Rays at Royals: Historic win at stake

No pressure, but with a win Wednesday night, the Rays would complete a road trip with sweeps of a pair of three-game-or-longer series for the first time in their 24-season franchise history.

Tampa Bay has had only one other perfect multicity road trip — a five-game jaunt in July 2014, when it went 3-0 in Minnesota and 2-0 in St. Louis.

The Rays beat the Yankees three straight in New York to start this trip, their first sweep this season (and fourth ever of three or more games in the Bronx). A win tonight would mark their fourth sweep in Kansas City (last in 2018) and 11th overall against the Royals.

Michael Wacha is on the mound for the Rays (10-8), coming off his strong outing in New York on Friday, working six scoreless innings, allowing the Yankees one hit and striking out nine. Right-hander Jakob Junis is starting for the Royals.

The five-game winning streak is the Rays’ longest this season and one shy of their 2020 high.

Here is the Rays lineup, with Randy Arozarena off for the second time in four days:

And for the Royals:

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