The Royals received some hopeful news regarding injured pitchers.
The Kansas City Royals are sliding significantly as they try to make the playoffs. They are in second place in the American League Central Division and are currently in the American League playoff format, however they have lost six straight games, including a 9-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants. As a result, the Royals still have a lot of work to do to secure a playoff spot.
Manager Matt Quatraro and the Royals received good news on Saturday regarding two injured pitchers. Right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen (left hamstring strain) and left-handed pitcher Will Smith (back spasms) both had simulated outings before to the Royals’ home defeat to the Giants, and Quartaro said both pitchers performed admirably.
“Very encouraging,” Quatraro said, according to MLB.com. “I thought Lorenzen looked perfectly healthy. We looked for indicators that he was favoring one leg over the other, but he did not appear to be doing so. I know he felt fine before to this, which was encouraging. Likewise with Will. He’s been throwing bullpens, so maybe this is a significant stride.”
Lorenzen, a well-traveled journeyman pitcher, has made five starts for the Royals after being acquired from the Texas Rangers. This season, he has made 23 starts and has a combined 7-6 record. Lorenzen has a 3.43 earned run average over 126.0 innings. He has struck out 92 batters and given up 58 bases on balls.
Smith has had a rough season. He has an 0-4 record with a 6.53 ERA in 45 outings. He has struck out 29 opponents in 41.1 innings.
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Royals close the season on the road
If the Royals are to make the playoffs, they will do so while playing away from home. They finish the regular season with back-to-back series against the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. The Royals should have an advantage over the Nationals, who are now fourth in the National League East with a record of 69-86.
However, the Braves are fighting for their own postseason spot. They are 2.0 games behind the New York Mets for the National League’s last Wild Card slot.
The Royals are challenging the Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners for the American League’s final two Wild Card positions. The Royals lead the Twins by 0.5 games, while the Tigers are 0.5 games out of the last American League postseason position and the Mariners are 2.0 games away.
The Tigers finish with six games at home, including three against the last-place Chicago White Sox. That squad is on course to have the worst record since the start of the 162-game season.
