SEATTLE — The Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners have faced similar circumstances this season.
Both teams started poorly and rebounded to sit near the .500 mark and remain in the American League wild-card race.
And both are looking to strengthen their position in the final week before the All-Star break. The teams open a three-game series Monday night at Safeco Field.
Right-hander Ian Kennedy (2-6, 4.72 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Royals, who defeated visiting Minnesota 6-2 on Sunday to move into a second-place tie with the Twins in the AL Central.
The Royals (41-40) took three of four games in the series and are a half-game behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL’s second and final wild-card berth.