The Kansas City Royals haven’t had the best season so far, but it’s not been due to their pitching staff. For the most part, the Royals have gotten plenty of success from their pitching this year.
There’s one spot in opposing teams’ lineups that the Royals have had immense success at shutting down this season. And it’s within the top-four spots of the order.
According to Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, the Royals are the best team in Major League Baseball when it comes to shutting down cleanup hitters, which, traditionally, are some of the best power-hitters in the sport.
Royals are MLB’s best at shutting down cleanup hitters
“Kansas City Royals: Shutting down cleanup hitters,” Miller writes. “Royals pitching, however, has been lights out against that portion of the opponents’ lineup, allowing just a .252 on-base percentage that ranks best in the majors.”
The Royals have allowed just a .252 on-base percentage to cleanup hitters this season, which is a very low mark for any spot in the lineup, but especially for the cleanup spot.
One of the main reasons for the success against cleanup hitters has been the starting rotation. Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Kris Bubic all have shut down cleanup hitters this season, with OPS’s below .450 when facing players hitting fourth for their teams.
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While lineup construction has changed a bit in recent years, with the cleanup spot not being the best power-hitter like it was for some time, it’s still typically reserved for a quality hitter.
Being able to shut down cleanup hitters at the best rate in MLB is a big accomplishment for this Royals pitching staff. Miller’s note is a fascinating one, as the Royals are having the most success of any team against a premier spot in the lineup.
Even though things aren’t going too great overall, the Royals can at least take solace in knowing they’re shutting down teams’ cleanup hitters better than any pitching staff in baseball.
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