San Diego Padres vs Kansas City Royals at Petco Park

The Kansas City Royals make the cross-country interleague trip to Petco Park beginning August 1 — a mid-summer series against an American League club that has rebuilt around a core of genuine young talent and arrived at the contention window sooner than most predicted. Interleague baseball in August at Petco carries the energy of a summer that is moving toward its conclusion: the All-Star break recently past, the trade deadline just crossed, the rosters reshaped and the playoff races entering the phase where every series result is felt immediately in the standings. Petco Park in early August has a particular quality — the summer fog usually gone, the evening warm and clear, the capacity crowd fully present for a weekend series against an opponent they will see rarely over the next decade. Kansas City brings a traveling contingent that surprises you with its size and loyalty. Petco Park receives them the way Petco receives everyone: with the knowledge that this is one of the best parks in baseball.