KC Royals: Five Biggest Weaknesses At The Break

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Oct 20, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) talks with members of the media during a press conference the day before the start of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

1. Ace Starter

By far the most glaring weakness of the 2015 Kansas City Royals is the lack of a true ace.

While Edinson Volquez (8-4, 3.31 ERA) and Chris Young (7-5, 3.00) have performed better than expected, none of the KC Royals starts really qualifies as an “ace”. Overall, the Kansas City Royals starters remain a dismal 12th best in the American League with a 4.32 ERA.

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Even that number doesn’t tell the whole story.

KC Royals starters have struggled despite pitching the fewest innings among any American League starting staff, while being backed up by the best bullpen—and best defense—in baseball. In short, the Kansas City Royals starters have failed despite receiving better peripheral support than ANY starting rotation in baseball.

That’s sad.

Rumor indicates that Dayton Moore is chasing Red’s starter Johnny Cueto, and have expressed interest in Jeff Samardzija and Clay Buchholz. Pundits have connected the KC Royals to pretty much every arm thought to be available, including Scott Kazmir, Mike Leake, and even Cole Hamels.

I even suggested the team seek a reunion with James Shields.

While the Kansas City Royals are better able to protect weak starters better than any team in MLB, Madison Bumgarner showed that the “ace” starter can still dominate a short series. A dominant starter that’s “on” can dominate like no other player in the post-season.

The KC Royals still have internal options to help out their rotation in the recovering Kris Medlen, (who should join the Royals from his AAA rehab assignment any time now), John Lamb, and a return to health from fireballing sophomore Yordano Ventura. But, all of those options carry questions.

The Kansas City Royals need a guy they KNOW can dominate in October.

The worst thing that I, or any Kansas KC Royals fan, can imagine is to lose the 2015 World Series to a team with a dominant starter Max Scherzer or Zack Greinke. That’s the fate that Dayton Moore is seeking to avoid.

There are many things that the Kansas City Royals can do to help their club going into the second half. Look for Dayton Moore to do something more significant than anything in his past with his team on the cusp of a title.

Next: Royals Pursuing Johnny Cueto

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