Tampa Bay @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 3, 2010 ) Tampa Bay 3, Kansas City 2

THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Rays are hanging around. They survived a 10-game stretch against the Yankees and Red Sox, going 4-6, and head out on a 10-game trip that starts in Kansas City. Only one team (Boston) has more road victories than Tampa Bay (28), which sends Wade Davis to the mound Friday in the first of a three-game set. The Royals are 26-28 at home. This is the first of seven games between the teams this season, after they split eight last year.

TV: 8:10 p.m. EST; FS-KC (Kansas City), SunSports (Tampa Bay).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays RH Wade Davis (7-6, 4.25) vs. Royals RH Luke Hochevor (5-8, 5.23).

Davis makes his first start after going on the disabled list July 7 with a right forearm strain. He is 3-1 in his last four decisions and has allowed seven earned runs in his last four starts. Davis is 1-0 lifetime against the Royals, allowing just two runs in 14 innings. Current Kansas City batters are just 3-for-27 against him. Hochevar is 1-0 his last four starts. He did not get a decision in his last outing July 15, allowing one run over seven innings in the Royals' 2-1 over Minnesota. Hochevar is 0-2 against the Rays in his career, giving up 20 runs in 18 innings. Tampa Bay had 11 hits and nine runs off him in 2 2/3 innings April 29, 2010. Evan Longoria is 4-for-8 with a homer and three RBIs against Hochevar.

ABOUT THE ROYALS (40-58): Kansas City has pitched a bit better since the All-Star break, giving up four runs in their three victories. If that continues, the Royals could be a spoiler down the stretch. They are batting .262, which placed them sixth in the majors through Wednesday. Alex Gordon has been outstanding, batting .297 (.317 in July) with 11 homers and 51 RBIs. Jeff Francoeur, a prime candidate for a deadline trade, leads the team with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs. Melky Cabrera is 8-for-26 since the break, hitting .377 in July, but is questionable for Friday with a stomach virus.

ABOUT THE RAYS (52-45): Casey Kotchman, who started the season in the minors, has finally compiled enough plate appearances to be listed among the league’s top hitters. Despite an 0-for-3 Thursday, he is 9-for-29 since the break with four RBIs to stand third in the majors at .333. Longoria was 4-for-12 in the last series against the Yankees, including a big home run in the finale. Outfielder Sam Fuld has also hit better, hitting in six of the last seven games (6-for-19). B.J. Upton has to turn it around. He is just 1-for-22 the last five games.

FINAL PITCH: The Royals traded infielder Wilson Betemit to the Detroit Tigers for a pair of minor leaguers. Mike Aviles, who was batting .307 with nine homers and 25 RBIs in 35 games at Triple-A Omaha, was recalled to replace Betemit.