Like most Astros enthusiasts, it’s always a cringeworthy moment when Houston ventures out to Kauffman Stadium. It’s the site of the 2015 ALDS with flashbacks of falling short Game 5 flooding the memory banks. The landscape today has a few holdover members from that clash, Salvador Perez and Jose Altuve to name a few, but each club has fallen short of expectations, to put it mildly. The hope is that Houston can once again pull off a road sweep similar to what they accomplished last month at Wrigley.
For the Royals perspective, we catch up with the “Wonder Dog” Rex Hudler, color commentator for Royals baseball.
Q: My view has always been from afar that Salvador Perez is the pulse of this squad, but he’s been battling through some things this season. What’s going on with Perez?
A: Salvy is the straw that stirs the Royals drink! He’s been nursing a thumb contusion but they’re expecting big things from him the rest of the way. After such a dismal start to the season, we’re just hoping to finish .500 if I’m being honest. That would be an accomplishment at this point.
Q: What has Michael Wacha meant to the club?
A: He’s as consistent as you want for a big-league starter. He has great poise and has as good of a fastball/changeup combo there is in all of baseball.
Q: Could the Royals potentially deal Wacha before the trade deadline?
A: He’s a bargaining chip; there’s no doubt about that. Contenders will be interested.
Q: Vinnie Pasquantino has shown some flashes this season. What’s been the key to his success?
A: You know he has heated up after two months of no run production. I think taking more walks and going to the opposite field has helped him come out of the worst drought in his career. He’s been using the whole field instead of pulling everything, and that’s been the key.
Q: You’ve had some adventures with your arms this season as well. What is the latest with the pitching staff? A: Chris Bubic has been injured and is a couple of starts from joining the rotation. We had a 5 and 5 road trip last week and I think there were positives to come from that. The bullpen is finally settled, early on Erceg blew five saves but Alex Lang has stepped up, and skipper Matt Quatraro has confidence in him. Royals’ fans can hope that the starting pitching continues at a good clip, which is the main currency for clubs these days.
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