Opposite dugout: Royals dealing with injuries, but still pose a challenge

Manager: Ned Yost (7th season)

Record: 30-26

Last 10 games: 4-6

Who to watch: 1B Eric Hosmer (.321 with 10 HR, 35 RBIs), CF Lorenzo Cain (.297 with 8 HR, 34 RBIs), C Salvador Perez (7 HR, 29 RBIs), RF Paulo Orlando (.333), RHP Wade Davis (0.89 ERA, 16 saves)

Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1

Pitching probables:

June 6: LHP Danny Duffy vs. RHP Mike Wright, 7:05 p.m., MASN
June 7: RHP Yordano Ventura vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, 7:05 p.m. MASN
June 8: RHP Edinson Volquez vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m., MASN

Inside the Royals:

When the Orioles left Kauffman Stadium after dropping two of three games in April, the Royals were chugging along, looking quite like defending World Series champs with a 12-6 record. Well, things have changed considerably. Kansas City spent most of May treading water, working hard to stay above .500, and while they continue to challenge for the American League Central top spot, they hit a road block during a weekend series in Cleveland, losing three straight to extend their losing streak to four games. On top of that, the Royals have had a flurry of troubling injuries since they last met the Orioles. Since mid-May, the Royals have reformatted their rotation after losing righty Kris Medlen to right rotator cuff inflammation, and lost outfielder Alex Gordon (right wrist fracture) and third baseman Mike Moustakas (torn knee ligament) to the disabled list. While Gordon could be back by the end of the month, Moustakas is out for the season. Additionally, All-Star catcher Salvador Perez missed a week after a collision with third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert.

Thankfully for the Royals, center fielder Lorenzo Cain has started to heat up after a slow start. After hitting just .220 in April, Cain slashed .351/.397/.577 in May and is starting to flash some power - he's got eight homers and 34 RBIs. First baseman Eric Hosmer is among the league leaders in hits (68) and batting average (.321). Before his collision, Perez had hit in 12 straight games with a .417 mark over that span. Right fielder Paulo Orlando ended May on a 14-game hitting streak, then went hitless in his first three June games. They're still no pushovers, but the Royals lineup is a lot less imposing with Whit Merrifield and Cuthbert replacing Gordon and Moustakas.

Lefty Danny Duffy, who starts the opener, shuttled between the rotation and bullpen last season, moved into the rotation in mid-May and has gone 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA. His last start on June 1 was his best: six innings of three-run ball in which he allowed seven hits with no walks and six strikeouts. But he has yielded three homers over his last 16 innings, which might be a red flag considering how the ball flies out of Camden Yards in warm weather. He's 0-1 lifetime with a 3.48 ERA in three games (two starts) against the Orioles. Right-hander Yordano Ventura gets the Tuesday start and is coming off a June 2 start in which he allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits over six innings. He's had trouble getting past six innings this season, with six such outings in 11 starts this season, but has three straight outings of six or more innings. Ventura has had success against the Orioles, with a career 4-1 record and 1.91 ERA in eight starts, and he held the O's to a run on three hits over seven innings on April 24. Righty Edinson Volquez, who draws the assignment in the finale on Wednesday, has won two of his past three decisions and worked at least six innings in four straight starts. But he's lost the last three decisions he's had when he gave up a home run, which could be problematic at Camden Yards, where has an 8.31 ERA in one career start. He's 0-2 with a 5.40 ERA in four lifetime starts against the Orioles.

The Royals continue to boast the best bullpen in baseball, with a collective 2.55 ERA, and K.C. relievers have posted 12 wins, second only to the Orioles' 17. Because of their 'pen strength, the Royals can shorten games to six innings and put less pressure on their starters. Closer Wade Davis has saved 16 chances in 17 opportunities with a microscopic 0.89 ERA. Righties Kelvin Herrera (1.33 ERA) and Luke Hochevar (2.82 ERA) are the primary setup men.