Royals at Rays Preview ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Interstat) — Tampa Bay opens a four-game series against Kansas City on Thursday afternoon at George Steinbrenner Field. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. under partly cloudy skies with temperatures near 93 degrees. The Rays (43-33) enter the game having won two of three against Kansas City this week. They took Wednesday’s contest 5-2 before dropping Tuesday’s series opener 12-5. Kansas City (34-46) turns to right-hander Seth Lugo (3-4, 4.12 ERA). Lugo has allowed three or more earned runs in three of his past five starts. Tampa Bay has not announced its starting pitcher. Players to watch Royals first baseman Jac Caglianone has been one of Kansas City’s hottest hitters. In Tuesday’s win, he went 3 for 5 with two home runs and three RBIs. Over his past 10 games, Caglianone is batting .333 with six home runs and 12 RBIs. Rays third baseman Junior Caminero also had a strong offensive showing Tuesday, going 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs. Caminero is hitting .340 over his last seven games with two home runs and five RBIs. Series context Tampa Bay leads the season series 2-1 after Wednesday’s victory. The Rays have outscored Kansas City 11-9 in the two wins. The Royals’ lone win came in Monday’s 2-1 nailbiter. Tampa Bay has won four of its past seven games overall. Kansas City has won three of four after losing three straight to Washington. In Tuesday’s win, the Royals got 5.0 innings of one-run ball from starter Luinder Avila and third baseman Nick Loftin went 4 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. Projection and betting The Interstat game simulator forecasts a 5-3 Royals victory. Tampa Bay opened as a -1.5 favorite. The over/under is 8. Next up Kansas City travels to Chicago to face the White Sox on Friday. Tampa Bay hosts Arizona for a three-game series starting Friday. The two teams will meet again Tuesday in Kansas City.