The last time the Royals faced a National League team, a championship was on the line in the World Series. This time is a little bit different.
Kansas City welcomes Cincinnati to Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday for a brief two-game series with the Reds, one that lifts the lid on the Royals' interleague play. The Royals also host the Cardinals this weekend in the second of eight interleague series this season.
Last season, when they matched up with the National League West, the Royals were the best team in baseball during interleague play, going 15-5 against NL teams. They outscored their opponents 99-56 and became just the third team in the previous eight seasons to register 15 wins against the opposing league.
This year, Kansas City is paired up with the NL Central, a division that features the familiar cross-state St. Louis Cardinals. The club will make trips to play the Cubs, Cardinals, Brewers and Reds. After this week, it won't host another NL team until Milwaukee in mid-June and Pittsburgh in late July.
Catcher Salvador Perez and left fielder Alex Gordon feasted on NL pitching a year ago, combining to hit 11 of their 36 homers during interleague play. Gordon holds the franchise marks for interleague runs (79) and home runs (18). Shortstop Alcides Escobar hit a team-high .333, while outfielder Jarrod Dyson recorded 10 hits despite starting only five interleague games last season.
On the mound, Jeremy Guthrie and Danny Duffy shut down NL bats, owning 1.82 and 2.05 ERAs, respectively. Each had a WHIP below 1.00. But Kelvin Herrera surrendered four of his 11 earned runs a season ago to NL teams, mostly thanks to a three-run outing in an extra-inning loss to St. Louis.
Greg Holland set a franchise record last season by recording nine interleague saves.
The Royals' roster has its own ties to the NL, as well. Manager Ned Yost, center fielder Lorenzo Cain and Escobar were all part of the Brewers' organization, while Omar Infante spent time with both the Braves and Marlins.
Kansas City is 152-171 all-time in interleague play and 88-104 against the NL Central.
You can follow Matthew DeFranks on Twitter at @MDeFranks or email him at matthew.defranks@gmail.com.
