Breaking down the Royals’ remaining opponents and series

Texas Rangers (three games)

When/where: Sept. 1-3 at Kauffman Stadium

Game times/TV: 7:10 each night on Fox Sports Kansas City

Rangers record: 53-81 (through Friday)

Season series: Royals lead 2-1

Key hitters:

Key starting pitchers:

Lee Judge’s take: Don’t let a bunch of no-names beat you. The Rangers have had a lot of injuries (Shin-Soo Choo and Prince Fielder are out for the season, for example), and that means the Royals are facing their replacements. The toughest pitcher a hitter might face is a pitcher he’s never faced before. Same goes for a pitcher facing an unfamiliar hitter. You can read the scouting reports and watch video, but until you face someone live, you don’t know for sure. And if they’re smart, the replacements will play hard; it’s a chance for them to show the manager and front-office guys what they can do at the big-league level. Don’t come in thinking you’ve got it made and then get beat by someone you’ve never heard of.

New York Yankees (three games)

When/where: Sept. 5-7 at Yankee Stadium

Game times/TV: 6:05 Sept. 5, Fox Sports Kansas City; 3:05 Sept. 6, Fox Sports 1; 12:05 Sept. 7, Fox Sports Kansas City

Yankees record: 70-63 (through Friday)

Season series: Series tied 2-2

Key hitters:

Key starting pitchers:

Judge’s take: Don’t get caught up in the hype. When the Royals visit Yankee Stadium, it will be a non-stop Derek Jeter Fest. If you’re standing at second base getting teary-eyed and enjoying your moment with a Future Hall of Famer, you’re probably not paying attention to what’s going on in the game. Step on the Yankees’ throat and congratulate Jeter on a great career after you beat the hell out of his team.

Detroit Tigers (six games)

When/where: Sept. 8-10 at Comerica Park; Sept. 19-21 at Kauffman Stadium

Game times/TV: 6:08 each night Sept. 8-10, Fox Sports Kansas City; 7:10 Sept. 19, 6:10 Sept. 20, 1:10 Sept. 21, all games Fox Sports Kansas City

Tigers record: 73-60 (through Friday)

Season series: Tigers lead 9-4

Key hitters:

Key starting pitchers:

Judge’s take: Get their starting pitchers out of the game as early as you can and do some damage against their bullpen. Whenever possible, work around Miguel Cabrera — don’t let their best player beat you. Victor Martinez is key: If Martinez is hot, you might have to pitch to Cabrera. If Martinez scuffles, you can avoid Miggy and put the pressure on someone else.

Boston Red Sox (four games)

When/where: Sept. 11-14 at Kauffman Stadium

Game times/TV: 7:10 each night on Fox Sports Kansas City

Red Sox record: 59-75 (through Friday)

Season series: Red Sox lead 3-0

Key hitters:

Key starting pitchers:

Judge’s take: Avoid David Ortiz. He’s a big-game-drama guy and might get tougher late in the game, especially if it’s an important at-bat. And don’t let Dustin Pedroia beat you with his glove, bat or mind. The Red Sox second baseman has a reputation for being one of the smartest players in the game; he’ll recognize a situation before you do and use that knowledge to beat you.

Chicago White Sox (seven games)

When/where: Sept. 15-17 at Kauffman Stadium, Sept. 25-28 at U.S. Cellular Field

Game times/TV: 7:10 each night Sept. 15-17 on Fox Sports Kansas City; 7:10 Sept. 25-26, 6:10 Sept. 27, 1:10 Sept. 28, all on Fox Sports Kansas City

White Sox record: 60-74 (through Friday)

Season series: Royals lead 8-4

Key hitters:

Key starting pitchers:

Judge’s take: Keep Adam Dunn in the ballpark. Dunn has more than 450 home runs, and he goes for the cheap seats with almost every swing. Like Victor Martinez in Detroit, pay attention to the guy hitting behind Dunn. If that guy hits well, you may have to pitch to Dunn; if not, maybe you can work around him. And don’t let Paul Konerko beat you on an off-speed pitch. At this point in his career, Konerko has a “slider-speed” bat, which means he can’t catch up with a good fastball unless he starts his swing early. If you throw him an off-speed pitch, don’t hang it.

Cleveland Indians (four games)

When/where: Sunday at Kauffman Stadium; Sept. 22-24 at Progressive Field;

Game times/TV: 7:07 Sunday, 6:05 p.m. Sept. 22-24. All games on Fox Sports Kansas City except Aug. 31, which is on ESPN2.

Indians record: 69-64 (through Friday)

Season series: Series tied 7-7 (through Friday)

Key hitters:

Key starting pitchers:

Judge’s take: Corey Kluber is tough on Kansas City — the Royals have hit .203 off him — so if he’s one of the pitchers the Royals will face in that three-game series, make sure you win the two other games. The Indians can struggle defensively, so get the ball in play and be aggressive on the base paths. Make the Indians make plays.