The 34-35 Kansas City Royals are happy to see the Yankees leave town and welcome the 26-44 Athletics. At one point earlier this season, the Athletics were showing some scrappy, feisty play and were threatening the Mariners and Astros in the AL West. But they have gone 3-7 in their last 10 games, like the Royals, and have faltered.
The Athletics send Luis Severino to the mound, by far their most expensive player with a $20 million salary this year. Over 83 innings and 14 starts, Severino has pitched to a 3.73 FIP but 4.77 ERA due to a low strand rate.