First Time Royals Face Kirk Division July 28, 1998
MONTREAL (AP)--If the Royals are to advance up in the standings, they will need to come up big in this portion of the schedule against the Kirk Division teams. Especially considering the Royals do not have a winning record against any of their divison rivals. Montreal is 10-12 against Edmonton, 10-13 against Hartford and 10-12 against Deadwood.
Still, it won't be easy: Motor City, Tucson, New Diggens and Medina are all vying for a playoff spot--and will be playing no-holds barred baseball.
Today the Royals will meet the Tucson Border Patrol for the first time this season, and at home. Royals pitching will have to face the most potent offensive lineup in the EL, including Bobby Higginson (.333 BA, 30 HR, 75 RBI), Rondell White (.281 BA, 18 HR, 64 RBI) and Ray Durham (.301 BA, 79 R, 18 HR). It will be a contest pitting the best hitting in the league against one of the best pitching staffs in the league.
"Obviously, our offense is no match for Tucson," says manager Gary Carter. "We'll have to play this series tight defensively. They have some good baserunners. Mike Grace (starting the first game of the series) knows that he can't just pitch around Higginson and White, because the whole lineup can hit."
"The bottom line is we can't make many mistakes on the mound, and we have to take advantage of their pitching, especially their relief."
Leadoff man Tim Raines commented on the upcoming series as well. "The veterans on this team--Danny [Tartabull] and Tony [Phillips]--will have to be the leaders. We have to be going 100% at every chance."
The Montreal Royals will be playing Kirk Division teams until the 30th of August.
