to 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA over his last five starts.
Guthrie (3-3, 3.86), though, is 0-3 with a 5.82 ERA in his last four starts versus Texas, and Young is 11 for 28 (.393) with a homer and three doubles off him.
Guthrie didn't give up a homer to the Rangers the last time he faced them, but he ranks among the worst in the majors with 26 allowed.
Rangers are 5-1 in their last 6 road games.
Rangers are 5-1 in their last 6 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
Rangers are 5-1 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Rangers are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road favorite.
Rangers are 12-4 in their last 16 overall.
Rangers are 6-0 in Harrisons last 6 starts as a road favorite of -151 to -200.
Rangers are 11-0 in Harrisons last 11 road starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Rangers are 23-3 in Harrisons last 26 starts vs. a team with a losing record.
Rangers are 14-2 in Harrisons last 16 starts as a road favorite.
Rangers are 8-2 in Harrisons last 10 starts vs. American League Central.
Royals are 8-1 in their last 9 games as a home underdog.
Royals are 6-1 in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Royals are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a left-handed starter.Rangers are 4-1 in Harrisons last 5 starts vs. Royals.
Rangers are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Kansas City.
Rangers are 17-7 in the last 24 meetings.
The Rangers are coming around and are now in position to make a run. What does that mean? It means they have to hold off the A's that are only 4 games back. The Angels are 8 games back which of course still should concern anyone. Regardless, when these boys get going they'll be hard to stop. Since the bad series they had against the Yankees they've gone 12-4 against some good teams and won the series against all of them...Orioles, B-Jays, Rays, and now Indians. They should take this 4 game series against the Royals as well. Momentum is the key for them right now but with Harrison on the mound it gives them an even better chance. This is the time of the year pitchers make it or break it down the stretch...Harrison will make it. Take the Rangers tonight on the ML and RL. Guthrie is getting some love here so we get a much lower line than should be out there. Rangers it is. Good Luck
TEX RANGERS -145
TEX RANGERS -1½EV
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