TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Rays host the Kansas City Royals on Monday at George Steinbrenner Field, with first pitch set under clear skies and a game-time temperature of 90 degrees. The Rays (43-31) send right-hander Drew Rasmussen to the mound. Rasmussen is 6-3 with a 3.12 ERA, coming off a win June 9 against Boston in which he threw seven innings of three-run ball. The Royals counter with righty Michael Wacha, who is 4-5 with a 4.67 ERA. Kansas City (32-46) has lost five of its last six games after Sunday’s 12-10 defeat at home to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Royals’ offense has been driven recently by first baseman Jac Caglianone, who is 10 for 25 over his last seven games with five home runs and 10 RBIs. He homered twice Sunday. Tampa Bay has won four of its last five, including Sunday’s 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. Right-hander Nick Martinez, who earned the win in that game with six innings of three-run ball, is a key recent contributor for the Rays. Both teams open a four-game series. The game simulator from Interstat projects a 5-4 Rays victory. Tampa Bay is a -1.5 favorite, with the over/under at 7.5. The series continues Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Steinbrenner Field. Kansas City then travels to Chicago for three games against the White Sox, while Tampa Bay returns home to host Arizona.