Jeremy Guthrie on the mound is bad enough. Jeremy Guthrie pitching on the road is even worse, especially in a great hitter's park like Great American Ball Park.




Guthrie shouldn't even be in the Royals' starting rotation. His 7.66 ERA in 10 road starts is the second-worst among pitchers with at least 50 innings away from home.




Before his last start, Guthrie had given up 17 earned runs, including six homers, in three previous starts spanning 18 innings. Guthrie held the Angels to one run in six innings during his last outing, which came at home.




You have to go back to late June/early July to find the last time Guthrie pitched well in back-to-back games. The over is 15-5-1 (75%) in Guthrie's last 21 starts after he allowed two runs or less in his previous game.




Rookie Keyvius Sampson has pitched surprisingly well during his first three big league starts. However, this is the first time he's facing an American League team. The Royals rank fourth in batting average and ninth in runs scored.




Both bullpens have some wear, too, after last night's 13-inning game.