Royals' 10-game road trip kicks off with visit to Sixth City
The last eight games between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians have been about as even as it can get. Both teams have won four contests and no team has won more than one game in a row.
Royals vs. Indians -- Last 8 Games (Since April 28, 2015)
| Royals | Indians | |
| Wins | 4 | 4 |
| Runs | 38 | 39 |
| Hits | 68 | 64 |
| OBP | .316 | .318 |
| SLG | .411 | .411 |
The Royals, however, have won five of their nine matchups overall with the Indians so far this season, including two of the three meetings in Cleveland.
AL, Most Days Between Being 22+ Games over .500 -- All-Time
| Team | Days | Range |
| Cleveland Indians | 13,042 | 9/2959 - 6/14/95 |
| Chicago White Sox | 11,211 | 10/3/20 - 7/251 |
| Kansas City Royals | 9,430 | 10/1/89 - 7/27/2015 |
| St. Louis Browns | 7,984 | 10/1/22 - 8/10/44 |
And if you are looking at one particular player to get hot this series, look no further than Eric Hosmer. The All-Star first baseman is hitting .361 with three doubles, one triple, three homers and 13 RBI in nine games against Cleveland this season. Hosmer has 10 home runs and 49 RBI in his career against the Indians -- the most homers and RBI in his career against any opponent.
The Royals haven't been 22 games over .500 since the end of the 1989 season (October 1). A win Monday would end that drought, currently the third-longest gap between days 22 games over .500 in American League history.
Hosmer (10/24/1989), Kelvin Herrera (12/31/1989), Salvador Perez (5/10/1990), Yordano Ventura (6/3/1991), and Cheslor Cuthbert (11/16/1992) weren't even born the last time Kansas City was 22 games over .500.
Edinson Volquez possesses one of the best changeups in all of baseball. Newly acquired teammate Johnny Cueto has a good changeup as well.
Lowest Opponent Batting Average vs. Changeup -- 2015
| Player | Opponent Batting Average |
| Zack Greinke (LAD) | .141 |
| Scott Kazmir (OAK-HOU) | .155 |
| Edinson Volquez (KC) | .164 |
| Cole Hamels (PHI) | .185 |
AL, Highest Batting Average on Mondays -- Since 1945
| Player | Average |
| Bob Nieman | .362 |
| Vladimir Guerrero | .352 |
| Minnie Minoso | .350 |
| Ted Williams | .348 |
| Salvador Perez | .347 |
Perez, a career .279 hitter, turns into a Hall of Fame caliber batter on Mondays.
