One Royals Loss Does Not a Series Make

Let’s talk about last night. In the Royals most important game in 29 years, and their return to the World Series, they came out completely flat. James Shields looked nothing like the ace he was supposed to be, and may still be feeling the affects of those kidney stones. The offense returned to their mid-July form, when the Royals contact and speed based lineup looked thoroughly anemic. The defense had it’s hiccups as well, as Nori Aoki misplayed a single into a triple. Of all the times for the Royals to go all Royals, they had to wait until Game One of the World Series.

Yes, last night was a rough game, especially after the Royals had rattled off eight consecutive wins to start the postseason. However, that is exactly what it was – one game. At some point in the postseason, the Royals were bound to have one bad game. Fortunately, as it turns out, it happened to come against the pitcher who may well be the second best starter in the National League in Madison Bumgarner. It is not as though the Royals were shut down by Ryan Vogelsong.

Last night’s loss also may have served as a bit of a wake up call for the Royals. After having five days off, and having swept through the postseason up to that point, the Royals now know that they are in for a battle. Bumgarner is a much better pitcher than what the Royals have had to face this postseason. As good as Jon Lester and Jered Weaver may be, they just are not in the same class as Bumgarner.

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Now is not the time to panic. The Royals have been in much worse situations, even this postseason. Remember how hopeless it looked when the Royals were down 7-3 in the eighth inning against the Oakland A’s with Lester on the mound? They rallied and won that game. Even though Bumgarner shut them down last night, the next three starters, Jake Peavy, Tim Hudson and Vogelsong, are not nearly the same type of pitcher. It would seem as though this series is still in the Royals favor, despite their being down a game.

The Royals just need to do what they have done all season – take each game and inning at a time. The bats will start up again, and the Royals speed and contact style will once again be ready to put pressure on the Giants defense. It is not as though the Royals were that far from making last night a more competitive game either – they hit several balls hard, just right at the defense.

Yes, James Shields bombed last night. Yes, the final result was not pretty. But it is still just one game. There is a lot of baseball left to be played, beginning tonight.