Kansas City Royals Week Eight Review: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not

Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

1. Yordano Ventura

During a week that saw some truly horrific pitching performances, the Kansas City Royals needed a spark from their starting rotation. Yordano Ventura certainly provided that boost for the Royals last week.

As the starter in the Royals marathon eleven inning loss to the Cubs, Ventura did his part. Ventura pitched seven excellent innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk, striking out six batters. It was the type of performance that the Royals had been waiting for all season.

This type of outing may be a springboard for Ventura through the rest of the season. He closed out May with two solid outings in his last three starts, and has allowed only five runs in his last 21 innings, striking out 19 while issuing only three walks. That is exactly what the Royals need from the pitcher who they envisioned as taking over the role as the staff ace.

Yordano Ventura may finally be starting to get comfortable in his role as the staff ace. If so, that could go a long way towards solidifying the Kansas City Royals starting rotation.

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