The Royals won their 4th straight to open a home series vs. the Rangers. Here’s how it affects the AL Wild Card playoff chase.

The Kansas City Royals have all of a sudden started to play much better baseball as of late. With a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night, they came t

The two-run shot in the eighth inning against Texas on Tuesday night merely padded the lead for Kansas City, which went on to a 5-2 victory. It was the fifth straight win for the Royals, who closed to within 2 1/2 games of an AL wild-card berth and are within nine games of the first-place Tigers in the AL Central.

When the Rangers arrived in Kansas City on Sunday night, they knew how big of a week it was -- four games at Kauffman Stadium and then another three at home against the Guardians, two of the three tea

Amid a tightly contested AL Wild Card race, the Kansas City Royals failed to get the help needed elsewhere to lessen their gap from the postseason positions.

Jack Leiter has a 2.95 ERA in his last eight starts and has won his last three decisions. His 97 mph fastball is one of the best heaters in baseball, with opponents hitting just .200 against it. He has a 4.60 ERA on the road.

Worst cast: The Yankees finish the season on a mediocre note, while the Red Sox and Mariners look strong down the homestretch and the Yankees finish in the No. 3 Wild Card spot. This team isn't missing the playoffs.

These odds suggest a competitive matchup, with the Royals slightly favored. The run line indicates that the Royals are expected to win by at least two runs, while the total points suggest a potentially high-scoring game. Kansas City Royals: Michael Wacha (7-9, 3.35 ERA)