If there is one thing Royals fans can be certain of when Luke Hochevar takes the mound Thursday, it is this: No one knows for certain what to expect.
Fans will be hold their breath and wonder: will we see Jekyll or Hyde? Superman or Bizarro? Luke or Anakin Skywalker?
Remarkably, we’ve seen the good and the bad from Hochevar in the same week already this season.

After dispatching of one division-leading team, the Royals turn their attention to another.
The Orioles arrive at The K for a two-game series and they are remarkably tied for the lead in the East at 23-14.
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun wrote: “The Orioles still had a lot of skeptical fans when they started this just-completed 15-game stretch against four teams (the Yankees, Rangers, Rays and Red Sox) that won at least 90 regular-season games last year. Now that they've gone 9-6 over that span while making about 100 roster moves to fill holes in the rotation, bullpen, left field and third base, you've got to allow that they are definitely a much more formidable team than anybody has seen around here in quite awhile.”

Royals at Texas, 7:05 p.m.

Royals (with RHP Vin Mazzaro)

  Jarrod Dyson CF

  Eric Hosmer 1B

  Billy Butler DH

  Alex Gordon LF

  Jeff Francoeur RF

  Mike Moustakas 3B

  Brayan Pena C

  Chris Getz 2B

  Alcides Escobar SS

Texas (with RHP Colby Lewis)

  Ian Kinsler 2B

  Michael Young 3B

  Josh Hamilton LF

The 83rd All-Star Game is at Kauffman Stadium on July 10. Leading up to that game, The Star is looking back at a Midsummer Classic game every day.

July 16, 1985 National League 6, American League 1 Metrodome in Minneapolis

The American League got off to a quick start, but then its bats were silenced.

Oakland’s Rickey Henderson opened the American League half of the first with a single, stole second and took third on an errant throw. Henderson scored on George Brett’s sacrifice fly and it was 1-0.

July 15, 1986 American League 3, National League 2 Astrodome in Houston

 If Bo Jackson’s monster game in the 1989 All-Star Game was the most memorable for Royals fans, this may have been the most bittersweet game.

 First the particulars of the game: Frank White’s solo homer in the seventh inning proved to be the difference. White’s blast off the Astros’ Mike Scott made it 3-0.

Royals at Texas, 7:05 p.m.

Royals (with LHP Bruce Chen)

  Jarrod Dyson CF

  Eric Hosmer 1B

  Billy Butler DH

  Alex Gordon LF

  Jeff Francoeur RF

  Mike Moustakas 3B

  Brayan Pena C

  Chris Getz 2B

  Alcides Escobar SS

Texas (with RHP Scott Feldman)

  Elvis Andrus SS

  Michael Young 1B

  Josh Hamilton LF

So much for that World Series hangover.
There was much speculation in March that the Rangers could struggle this season after twice failing to record one last strike against the Cardinals in game six of the last year’s World Series.
Instead, the Rangers look like world-beaters. At 23-12, Texas is leading the AL West and has the best record in the American League.
The bullpen has been no problem this season. Heading into Sunday night’s game against the Angels, the Texas bullpen was first in baseball in ERA (1.91), opponent batting average (.197) and WHIP (0.85). However, if you’re looking for an Achilles’ heel, the Rangers have blown 25 percent of their save opportunities (three of 12).

Every Monday morning, a look at the top dozen teams in baseball ... and the best of the rest.

The 83rd All-Star Game is at Kauffman Stadium on July 10. Leading up to that game, The Star is looking back at a Midsummer Classic game every day.

July 14, 1987
National League 2, American League 0, 13 inn.
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland

The National League kept an impressive streak going by winning in the 13th inning.
It was the eighth victory in eight All-Star extra-inning games for the National League.

Royals (with LHP Danny Duffy)
Jarrod Dyson CF
Chris Getz 2B
Alex Gordon LF
Billy Butler DH'
Jeff Francoeur RF
Eric Hosmer 1B
Irving Falu 3B
Alcides Escobar SS
Humberto Quintero C

Chicago (with RHP Phil Humber)
Brent Lillibridge CF
Gordon Beckham 2B
Adam Dunn 1B
Paul Konerko DH
Alex Rios RF
Dayan Viciedo LF
Tyler Flowers C
Brent Morel 3B
Edua

The 83rd All-Star Game is at Kauffman Stadium on July 10. Leading up to that game, The Star is looking back at a Midsummer Classic game every day.

July 12, 1988
American League 2, National League 1
Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati

Oakland A’s catcher Terry Steinbach had a hand in all three runs scored in this game.
In the top of the third, Steinbach hit a solo homer against Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden. An inning later, Steinbach hit an ever-exciting sacrifice fly that got Dave Winfield home and gave the American League a 2-0 lead.

Royals (with RHP Luke Hochevar)
Jarrod Dyson CF
Johnny Giavotella 2B
Alex Gordon LF
Billy Butler DH
Jeff Francoeur RF
Eric Hosmer 1B
Irving Falu
Alcides Escobar SS
Humberto Quintero C

Chicago (with LHP Chris Sale)
Alejandro De Aza CF
Gordon Beckham 2B
Adam Dunn DH
Paul Konerko 1B
A.J. Pierzynski C
Alex Rios RF
Alexei Ramirez SS
Dayan Viciedo LF

Royals at Chicago, 7:10 p.m.

Royals (with RHP Felipe Paulino)

  Jarrod Dyson CF

  Alex Gordon LF

  Billy Butler DH

  Eric Hosmer 1B

  Jeff Francoeur RF

  Mike Moustakas 3B

  Chris Getz 2B

  Alcides Escobar SS

  Humberto Quintero C

Chicago (with RHP Gavin Floyd)

  Alejandro De Aza CF

  Gordon Beckham 2B

The 83rd All-Star Game is at Kauffman Stadium on July 10. Leading up to that game, The Star is looking back at a Midsummer Classic game every day.

July 11, 1989 American League 5, National League 3 Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.

For Royals fans, this may be the most memorable All-Star Game not played in Kansas City.

It was the Bo Jackson show.

He was was the American League’s highest vote-getter and the game’s MVP. Jackson made the voters proud when he led off the first inning with a 448-foot homer to dead center field against San Francisco's Rick Reuschel.

Want to know what to expect from the White Sox this weekend?
Well, it’s really anyone’s guess. This is a Jekyll and Hyde team. Chicago is 15-17 and its longest losing streak has been five games and its longest win streak is four.
Designated hitter Adam Dunn’s batting average is 84 points higher than a year ago -- but he’s hitting just .243 this season. On Wednesday, Dunn struck out in his 36th consecutive game, which according research done by the Indians, is the longest streak since Bob Veale (1967-68).