Royals Report: 5 Things About Bomb-Fest In Chicago

The KC Royals lost for the eighth straight time, this time falling to the Chicago White Sox 7-5 at U.S. Cellular Field Friday night.

The Kansas City Royals are now .500 at 30-30, and four games behind the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. The White Sox move into second place at 31-30,and 3.5 games behind the Indians in the Central.

The KC Royals scored more than one run for the first time in six games, but the “deluge” did little good as the White Sox rocked Ian Kennedy for seven runs and four home runs. Though the Kansas City Royals answered with three home runs of their own, all three were solo shots compared to two, two-run home runs for the White Sox.

I must confess, I’m getting as frustrated as every other Kansas City Royals fan must be by now. Watching the KC Royals hasn’t been much fun recently.

I guess the silver lining is that the Royals scored five runs, racked up 12 hits, and slammed four extra-base hits, but they’re still failing to get the big hit. And, none of it is much use when the rotation keeps serving up batting practice for the opposing team.

To be honest, I wanted nothing more than to start breaking stuff. Maybe, the day off brought the KC Royals out of their hitting funk and they’ll start winning games when their starters don’t wet the bed. But, my patience is wearing thin.

However, think of this Kansas City Royals fans: If you’re down from watching these last eight games, what do you think LIVING it has been like for the players? Has to be infinitely worse.

On to my observations about Friday’s game:

Next: Alcides Escobar

5) What Good Is Moving Alcides Escobar To No. 2?

One benefit of the losing streak is that Ned Yost broke down and decided to remove Alcides Escobar from the leadoff position. Instead, Escobar batted from the two-hole with Whit Merrifield taking over at leadoff.

More from KC Royals News

• KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
• KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: 3 Tampa Bay pitchers
• Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update

Merrifield hitting no. 1 makes almost too much sense. He has speed (16 stolen bases in Omaha without a caught stealing), he’s getting on base (.338 OBP) and he’s reached base safely for 18 straight games. So, Yost made a good decision to insert the 27-year-old rookie at the top of the KC Royals order.

But Yost then sucks most of the benefit from this good decision by hitting Escobar at no. 2. Oh great, let’s have our shortstop with a .273 OBP take the second most at bats on the team instead of the most. That’s like giving up Russian Roulette in favor of bashing yourself in the head with a hammer.

I suppose it’s an improvement. At least Yost is now open to shaking things up. Maybe we’ll see Escobar in the no. 9 position since hitting him no. 2 didn’t bust the losing streak.

I’m not holding my breath. I’m sure Yost will come up with some excuse why thumbing his nose at data analysis and game theory makes sense.

Perhaps the move was due to Chicago starter Chris Sale being a lefty. Of course that doesn’t explain why Yost moved left-handed-hitting Eric Hosmer to no. 3 in place of Lorenzo Cain, who moved to clean-up on Friday.

I know, maybe Yost should REALLY make the sabermetrics guys squirm by batting Kendrys Morales at leadoff. Just because he can. I can just see Yost talking about managing with his gut as he starts off games with a .592 OPS Morales followed by an even worse .566 OPS Escobar.

Next: Ian Kennedy

4) Ian Kennedy Gets Bombed Again

Ian Kennedy gave up five runs in 6.0 innings last Saturday in Cleveland, and followed up that outing by allowing seven runs to Chicago in 5.2 innings on Friday. He’s served up six gopher balls in his last 11.2 innings pitched, including four to the White Sox who came into Friday’s game with the second fewest home runs in the American League (behind, of course, the KC Royals).

More from Kings of Kauffman

• KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
• KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: 3 Tampa Bay pitchers
• Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update

The fact is, Kennedy has been pretty bad away from the deep expanse of Kauffman Stadium this season. Kennedy has held opponents to a 1.46 ERA in four home starts, while opponents have battered him on the road for a 4.65 ERA in seven road starts.

It’s pretty clear that Ned Yost needs to do everything he can to keep Kennedy from pitching in a small park if he can help it. And, Kennedy needs to be on a short leash. Pulling Kennedy before hitters can see him a third time is probably a pretty good idea if the KC Royals are playing in a bandbox in a tight game.

Of course, that would make too much sabermetric sense, so we can’t have that.

Hey, look on the bright side. At least Joakim Soria, Kelvin Herrera, and Wade Davis are REALLY rested.

Next: Whit Merrifield

2) Cheslor Cuthbert Needs To Start Producing

Cheslor Cuthbert plays good defense at third base and was crushing the ball at Omaha. He appears to have the bat speed to succeed at the plate, but his production isn’t bearing that out. So far, Cuthbert is slashing .252/.273/.346 for an OPS of .619.

More from Kings of Kauffman

• KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
• KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: 3 Tampa Bay pitchers
• Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update

That’s just not good.

Cuthbert only has 50 at bats this season, and 153 in his major-league career. He’s still adjusting to a full-time role and could be suffering from small sample size. And, yes, both KC Royals manager Ned Yost and GM Dayton Moore are well-known for their patience.

Patience is great when a team isn’t playing in meaningful games, or the rest of the lineup is hitting well enough to carry a weak bat. But the 2016 Kansas City Royals are mired in a horrific offensive slump that is killing the team. If Cuthbert doesn’t turn things around soon, the KC Royals will either insert Christian Colon into the lineup at third base, or seek help on the trade market.

Whit Merrifield can also fill-in at third, but that would also mean playing Omar Infante or Colon at second base.

Next: Eric Hosmer

1) Eric Hosmer Continues To Rake

Eric Hosmer blossoming into a true star is the best development of the 2016 season. Yes, the Whit Merrifield call-up has been the best feel-good story of the year. But, Hosmer’s emergence as a legitimate power bat to go with his stellar defense, has done more to help the club.

More from KC Royals News

• KC Royals Rumors: Is a monster move in the cards?
• KC Royals Free Agent Hunt: 3 Tampa Bay pitchers
• Grading the 2022 KC Royals: The $25 million man
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Expectations met
• KC Royals Winter Meetings Tracker: Day 3 update

On Friday night, Hosmer smashed two balls over the fence, going 2-4, with 2 home runs, 2 runs scored, and 3 RBI’s. The big night pushed his season slash line to an outstanding .324/.382/.547 with 12 home runs.

Hosmer is on pace to finish the season with 32 doubles, 32 home runs, and 103 RBI’s. Those are the type of power numbers you expect to see from a first base star. Hosmer has finally become the middle of the order power bat that scouts expected from him as a prospect.

Add in his propensity for CLUTCH hits, his heads up play in the field, opportunistic base running, and you have one of the best players in the game.

Next: Dayton Moore's 10 Best Decisions As Royals GM

I doubt the KC Royals will have the shekels to re-sign him, but it’s going to sure be fun to watch him over the next two seasons. Enjoy him while you can, Kansas City Royals fans!