The Texas Rangers come into Kansas City for the first time ever with the title of “defending champs.” Former Royals pitcher Chris Young built a team that bested the Arizona Diamondbacks last fall to bring the first World Series championship to the Dallas metroplex.
The Rangers have gotten off to a pretty good start in their title defense, but have gone 7-9 against teams that made the playoffs last year. They’re already without All-Star third baseman Josh Jung, as well as All-Star pitchers Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom, and pitcher Nathan Eovaldi left his start this week with groin tightness.