KC Royals Return Home After Another Losing Road Trip

The KC Royals got off to a strong 3-1 start on the just completed road trip before losing four straight games. Our Kansas City Royals close out the first half of 2016 with four games against Seattle this weekend.

When the KC Royals set off for St. Louis they were second behind Cleveland and after getting swept in Toronto they see themselves in fourth place behind the Indians, Tigers and White Sox. They’re two games over .500 which is concerning while being impressive given their injuries plus ineffective starting pitching at times.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups
Thursday, 7:15 pm – James Paxton/LHP (2-3, 4.24) v. Danny Duffy/LHP (4-1, 3.11)
Friday, 7:15 pm – Hisashi Iwakuma/RHP (8-6, 4.43) v. Yordano Ventura/RHP (6-6, 5.26)
Saturday, 6:15 pm – Wade Miley/RHP (6-5, 5.36) v. Edinson Volquez/RHP (7-8, 4.87)
Sunday, 1:15 pm – Taijuan Walker/RHP (4-7, 3.66) v. Chris Young/RHP (2-8, 6.90)

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – It’s hard to say that the Kansas City Royals are underdogs in three of the four match-ups we could see starting this weekend. Starting pitching has been one of this teams biggest issues 84 games.

More from KC Royals News

• Why the KC Royals might think about Eric Hosmer
• KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: Help from the Halos?
• KC Royals Hot Stove News: A pair of free agent deals!
• Grading the KC Royals: The good and bad of Nick Pratto
• KC Royals Hot Stove News: Trades, signings, more

Game 1: Paxton has been one of the pitchers that Seattle continues to wait on and develop into a star for them, injuries and inconsistencies plague him. Duffy has been the teams MVP for starting pitching so far and he’s only been starting a couple months.

Game 2: Iwakuma has been a pain for the KC Royals in the past just with how he mixes up his pitches to cause troubles. Ventura tweaked his ankle in his last start running the bases which cut it another rough start short.

Game 3: Miley was the author of the M’s 6-0 victory on April 30th at Safeco, he’s been average in every start since. Volquez struggled in the Kansas City Royals 6-2 defeat to start that series, which is disapointing given his previous start.

Game 4: Walker was roughed up on May day which was the KC Royals only win in their series in the Pacific Northwest. Ned Yost says that a decision hasn’t been made on who’ll start Sunday so don’t be surprised if Young doesn’t with all his struggles.

Series Outlook – It’ll be a welcomed sight when the Kansas City Royals return to Kauffman Stadium where they’re 27-11 compared to 16-30 away from home. Seattle is a much better road team by comparison at 19-23, it’ll be their first trip to the K since watching the AL Central clinched last season.

Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cruz are the two focal points of the Mariners offense but other parts will sneak up on you. Seven runs in three games at Rogers Centre is concerning especially given the lack of runs outside Kendrys Morales, obviously production needs to pick up in other parts.

Prediction – The KC Royals take three of four

2016 Meetings
When these teams met in late April, Seattle took two of three which was the first sign that Kansas City Royals’ trouble away from home. The Mariners won 1-0 behind Felix Hernandez, 6-0 with Miley baffling our boys in blue. Ian Kennedy hurled a gem in Kansas City’s 4-1 win with Wade Davis getting the save.

Franchise History
All-time the KC Royals are 222-207 against their AL West foes, which includes a mark of 121-96 in the City of Fountains.

TV/Radio Coverage
FOX Sports Kansas City will broadcast the last four games before the All-Star Game break with Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler. Joel Goldberg and Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery host Royals Live before and after the games.

On the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in KC) will be Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart.

Next: Kendrys Morales' Back Locks Up

Game Notes:
Seattle Mariners
Kansas City Royals