Sports: Up next: Royals

Up next: Royals

By JOHN ROMANO

8:05 tonight, 8:05 p.m. Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. Thursday

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THE PAST MONTH: The Royals have not seen as much turmoil as the Rays -- but they are not far behind. Considered a darkhorse contender in the AL Central, the Royals are on the bottom of the division. Manager Tony Muser has been rumored to be on the hot seat and pitching coach Brent Strom was fired Sunday. Bullpen coach Tom Gamboa will be in charge of the pitchers until a replacement can be found. Second baseman Luis Alicea was benched in the middle of a game (Why does that ring a bell?) for failing to run out a foul pop.

SCOUTING REPORT: After a slow start, Kansas City's offense is beginning to come around. Mike Sweeney, Jermaine Dye and Mark Quinn give the Royals three legitimate power threats in the middle of the order. The bullpen was rebuilt and supposed to be a strength, but the Royals continue to blow leads in the seventh and eighth innings and that, ultimately, cost Strom his job.

PITCHING MATCHUPS: Today, RHP Paul Wilson (1-4, 7.26) vs. RHP Brian Meadows (1-4, 7.05); Wednesday, RHP Bryan Rekar (0-5, 5.72) vs. RHP Jeff Suppan (2-3, 4.47); Thursday, RHP Brian Rose (0-1, 6.94) vs. RHP Chad Durbin (1-2, 6.05).

SEASON SERIES: This three-game set closes out the series. The Rays took two out of three from the Royals on April 24-26 at Tropicana Field, the only series Tampa Bay has won this season. The Rays have fared well at Kauffman Stadium in the past, winning 10 of 16 games, their best record in any AL park.

EX-RAYS: Roberto Herandez has been his usual hot-and-cold self. After blowing two of his first three save opportunities, Hernandez rattled off five saves in a row. Then he blew a 4-3 lead in the 10th against the Twins on Friday. Overall, he is 6-of-9 with a 7.56 ERA.

WHO'S HOT: Third baseman Joe Randa's batting average was hovering near the .200 mark before getting hot the past 10 days. Randa was 12-for-26 (.467) going into Monday night's game against the Twins, and he has been particularly strong in the clutch.

WHO'S NOT: With Gregg Zaun on the disabled list, A.J. Hinch and Hector Ortiz have handled catching duties. Neither has been impressive. Ortiz had five hits in his last 34 at-bats (.147) before Monday night. Hinch went into the game hitting .121.