Royals Report: 5 Things About Ian Kennedy Slump Buster

5) Ian Kennedy Restores Order

After the KC Royals starting pitchers gave up 19 runs in the first two innings over the last two days, Ian Kennedy went 7.0 innings while allowing 3 hits, 1 earned run, and striking out 11 on Sunday. It was nice holding the Astros to a single score after giving up 13 in each of the last two games.

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It was a much needed respite from both a four game losing streak, and two awful starting performances in a row. I must confess, I was totally dispirited by two straight games in which the game was over before the end of the second inning.

Yeah, I know that’s not entirely true given the Kansas City Royals penchant for coming back in critical games. However, even the KC Royals can’t summon that kind of desperation under most circumstances. The team’s body English was clearly lax after getting crushed in the early going in both of those games.

Ian Kennedy lowered his season ERA from 4.19 to 3.96 with arguably his best performance of the season. His three-hit gem included only one walk along with his 11 strikeouts, most of which came on his fastball. Kennedy gave the Kansas City Royals something that they’ve gotten far too infrequently this season: dominant starting pitching.

Kennedy also continued his pattern of strong starts in Kauffman Stadium, and troubles on the road. He came into the game sporting a 2.30 ERA at home and a 5.36 ERA on the road, including a mediocre 4.0 inning start in New York against the Mets on June 21.

If Kennedy can continue to miss bats like he did today, his road record will improve due to nullifying the problem of fly balls leaving the park.

Next: Whit Merrifield

4) Whit Merrifield’s Consistency Is Impressive

I can’t really say enough about how much Whit Merrifield has meant to the KC Royals this season. I feel very strongly that the team would be under .500 without his unexpected development in the 2016 season.

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Rather than another terrible season from Omar Infante, Whit Merrifield has turned the second base position into a strength. Merrifield has helped make up for losing Mike Moustakas for the season to a torn ACL, and poor starts from Alex Gordon and Kendrys Morales.

The fact is, Merrifield has played good defense, run the bases, and showed more pop than expected. But, what impresses me the most about him is his consistency. Merrifield is getting on base almost every game, notching hits in each one of his home starts and nine of his last 10 games.

For the first time in more than a decade, Merrifield is giving the Kansas City Royals a true lead-off hitter. Let’s just hope he can keep it up, even as we recognize he’s probably not going to keep hitting .321 for the rest of the season due to his .382 BABIP.

Next: Lorenzo Cain

3) Lorenzo Cain Breaks Out

Center-fielder Lorenzo Cain has broken out of an 0-12 slide in a big way the last two days, rapping five hits in nine at bats, including two doubles. 

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Cain’s batting average is back to .288, which is the same mark he enjoyed before his three-game slide, and his season triple slash is a more-than-respectable .288/.334/.417. However, Cain has slid from no. 3 in the All-Star voting among American League outfielders down to no. 6. You can vote for Cain, and the rest of the Kansas City Royals here. Voting ends June 30.

Cain’s rebound has coincided with his move back to his familiar no. 3 spot in the batting order, where he hit most of the 2015 season and the first two months of 2016. Lorenzo Cain is showing that his power boost from 2015 isn’t any accident with eight home runs so far this season. ESPN estimates that he’s on pace to hit 18 dingers in 2016, which would surpass his career high of 16 set in 2015.

The only real sour note Cain’s season is his modest total of six stolen bases, against four caught stealing. Could Lorenzo be losing his speed on the basepaths? He is, after all, now 30 years old.

If Cain is indeed slowing down, it could hurt his range in center. Though his improving bat should help him remain a valuable player, his outstanding 7.2 bWAR season in 2015 might prove to have been his peak.

Next: Cheslor Cuthbert

2) Cheslor Cuthbert Keeping His Grip On Third Base

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe indicated again that the Kansas City Royals are interested in Oakland third baseman Danny Valencia to fill the “hole” at third base created by Mike Moustakas‘ ACL injury.

I can see why the KC Royals would be active on the third base market, but rookie Cheslor Cuthbert continues to hold off general manager Dayton Moore’s need to pull off such a deal. Cuthbert is slashing a totally acceptable .280/.315./.446, with seven home runs in 157 at bats while taking over for Moustakas at third base.

While Valencia has been surprisingly effective at the plate the last two seasons, he doesn’t possess the same defensive chops as Cuthbert. In fact, Valencia is a below-average fielder at the hot corner. Thus, Valencia’s .333/.381/.552 triple slash with 11 home runs this season, is somewhat moderated. Add in that Valencia has been a part time player his entire career, and it’s hard to see the Kansas City Royals displacing Cuthbert.

If Valencia were a left handed hitter, I could see them making the move. But as long as Cuthbert continues to hit, I don’t think he’s going anywhere. This season has proved to be invaluable to the 23-year-old Cheslor Cuthbert’s development.

Rather than surrendering value from the KC Royals depleted farm system, Dayton Moore needs to focus on bolstering his rotation.

Next: The Offense

1) Hitting Has Not Been The Problem

The Kansas City Royals hitters have stroked 11, 15,and now 13 hits in the last three games, showing that the offense hasn’t been the issue. Though they only scored four runs in their two losses in New York, the KC Royals managed to put up 16 total hits—which was more than the Mets who won both games due to putting four balls over the wall.

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The fact is, the addition of Whit Merrifield in place of the unproductive Omar Infante, Kendrys Morales rebound in June (he was slashing .313/.387/.463 for the month before Sunday’s game), and the return of Alex Gordon, the offense is much healthier than at any time during the season. Morales blasted two home runs on Sunday, to boost his season total to 10.

Kendrys is back, which means the Royals offense is mostly fixed.

However, rumors indicate the KC Royals are seeking a left-handed bat, which does make sense since they only have Eric Hosmer and Gordon hitting from the left side, along with switch hitter Kendrys Morales, in the regular lineup. Reserve outfielder Jarrod Dyson bats sinister, but he’s on the roster for his speed and defense.

Next: Dayton Moore Needs To Decide If 2015 Can Win

A left-handed bat would help balance the Kansas City Royals lineup, but would displace either third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert (.280/.315/.446) or right fielder Paulo Orlando (.359/.385/.465)—both of whom are hitting.  As long as both produce, I don’t see such a deal happening, though there’s a little over five weeks before the trade deadline.