Royals Starters Can’t Rain On This Parade

Sep 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher

(11) pours Gatorade on the celebration after center fielder

(6) drove in the winning run against the Chicago White Sox in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

It seems no man can stop these Kansas City Royals.  Let’s hope Mother Nature doesn’t.

The Royals are rolling in almost every possible way. If I’m playing for Baltimore, I am more than happy to see tonight’s game get pushed back. The Orioles are on the road, away from their families, focusing on the series. The Royals are the toast of the town, home with all of their friends and family, able to take a quick break from the series.

I’m not suggesting these Royals are destined to fall prey to a lack of focus. I am saying they are a group of young, human beings vulnerable to mental and emotional blips. A rain out is most certainly a blip. Take that for what you will.

Games 3 and 4 offer real opportunities for Baltimore to get back into this Series. Game 3 has Jeremy Guthrie throwing against Wei-Yin Chen. Game 4 has Jason Vargas dueling Miguel Gonzalez. The stats say The O’s have the edge in starting pitching in both games. The weather says these will be game’s for pitchers, so does the stadium.  If the Royals split these two games, they are in beautiful shape. If the Royals lose these games, it’s a whole new series.

The Royals amazing out-field defensive has been a big part of their winning, but they have really bashed their way to a 2-0 series lead. Most Royals fans would have said the team would need to win this series on the back of great pitching. So far, only the bull-pen has made this thinking look sound. The starting pitching has been disappointing. This can’t continue.

I am optimistic this won’t continue. The Royals played a long season and got themselves in the play-offs via great starting pitching, with excellent relief and defense. It is logical to expect that starting pitching to step back up, just less likely with game 4 and 5’s starters. It’s also logical to expect this home-run binge to sober. So how does this rinse out?

Look for the Royals to win 1 of these 2 games in low scoring contests. The Royals top of the order will continue its success, scratching out just enough runs. Look for the return of “Big Game James” in game 5, as he pitches the Royals to the World Series.

The Royals have won this October with miraculous hits, incredible defense, and stellar relief pitching. They’ll punch their World Series ticket with their starters.