The Royals entered their series with the Rangers, coming off one of their worst weeks of the season, having dropped six straight games. Series sweeps against the Yankees and last-place Athletics put a damper on what felt like a promising season. The team had a players-only meeting and used their Monday off hunting for how they could get the season back on track. As they entered the road trip, the Royals knew they needed to bounce back, and fast.
Entering this series, the Rangers had taken 18 of the last 22 games against the Royals, and Kansas City's struggles in Texas were well documented.