Diamondbacks Vs. Royals, Series Preview: D-Backs Head to KC For First Interleague Matchup Of 2012

The Arizona Diamondbacks are stuck in a bit of a funk, but are hoping to shake things up and turn their ship around with their first interleague series of the season against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium.

Arizona has won just three of their last 10 games, while the Royals have begun to fight back after their 12-game losing, wining 12 of their last 19 matchups. But with Chris Young on the mend and the top of the rotation taking the bump this series, Arizona could make up some ground this weekend in the NL West.

Lefty Joe Saunders (2-3, 3.43) takes the bump on Friday, squaring off against the Royals' Luis Mendoza (2-2, 4.76). Saunders finds himself 0-2 with a 12.96 ERA in his last 2 starts after starting the season 2-1 with a 1.24 ERA in his first five. Medonza earned the victory in an emergency appearance in his last outing with 5.2 innings of one-run ball against the White Sox after starter Danny Duffy left with an injury.

First pitch is set for 5:10 p.m. PT with coverage on Fox Sports Arizona, KTAR 620, ESPN Deportes 710, and Jose 106.9, while Fox Sports KC & 610 Sports in with have coverage in the Kansas City area.

Ian Kennedy (3-3, 3.81) takes on lefty Bruce Chen (2-4, 4.34) in Saturday's game, with Kennedy looking to stop the bleeding after three straight losses. He bested the Royals on June 22 of last year at Kauffman Stadium, giving up just one run in six innings pitched, though has had his problems in interleague play with a 2-4 record and 5.76 ERA in 7 interleague starts, including going 1-4 with a 6.37 ERA in AL ballparks.

As for Chen he's coming off of two straight wins including 6.2 innings of one-run ball against Texas. First pitch is at 4:15 p.m PT with coverage on FOX Network in both regions, KTAR 620, ESPN Deportes 710, and Jose 106.9 in AZ and 610 Sports in KC.

Have breakfast with the D-backs on Sunday when Wade Miley (4-1, 2.52) takes the bump. Kansas City is yet to name a starter for this game.

Miley has been pitching very well as of late, getting four wins in his last five starts including a victory over the Dodgers in his last outing. First pitch will be at 11:10 a.m. PT with Fox Sports Arizona, KTAR 620, ESPN Deportes 710, and Jose 106.9 will have coverage in AZ. Fox Sports KC & 610 Sports will have coverage in the Kansas City area.

Arizona swept the Royals in their interleague meeting last season at Kaufman Stadium, a similar outcome would certainly do them some goos this time around.

For more on the D-backs, check out AZ Snake Pit. For the Royals side of the story, check out Royals Review.