Kansas City Royals Rewind: Lorenzo Cain Continues to Amaze

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, the Kansas City Royals claim of being the best team in the American League took quite a bit of a hit. They were swept by the Houston Astros, who were their greatest threats to taking over as the top American League squad. Fortunately, the Royals were able to maintain their lead over the Minnesota Twins, splitting the four game series.

Obviously, this was not the type of performance that the Royals had hoped for. After their solid performance last week, and with the four game set against the Twins, it was a time to gain as much separation as possible. Instead, while the Royals did not slip back to the rest of the division, that separation just did not happen.

Of course, there were mitigating circumstances with this week. Eric Hosmer missed the series in Houston with a finger injury, and Alcides Escobar was also dealing with an injury of his own. Likewise, the Royals shorthanded rotation did not do themselves any favors this week.

Yet, even with these problems, the Royals are still in first place, and are the obvious favorites to win the American League Central. There is still plenty of work that needs to be done on the roster, and another three months to go in the season, but this is still a nice start.

Before we turn the page entirely on the week that was, let us take a final look back at the Kansas City Royals performances for the week. Let us begin with those who struggled during Week 13.

Next: An inauspicious debut

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Dusty Coleman

When Kansas City Royals utility infielder Christian Colon was sent to Omaha in favor of Dusty Coleman, it was a curious move. A 28 year old career minor leaguer, Coleman was expected to potentially provide a bit more offense than Colon. At least, that was the hope.

Well, Coleman’s debut got off to a rough start. Entering the game as a pinch runner in the bottom of the ninth, Coleman was on third with one out when Mike Moustakas lifted a fly ball to medium right. Coleman tagged up, hesitated, then hesitated again as he was caught in a rundown, leaving the game tied at 2-2 and heading into extra innings.

The Royals would win that game an inning later, leaving one to hope that Coleman would get another chance to redeem himself. He then was 0-2 with a strikeout when given the chance to swing the bat. But hey, at least Coleman made contact!

Hopefully, Dusty Coleman’s tenure with the Kansas City Royals is not marked by those issues attempting to score from third. It was, however, a truly inauspicious debut.

Next: Beware of Moose

Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Moustakas

It was a rough week for the Kansas City Royals Mike Moustakas. He ended up needing to leave the game on Sunday due to a family situation, and his timetable to return is unknown. *Moustakas was placed on the bereavement list – our thoughts are with him and his family at this difficult time.*

It may be that whatever that family situation was had been weighing on Moustakas’ mind over the past week. Before leaving on Sunday, Moustakas had posted a .080/.179/.080 batting line, with one run scored. While Moustakas drew three walks and only struck out twice, he just was not close to being the player that we have come to expect this season.

The expectation is that when Moustakas is able to return, he will be able to provide the Royals with the offensive firepower that we have come to expect. Indeed, Moustakas has been a different batter for much of this season, spraying the ball around the ballpark with authority. Weeks like this past one have been few and far between.

The Kansas City Royals need Mike Moustakas to be the type of hitter he has been for most of the season. Hopefully, everything will be resolved soon, and Moustakas can once again focus on baseball without anything being wrong with his family.

Next: Reverting to form

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Guthrie

Heading into Jeremy Guthrie’s start on July 3rd, the Kansas City Royals had lost four consecutive games. In the midst of a series against the Twins, the Royals needed Guthrie to come through and put an end to the bleeding.

He did exactly that. While Guthrie did not factor in to the decision, he allowed only two runs on five hits and a walk in his 7.2 innings. Guthrie struck out four batters, and continued to prove that he is that steady veteran presence that the Royals need in the back of their rotation.

Seemingly every time there is a pitching move to be made, Guthrie is expected to be the one to lose his slot in the rotation. Yet, for the most part, all Guthrie has done over his past few outings is give the Royals quality innings while churning out inning after inning, letting the bullpen rest.

Jeremy Guthrie may not be the most exciting pitcher, and he may drive fans of the Kansas City Royals insane at times, but he was excellent last week. These are the types of outings that the Royals need from Guthrie going forward.

Next: That what speed do

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Jarrod Dyson

It is strange to see someone with only eight at bats listed as one of the hotter players for the week, but Jarrod Dyson certainly deserves his spot upon this list.

For the week, Dyson was only 2-8, but those two hits went for a double and a triple. He drew two walks, stole a base and drove in three runs. Perhaps the most significant run came in the game against the Twins on Friday night, when his slow ground ball to first led to Lorenzo Cain scoring the game winning run, meaning that Jeremy Guthrie’s solid start was not in vain.

With the struggles that the Royals have had in right, it may be that Dyson receives more playing time going forward. Alex Rios also had a solid performance this week, producing six hits in 23 at bats, but he has not been close to the same player he was at the start of the season.

The opportunity for more playing time in the Kansas City Royals outfield is there for Jarrod Dyson. If he keeps playing like he has over the past few weeks, it is going to be hard to keep him out of the lineup.

Next: Y'all got any more of that LoCain?

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Lorenzo Cain

Some days, it seems as though Lorenzo Cain is everywhere on the diamond. His ability to cover virtually every corner of the outfield, and his prowess with the bat this season, have helped Cain explode as one of the emerging stars in baseball.

Last week was a perfect example of what Cain provides to the Royals. He produced a stellar .423/.483/.654 batting line, with four doubles and a triple. Cain scored four runs, drove in three and stole a base. He was almost entirely the Royals offense last week, as the only player aside from Drew Butera to hit above .300.

During the playoffs last year, the nation got to see Cain’s coming out party. Now, with another year under his belt, Cain is proving to be the type of player that is a true cornerstone for a franchise. As the Royals look to lock up more of their core group, Cain has cemented himself upon that list.

Lorenzo Cain’s excellent week was capped with the announcement that he would be one of the four Kansas City Royals starting the All-Star Game this year. With the way he has played over the past two seasons, Cain may find himself as a part of many more.

Next: A Look at the Royals All-Stars