KC Royals Danny Duffy Facing Important Start

By David Hill | May 16, 2015

It is difficult to claim that a start in May should have any more importance attached to it than normal. However, when a pitcher has lasted just 4.2 innings in his previous two starts, allowing ten runs on eleven hits and six walks while hitting two batters, that next start is indeed important. That is what KC Royals starter Danny Duffy is against as he is set to face the New York Yankees tonight.

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Looking at the statistics, it is easy to see that Duffy has struggled this season. He does have a 2-2 record, but that comes with a 5.67 ERA and a 1.710 WHiP. Duffy has also uncorked an American League high five wild pitches in 33.1 innings. After attacking the strike zone last year, resulting in a career low 3.2 walks per nine innings, Duffy has not had that same command.

Perhaps it is a lack of confidence that has plagued Duffy this season. After all, he only has two quality starts in his seven outings thus far, having pitched six or more innings only twice all season. Even then, Duffy has had only one start that was dominant, when he allowed a single run over seven innings against the Tigers on April 30th.

It may be that Danny Duffy and the KC Royals are facing the Yankees at the perfect time. Heading into tonight’s matchup, the Yankees have dropped their last four games, scoring a combined six runs. If there is anything a struggling starter would want to see, it is an offense that is currently scuffling.

However, if Duffy is to get himself on track, he will need to buck his career numbers against the Yankees. In his four outings against the Yankees, spanning 14 innings, he has a 1-1 record with an 8.44 ERA and a 1.857 WHiP. Last year, Duffy only lasted 5.2 innings against the Bronx Bombers, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks. This just has not been a kind matchup for the Royals lefty.

For someone who may be dealing with more of a confidence issue than anything mechanical, facing one of the teams that he has struggled against most may not be what Danny Duffy wants to see. Yet, this is also the perfect opportunity – a solid start against a team he usually does not perform well against could help catapult Duffy to the type of season that the Royals were expecting.

The New York Yankees may not be the team that Danny Duffy and the KC Royals want to see with his recent performance, but the timing may be perfect. If Duffy can get through everything against this team, it could go a long way towards his season.

Next: Dayton Moore was a Genius Last Year

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