Royals Rumblings - News for June 4, 2024
The Royals get to fight for the division.
Sam McDowell writes that the comeback win on Sunday was made possible by the near-comeback on Friday.
“We ended up losing that game (Friday), but we got to all the best pieces that they have (in the bullpen),” Perez said. “Everybody is good, but there’s a reason why they’re the closer or the set-up guy. Not having those guys available today was big for us.”
The Royals needed a win Sunday, much as they impress that no singular game is worth dwelling on, and let’s be honest here: They probably don’t get a win if not for a five-run ninth Friday.
They won because of a loss.
Anne Rogers writes the team is ready for their series against first-place Cleveland.
“We’ve shown a lot of resilience throughout the series,” Loftin said. “And now for it to finally come to fruition in this game was huge.
“... Today was the biggest game of the season so far. Because it was today. We can only focus on today. But it does give us the momentum moving forward into playing the first-place team in our division.”
David Lesky tries to figure out why the Royals haven’t called up Drew Waters.
Whether you agree with what I think is happening or not, it does appear they want to maintain a level of mystery around some guys in AAA who they think can help them to go get who they need. One of those guys is Drew Waters. There have been tons of calls for him to come up from fans for weeks now. And I get it. The outfield offense stinks. The overall offense doesn’t, at least on the surface, but the outfielders have been terrible. So why not call up a guy who had had big league success and is hitting well in AAA? I just think they don’t want to expose him at the big league level. Are they losing games because of it? I don’t think you could argue they were, but maybe on a losing stretch they are. I really don’t know.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter thinks the offense is heating up.
The bottom line? Yes, the Royals’ hitting isn’t perfect and needs to improve, especially if Wacha is out for a couple of months (which is probable). The starting pitching should take a hit if that happens.
However, I do not think the Royals necessarily need to make a move now. If necessary, they can wait until August for the Trade Deadline.
Right now, the Kansas City lineup is trending in the right direction, with some key hitters due for big summer months as long as they stay healthy.
Bill Mitchell at Baseball America writes about the hot start by Royals minor league pitcher Hunter Patteson.
“Hunter has really done a great job this year,” Maier said, “showing the plus stuff and command that we selected him for.”
Craig Brown recaps the series against the Padres.
George Brett talks Royals at an ALS golf benefit.
Rhys Hoskins has an emotional return to Philadelphia.
Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano is facing a lifetime ban for possibly gambling on baseball.
Houston’s Jose Urquidy will likely need Tommy John surgery.
The Mariners sign outfielder Victor Robles.
Baltimore promotes top prospect Connor Norby.
Mark Feinsand at MLB.com writes about trade deadline storylines.
The Tigers demote former #1 pick Spencer Torkelson and the Twins demote infielder Eduoard Julien.
MLB will add a prospect skills competition to All-Star weekend.
Johnny Cueto could opt out of his minor league deal with the Rangers today.
Receiver Justin Jefferson gets a historic deal from the Vikings.
Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever has already surpassed last year’s attendance total in just five games.
The best movie henchmen from the 21st century.
Why did North Korea dump trash on South Korea?
GameStop stock shares spike after a stock influencer shows a $116 million stake in it.
An American Gladiators re-boot is coming to Amazon.
Your song of the day is Blur with Coffee & TV.