MLB Game Preview - LA Angels at Kansas City

Sun Apr 28, 2019 2:15 PM EDT

Kansas City went into the offseason with a plan of taking advantage of team speed. They added Billy Hamilton to an already speedy lineup that includes Whit Merrifield, Adalberto Mondesi and speedy reserve Terrance Gore.

And of course, there's Hunter Dozier.

Dozier, who has not played defense since coming out of a game on Tuesday in Tampa because of back soreness, became the first designated hitter with two triples in a game since David Ortiz did it July 22, 2004. Dozier's usual stat line doesn't involve speed. He leads the American League with a .713 slugging percentage.

"It doesn't (look like his back is bothering him)," Royals manager Ned Yost said of his new speedster. "He's really swinging the bat well."

Dozier was one of many hitting stars for the Royals, who defeated the Los Angeles Angels 9-4 on Saturday. They'll play the rubber game of the series Sunday when Matt Harvey (0-2, 8.03 ERA) of the Angels faces Homer Bailey (2-2, 5.63 ERA) of the Royals.

It will be the first rubber game of the season for Kansas City. They've won only two series, but they won the first two games both times, including a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians.

While Harvey has struggled so far this season, he's coming off his best start of the season. Harvey allowed two runs on three hits over six innings, taking a no-decision against the Yankees April 22. Prior to that, he gave up 18 runs on 22 hits in 12 2/3 innings.

Meanwhile, Bailey had his shortest outing of the season in his last start, after allowing just one earned run in 13 innings in his previous two starts. He lasted just one inning (plus four batters) in his last start at Tampa. He gave up four runs on three hits and four walks. It was his shortest outing since June 24, 2017.

Speed likely will be a part of the story again Sunday, especially if the Royals are able to grab the series. The Royals lead Major League Baseball with 28 stolen bases and the Angels have allowed the second-most stolen bases (24).

The Royals also lead MLB with 14 triples. Dozier is actually the second Royal to have two triples in a game. Mondesi did that on Opening Day.

The Angels have had to shuffle pitchers on and off the 25-man roster because of injuries and ineffectiveness. They had to use five pitchers in Saturday's game.

"Most of the time this year they get it, because it has to do with having fresh arms in the pen," Angels manager Brad Ausmus said of the frequent roster moves. "They understand that that's necessary to win games."

That is a relatively new phenomenon in baseball, over the last five years, especially with pitchers. They get moved up and down from Triple-A, sometimes Double-A.

"Pitchers with options get accustomed to the fact that it could happen. Unfortunately, for the pitcher sometimes it's not even reflective of performance. It's just necessity. Most of them are very understanding. They're not happy about it, but they at least understand it."

The Royals' bullpen has been better recently. Kansas City relievers have a combined 3.07 ERA since April 15. And with Saturday's starter Jorge Lopez only going 3 2/3 innings, Yost depended on his relief corps in a big way.

"The bullpen was fantastic," Yost said. "(Scott) Barlow, (Jake) Diekman and (Ian) Kennedy with a great outing, and Wily (Peralta) with a big outing. The cool thing is pretty much all those guys will be ready to go again tomorrow."

--Field Level Media