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KC Royals: Don’t Give Up On The Defending Champs Just Yet

By Mike Courson |
Aug 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Danny Duffy (41) celebrates with catcher Drew Butera (9) after the game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Danny Duffy (41) celebrates with catcher Drew Butera (9) after the game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 7, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; A large praying mantis sits on the dugout rail prior to the game between the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; A large praying mantis sits on the dugout rail prior to the game between the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

The Royals entered Saturday as winners of back-to-back series and winners of five of their last six games, perhaps inspired by the little insect known as Rally Mantis. Then the bad news came: Rally Mantis was found dead in his Minneapolis hotel room. Authorities do not suspect foul play.

Mantis or not, Kansas City has been a strong second-half team in recent seasons. In 2013, the Royals were sitting at 41-43 on July 6, then went 45-33 down the stretch to secure the first winning record in a decade.

In 2014, the team went 41-27 in the second half and made it all the way to Game 7 of the World Series. Last season, the Royals posted a 47-34 record over the final 81 games, then turned it on in the playoffs to win the crown.

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Entering Saturday, Kansas City had moved to 56-59 on the back of a three-game win streak. At 6-4 in their last 10 games, the Royals are officially the hottest team in the American League Central. And they need that to continue.

Cleveland ended a skid and has won back-to-back games to maintain a five-game lead in the division. Detroit is still five games ahead of Kansas City, who is 10 games out of first and 6.5 games from a Wild Card spot.

Kansas City’s offense has picked up in the month of August, but much of its success is due to a turnaround on the mound. The Royals hurlers have combined for a 2.97 ERA so far in August, fourth best in the majors. That’s a stark contrast from the 5.27 ERA that was better than just two teams in July.

Next: Starting Pitching Picking Up

Aug 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) gives up a home run to Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (not pictured) in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) gives up a home run to Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (not pictured) in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting Pitching PIcking Up

Danny Duffy has been the catalyst with a 9-1 record and 3.00 ERA in his last 15 starts. After another dominating performance against Chicago Thursday night, Duffy moved into the American League lead in ERA. He’s struck out 51 and maintained a paltry 2.39 ERA over his last seven starts.

While the Royals are now expected to win each time Duffy toes the slab, his teammates have also risen to the occasion. Ian Kennedy has locked it down in his two August starts, allowing just one earned run and striking out 11 in 12.1 innings of work. That one run was a home run, which is something Kennedy has struggled with all season.

With a solid performance Friday, Yordano Ventura moved to 2-0 in three starts so far in August. He’s now gone eight-straight starts without allowing more than three runs. Right behind him, Dillon Gee has a 3.38 in August. Gee kept Kansas City in a 4-3 loss to Toronto on Aug. 5, then pitched two perfect innings to get the extra-inning win against Chicago on Wednesday.

In the absence of players like Wade Davis and Luke Hochevar, the starters have stepped up their game. Oddly enough, it’s the bullpen mainstays like Kelvin Herrera and Joakim Soria who have struggled of late. On the other hand, Brian Flynn, Peter Moylan, Matt Strahm, and Chris Young – yes, even Chris Young – have combined for 14.1 shutout innings so far this month. The newcomer Strahm has been lights out, striking out 10 in just 4.2 innings of work.

The Royals could also get some help from the injured list soon. Mike Minor is close to his Kansas City debut after rehabbing in AAA Omaha. Jason Vargas and Kris Medlen are throwing. And, Wade Davis is likely to return before September.

Next: The Offense

Aug 10, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) slides safely into third base in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) slides safely into third base in the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

The Offense

Offensively, Cheslor Cuthbert and Paulo Orlando continue to lead the way. Cuthbert has 11 hits and three RBIs in his last seven games. Orlando continues to near the qualifying mark for a league batting title, and only Houston’s Jose Altuve has a higher average in the AL this season.

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Success could hinge on a return to form of left fielder Alex Gordon. Gordon’s offensive struggles have been apparent all season. He batted just .195 in the month of July and has dropped below the Mendoza line several times in August. However, even Gordon has warmed of late with a three-game hit streak heading into Saturday. He’s batting .250 in 37 at bats this month and is pulling away from that dreaded .200 average at .204.

Naturally, all of this is a little optimistic. Sure, the Royals are 5-1 over the last six games; but four of those wins have come against Chicago and Minnesota, the two worst teams in the AL Central. Minnesota has the second-worst record in all of baseball. But two of those wins came against a powerful Toronto team, and a pair of great Blue Jay pitchers.

At the end of July, many Royals fans were ready to write off the 2016 season. But the rise of Danny Duffy, the arrival of a certain insect, and a nice run through weaker competition has breathed new life into the franchise. There’s no reason that cannot continue.

The most encouraging part is that the schedule favors a late-season charge by Kansas City. The league has recently loaded the final month of the season with games between division rivals to produce exciting finishes to division races.

Coming up in September, Kansas City has six games with Detroit, six games with Cleveland, six games with Minnesota, and seven games with the White Sox. As a result of this favorable schedule, the KC Royals have every opportunity to make up ground in a big hurry.

Next: Royals Report: Bats Come Alive As Rally Mantis Dies

With a solid finish to August and a good run in September, 6.5 games or even 10 games is not too much to overcome. Let’s not give up on these Royals just yet.

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