What To Watch For Against the Rays Tonight

Two straight! If the KC Royals can get a win tonight, they will have a much-needed winning streak going.

Here is some info for the KC Royals game.

Time: 6:10 CT

TV: FSKC

Radio: KCSP

Online: MLB.TV

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Pitching Matchup

RHP Jason Hammel (1-3, 5.53 ERA, 1.70 WHIP) vs. RHP Chris Archer (2-1, 3.57 ERA, 1.21 WHIP)

What To Watch For

After a great comeback victory in 12 innings last night, the KC Royals, with a revamped bullpen, will go for the series win tonight.

Jason Hammel and the Stretch

In his last start, Jason Hammel may have pitched his best game in a KC Royals uniform. He pitched six innings of one run ball against the Cleveland Indians, only surrendering an Edwin Encarnacion solo home run.

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This start was much-needed for Hammel, as it came after a stretch of short outings. The success in his last start possibly attributed one thing. Hammel pitching out of the stretch.

This was pointed out in an article by Rustin Dodd of the KC Star.

In his short outings, Hammel had trouble repeating delivery. This way, he can repeat his delivery more fluidly. In his career, pitching out of the stretch (men on base), Hammel has an opposing OPS+ of 114

Royals Hitters Against Chris Archer

One of the better pitchers in the game, Chris Archer has struggled big time against the KC Royals. He is still looking for his first career win against the Royals, as Royals hitters have a .776 OPS against Archer.

Archer is relying more on his slider this year. This could give him more success tonight, as the KC Royals are the second worst slider hitting team in the majors.

What the Royals need to do is look for the changeup. They have Archer’s changeup well before.

Lorenzo Cain Homer?

My pick for a home run tonight is Lorenzo Cain. Especially playing at Tropicana Field.

Cain hits .303 off of fastballs and sliders combined since the beginning of 2016. Archer should have trouble pitching to him.

In his career vs. Chris Archer, Lorenzo Cain is 5 for 10 with a double and a homer.

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In Archer’s start vs. Kansas City on June 1st of last year, Cain smoked two balls back with an exit velocity of 100 MPH+.