The Kansas City Royals welcome the San Francisco Giants to Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, July 21 for a 7:40 PM ET first pitch. Kansas City will hand the ball to right-hander Luinder Avila in what shapes up as a meaningful mid-summer test against a Giants club making the trip to the Midwest. San Francisco counters with Tyler Mahle, a veteran arm with big-league experience. The Royals are playing in front of their home crowd, which always adds energy to a Tuesday night at The K, and the lineup they're sending out carries some genuine pop.

Pitching Matchup: Luinder Avila vs. Tyler Mahle

Luinder Avila gets the nod for Kansas City. The young arm is an intriguing piece of the Royals' pitching picture, and a start against a National League club like San Francisco gives the organization a chance to evaluate where he stands. Avila will need to attack the strike zone early and keep the Giants off the bases if Kansas City wants to control the tempo of this game.

On the other side, Tyler Mahle takes the mound for San Francisco. Mahle has been a durable, capable starter at the big-league level, and the Royals' lineup will need to be disciplined and patient against him. Mahle can generate swings and misses, so Royals hitters will have to work counts and not give away at-bats early in the game.

Kansas City Royals Starting Lineup

• 1. Carter Jensen — C
• 2. Lane Thomas — CF
• 3. Jac Caglianone — RF
• 4. Salvador Perez — DH
• 5. Vinnie Pasquantino — 1B
• 6. Starling Marte — LF
• 7. Michael Massey — 2B
• 8. Nick Loftin — 3B
• 9. Tyler Tolbert — SS

Keys to Watch for Kansas City

Carter Jensen Setting the Tone at the Top

Opening the batting order with catcher Carter Jensen is an unconventional look, and it signals that the Royals want his on-base ability at the front of the lineup. If Jensen can get on base and put pressure on Mahle early, it opens things up for Lane Thomas and Jac Caglianone in the two and three spots to drive runs home.

Jac Caglianone in the Middle of It

Batting third, Caglianone is one of the more compelling young power bats in this organization. A matchup against a proven major-league starter is exactly the kind of at-bat that will tell you something about where he is as a hitter. Watch how he handles Mahle's arsenal, especially if runners are on base.

Salvador Perez Anchoring the Cleanup Spot

Salvy in the four hole is exactly what it looks like — the veteran presence and run-producer this lineup is built around. Perez has the ability to change the game with one swing, and Mahle will have to be careful pitching to him with runners aboard.

Avila's Command and Pitch Mix

The biggest question mark on the Kansas City side is what Avila brings to the mound. His ability to keep the Giants off balance through multiple turns of the lineup will be the central storyline of this game. If he can pitch deep into the game and give the bullpen a rest, that is a win for the organization regardless of the final score.

Prediction

The Royals have the lineup depth to put runs on the board against Mahle, and the home-crowd advantage at Kauffman Stadium matters in a game like this. The outcome leans on Avila delivering a quality start. If he can get through five or six innings without a big inning, Kansas City's offense — led by Perez, Caglianone, and Thomas — should be enough. Royals 5, Giants 3.

Catch the game on Royals.TV or listen on 96.5 The Fan and the Royals Radio Network. First pitch is set for 7:40 PM ET.