Opposite dugout: Royals cruising toward AL Central crown

Manager: Ned Yost (6th season)

Record: 75-48

Last 10 games: 7-3

Who to watch: 1B Eric Hosmer (.317 with 14 HR, 74 RBIs), CF Lorenzo Cain (.307 with 24 SB), 2B Ben Zobrist (.321 with 4 HR, 13 RBIs), DH Kendrys Morales (.283 with 13 HR, 85 RBIs), RHP Johnny Cueto (2-2, 3.00 ERA), RHP Greg Holland (3.55 ERA, 28 saves)

Season series vs. Orioles: 1st meeting (4-3 in 2014)

Pitching probables:

Aug. 24: RHP Ubaldo Jimenez vs. RHP Kris Medlen, 8:10 p.m., MASN
Aug. 25: RHP Miguel Gonzalez vs. LHP Danny Duffy, 8:10 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 26: LHP Wei-Yin Chen vs. RHP Johnny Cueto, 8:10 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 27: RHP Chris Tillman vs. RHP Yordano Ventura, 2:10 p.m., MASN

Inside the Royals:

The Royals were on fire, having won 10 of 12 games until they hit Boston for a four-game weekend series in which they split after dropping the first two games. Even with that bump in the road, Kansas City has a comfortable 12 1/2-game lead in the American League Central over the second-place Twins. They won't surprise the Orioles in this rematch of last year's American League Championship Series and catch Baltimore struggling a bit, though hungry to remain in the American League East race.

The same blend of speed and defense that frustrated the Orioles in the ALCS last season is still on display. The Royals have the fourth-best average in the majors (.268), the sixth-most hits (1,116) and the fifth-most stolen bases (82). Kansas City doesn't mash the ball - as the fourth-fewest homers (96) suggests - and has just enough pitching to keep opponents at bay. The Royals are tied for the fifth-best ERA in the bigs (3.53), along with the sixth-fewest runs allowed (454). Kansas City's bullpen is as dominant as ever, leading the majors with a 2.35 ERA and 26 wins.

First baseman Eric Hosmer is having the breakout season many have long predicted and leads the Royals with a .317 average. With a little bit of a power surge, he'll be able to turn his 14 home runs and 74 RBIs into career highs (he had 19 homers as a rookie in 2011 and 79 RBIs in 2013). The Royals have been getting a lot of production from designated hitter Kendrys Morales, who is an AL Comeback Player of the Year candidate with a .283 average and 85 RBIs. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain may be the Royals' best all-around player and is hitting .307 with 24 stolen bases and playing strong defense. Catcher Salvador Perez's power stroke has blossomed and he currently leads Kansas City with 17 homers. Since coming over from Oakland just ahead of the non-waiver trade deadline, versatile Ben Zobrist has hit .321.

Right-hander Kris Medlen will get the call for the Monday series opener and will be making his first start of the season after going 1-0 in seven relief appearances. Medlen, who is being eased into things while coming back from his second Tommy John surgery, will take the rotation spot of ex-Oriole Jeremy Guthrie, whose 5.65 ERA is the second-highest by any qualified starting pitcher in the major leagues. Though it's a small sample size, Medlen has limited foes to a .200 average and a .167/.200/.333 slash line at home. His first pitch is critical; Medlen has a .172 average against with an 0-1 count, but a .333 mark with a 1-0 count. With none on and none out, opponents bat .455 against him. This will be his first start since 2013. He's 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA in six relief innings lifetime against the O's.

Tuesday starter Danny Duffy is a fastball/slider pitcher, who has gone at least six innings in eight of his 10 starts. He's 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four August starts after going 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA in five July starts. His trouble zone is well defined: From his 31st through 55th pitches, Duffy allows a .328/.426/.517 slash line. Overall, foes hit .270 against the lefty, but only .240 since the All-Star break. In two games (one start) against the Orioles in his career, Duffy is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA.

On Wednesday, the Birds get their first look at righty Johnny Cueto, acquired by the Royals at the trade deadline from Cincinnati. He's 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in five starts in the AL, but was roughed up in his last start, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 13 hits in six innings at Boston on Aug. 21. For the most part, Cueto has been an innings eater this season, logging six or more innings in 21 of his 24 starts. A 96 mph fastball is only one of five pitches in his repertoire, and opponents are hitting only .212 against him overall. Since the All-Star break, he's allowed a .251/.302/.369 slash line.

Right-hander Yordano Ventura starts the getaway day finale on Thursday and is hoping his sophomore season is finally back on track. He's been up and down this year, was briefly sent to the minors to work out the kinks and is 5-2 in eight starts since returning to the rotation. His most recent start, Aug. 22 at Boston, saw Ventura throw six innings of six-hit, one-run ball and was the fifth time in six outings he's gone at least six frames. Ventura may finally be learning he can not rely so heavily on a 100 mph fastball - he's integrated his curve, cutter and changeup into his repertoire 39 percent of the time this season. Opponents are hitting .256 against him, with left-handed swingers slashing .271/.339/.453. With runners on, he struggles to a .318/.366/.520 slash. The numbers say it's possible to get to Ventura early - from his 15th to 30th pitches, he yields a .333/.382/.420 line. Ventura is 1-1 with a 1.26 ERA in two career starts against the Orioles, not including his win over them in Game 2 of last year's ALCS.