Play: Texas Rangers
Rating: 10*

The Texas Rangers are still top of the AL West despite having dropped five of six since the All Star break. The Kansas City Royals have lost 11 of 16 games in July and spent Thursday at the White House as President Barack Obama honored the 2015 World Series champions. They're 0-4 in their last four games following an off day and might find it hard to get the focus back on baseball tonight. This looks like a great price on the Rangers.

Kansas City's starting pitcher for the day, Danny Duffy (5-1, 3.27), has impressed since joining the rotation and recorded quality starts in six of his last nine outings. The left-hander is 0-1 with a 7.24 ERA in his three previous appearances against the Rangers though and Texas is 6-2 in its last eight road games vs. a left-handed starter. The Rangers have the best batting average in the majors against left-handers this season at .286.

Yu Darvish (2-1, 3.15 ERA) takes the ball for Texas. He sat out five weeks this season with shoulder discomfort and has made just four starts on the year. He's pitched well in his few starts though and the right-hander is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in two career starts against the Royals.

The Royals are 2-9 in their last 11 games vs. a right-handed starter.