Royals Report: 5 Things About Memorial Day Rally

5) Ian Kennedy Fighting Command

Ian Kennedy lasted 6.0 innings while allowing 1 unearned run and racking up 6 strikeouts, but it wasn’t at all easy. Kennedy walked five batters while leaving the bases loaded twice.

He had a particular problem putting hitters away, allowing multiple walks after getting two strikes. Kennedy’s command wasn’t way off; he missed by a little on most of his walks. Still, he was pitching with runners on base quite frequently despite allowing only three singles on the night.

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Overall, you have to say it was a successful outing for Kennedy. When a pitcher can hold the other team to one score when struggling with his command, that’s a professional job.

Though I was against the Ian Kennedy contract because I thought general manager Dayton Moore overpaid by signing him to five-years for $70 million, I have to admit he’s been everything the KC Royals could have hoped. He’s been the most reliable pitcher in the rotation and is on track to eat 200+ innings.

For the season, Kennedy is 4-3, with a 3.03 ERA and a 8.9 K/9. That’s easily no. 2 starter performance bordering on ace territory.

While we don’t know if Kennedy will keep up his early standard in Kansas City, he’s shown his fly ball tendencies are a perfect fit for the deep expanse of Kauffman Stadium and the KC Royals fleet outfield defenders.

Next: Kendrys Morales