Kansas City Royals Rewind: Greg Holland Continues to Dominate

Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals set off on their first West Coast road trip this past week, facing the Seattle Mariners for three games before heading down the coast to take on the Oakland A’s. While neither team had an excellent record heading in to their contests, these treks to the other side of the country can be a bit difficult.

Well, the Royals handled their end of the trip about as well as one could have hoped. Despite a 7-0 loss on Tuesday, the Royals finished the week 5-1, putting a bit more distance between themselves and the second place Minnesota Twins.

This was also a week for milestones. Both Edinson Volquez and Jeremy Guthrie recorded their 1000th career strikeouts this week, and while neither are exactly a threat to challenge Nolan Ryan‘s career mark, it is still a nice achievement.

Of equal importance was how the series against the A’s went. Not only did the Royals sweep Oakland, but they did so without another beanball war breaking out. There will not be any suspensions, any fines and any talking heads regarding the Royals as the worst thing to hit baseball since the wave. Even better, Kelvin Herrera will not have a restraining order placed against him that precludes him from setting foot in California again.

Now that the Kansas City Royals are approaching the halfway point of the season, let us take a final look back at the week that was. First, we begin with the players that struggled last week.

Next: A tale of two outings

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jeremy Guthrie

It was a tale of two outings for Jeremy Guthrie this week. He had a solid outing yesterday against Oakland, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk in the Kansas City Royals victory. However, in his previous start against the Mariners, Guthrie was rocked for six runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings of work.

Overall for the week, Guthrie posted a 6.23 ERA and a 1.727 WHiP between both outings. Obviously, the sheer numbers do not truly tell the tale, as Guthrie’s outings were so different, but such is the life of a fifth starter.

This has essentially been how Guthrie has performed all season. He will string together a few solid outings, then get shelled before getting back on track. Of course, his performance has been much better than the rough start that he had back in April, as Guthrie was 2-2 with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.324 WHiP during the month of June. Those are certainly excellent numbers for a fifth starter.

We all know what Jeremy Guthrie is at this point, and he has been a solid member of the Kansas City Royals rotation for the past three years. Chances are, he will continue to be a solid arm in the back of the rotation for the rest of the year, aside from the occasional bump in the road.

Next: Not an All-Star performance

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Eric Hosmer

Last week was not a good week for Eric Hosmer. First, the Kansas City Royals first baseman was passed by Miguel Cabrera as the starting first baseman for the All-Star Game, leaving he and Alex Rios as the only Royals without a starting spot. Then, Hosmer did not do himself any favors in the vote, as he struggled mightily with the bat.

Last week, Hosmer produced a .208/.208/.208 batting line, neither drawing a walk nor getting an extra base hit. While Hosmer did drive in two runs and steal a base, he also struck out four times in his 24 at bats.

Fortunately for the Royals, even if Hosmer is not swinging the bat well, he is valuable in quite a few other ways. His defense at first more than makes up for any struggles that he may have, especially as Hosmer has become the gold standard at the position. Even if he is not hitting, Hosmer is still able to make an impact upon the game by flashing the leather.

While Eric Hosmer may have struggled at the plate for the Kansas City Royals, he likely still considered the week a success, especially during his off day on Thursday.

Next: Still waiting for the bat to heat up

Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

1. Alex Rios

For most of the year, the Kansas City Royals have had holes in their lineup at either second or right. While Omar Infante is starting to heat up offensively, the same cannot be said for his counterpart, Alex Rios.

Last week, Rios struggled once again, producing a .143/.174/.143 batting line, with three singles and getting hit by a pitch in his 23 plate appearances. Rios did drive in two runs, but he also struck out six times. On the plus side, Rios did manage to work the count, seeing the fifth most pitches of anyone on the Royals last week.

When he came back from the disabled list, it was expected that Rios would help get the offense back in gear. Even though his return helped the Royals get out of their doldrums and climb back out on top of the American League Central, Rios has only produced a .181/.216/.205 batting line with two doubles since his return on May 31st. The ability to hit for extra bases, and the dynamic player that the Royals saw through the first week of the season, just has not been there.

At this point, it may be time for the Kansas City Royals to be concerned about Alex Rios’ performance. Despite most of the focus for an upgrade on offense being directed at second base, right field deserves a look as well.

And now, on to the top performers for the Kansas City Royals last week.

Next: Staking a claim to a spot in the rotation

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kendrys Morales

When the Kansas City Royals needed to find an upgrade in the lineup, the signing of Kendrys Morales did not appear to be that boost they would need. After all, Morales struggled during the 2014 season, leaving most “experts” to wonder if he had anything left in the tank. The Royals, meanwhile, were gambling that they would be getting the Morales from 2009 through 2013, when he was a proven power hitter and run producer.

Thus far, they have been correct, as Morales has been exactly what they had hoped for. He continued to punish the opposition last week, posting a .304/.385/.478 batting line, with a double, a home run and three RBI.

Morales has also been more than just a power bat in the lineup. He has also brought an element of patience and selectivity to the Royals that has been wearing off on the other hitters. Even if the Royals are still last in the American League in walks, they are looking for pitches to drive, and typically have not been missing.

Kendrys Morales has been yet another free agency hit for Dayton Moore and the Kansas City Royals. While he may not threaten the thirty home run mark, Morales has still provided that power element that the Royals needed.

Next: The Saveman

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Greg Holland

Looking back, it seems as though any concerns we may have had about Greg Holland being able to continue as the shutdown closer that the Kansas City Royals have been accustomed to were overblown. Yes, he may have had his struggles early, but Holland appears as though he is truly back to form.

This week was vintage Holland, as he was virtually perfect in his three appearances. In his 2.2 innings of work, Holland stuck out five while allowing only one walk, as he was a perfect three for three in save opportunities. This is the Holland we have all come to expect.

Holland also leaves the Royals in an interesting position after this season. At some point, they will need to make a decision between Holland and Wade Davis, who appears to be a dominant closer in waiting. Can the Royals truly afford to keep both pitchers, spending that much money on a dominant back of the bullpen?

For now, Greg Holland may be the best closer in baseball, and the Kansas City Royals may well have the best bullpen overall. Holland’s stellar performance this week is just another in the long line of dominance that we have come to expect.

Next: KC Royals Trade Targets: Clay Buchholz, Jeff Samardzija