The Kansas City Royals, their hopes for playing October baseball pinned exclusively to finding a way to secure their second consecutive Wild Card berth, begin an important three-game series with the Cubs at Wrigley Field Monday night.
They stayed within reach of that goal by avoiding an improbable series sweep with a 7-4 victory over Miami Sunday, meaning they can improve their position — or damage it — in the three games they'll play on Chicago's North Side before returning home to face AL Central rival Cleveland Friday night.
Adding to the intrigue of facing the high-flying 59-40 Cubs at Wrigley is the presence on Chicago's roster of old KC friend Brad Keller, who lost his way in Kansas City but is now, in his first season in the NL, a key component of the Cubs' bullpen.