KC Royals Are Ready For Sprint To The Finish Line

Aug 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; KC Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura (30) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Rotation Has Stepped Up In August

Ian Kennedy has been lights out in August with a 3-0 record and 1.11 ERA in five starts. Minus Saturday’s loss against Boston, Danny Duffy has continued his brilliance to inch his way into the Cy Young conversation.

Even after allowing seven earned runs in just five innings Saturday, Duffy’s ERA for the month hovers at a paltry 2.51. Yordano Ventura also has a sub-three ERA at 2.55 in the month of August.

More from Kings of Kauffman

Overall, the rotation has posted a 3.08 ERA in August, which is second best in major-league baseball behind the Chicago Cubs. More innings from the starters has helped take pressure off the bullpen, which is missing Luke Hochevar and Wade Davis.

The good news for Royals fans is that Cleveland’s starters are headed in the opposite direction. In his five starts this month, Josh Tomlin is 0-5 with a 10.80 ERA. Even worse, Danny Salazar has lost three of his four starts with an ERA of 12.41. Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco have a combined 4-5 record in 11 starts this month, and Bauer has the better ERA at 4.85. Corey Kluber has been the exception with a 4-0 record and 2.20 ERA in his five starts.

The Kansas City Royals starting five will need to continue their recent dominance to make a run at the post-season. They can’t revert back to their horrendous June and July in which they suffered with problems giving up the gopher ball. If they can keep the ball in the yard, the KC Royals have a great chance to play deep into October.

Next: The Schedule