Game 33 Preview: Yankees at Royals

I expected the Kansas City Royals to begin making noise in the AL Central. They a slew of prospects waiting to rattle the baseball world. But I expected the rattling to occur in 2012 or 2013, while Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer establish themselves among the league's premier corner infielders, while the lefty triple thread of Danny Duffy, John Lamb and Michael Montgomery hone their craft, and while a supporting cast develops to include the likes of Wil Myers in right field and Jeremy Jeffress in the pen.

Well, Hosmer is here and mashing in his first few games at first base. But the rest of the Royals look like they could be a mirage. But 18 wins are 18 wins, and they sit in second place in the Central behind the equally amazing Indians.

Former World Series Champion Melky Cabrera is in center, former trade chump Wilson Betemit mans the hot corner, and the rest of the lineup is a Who's Who of cast off former top prospects. Alex Gordon (former Royals 3B top prospect) in left and Jeff Francouer in right. Alcides Escobar (Milwaukee, amateur free agent) brings his strong defense and sub .300 OBP to short stop. Chris Getz (White Sox, 4th round) at second.

Kyle Davies has allowed 50 hits in 35 innings of work this season, with another 13 BB for icing on the cake. I sincerely expect that he and Freddy Garcia will trade zeroes into the 11th inning.