Despite having been a fan for nearly 30 years, this is quite possibly the most painful season I’ve ever watched. I think I was shielded a bit during the aughts by my childish belief that the Royals could go on a 15-game winning streak at any moment. I used to believe that pitcher ERAs entering a game significantly influenced who likely had the upper hand. And, honestly, I simply didn’t pay as close attention because I was so much busier during the times baseball was being played and didn’t have a computer in my pocket to keep me up to date on every single play.
Few series this year have been as painful as the ones against AL East opponents. The Royals are 3-15 against AL East opponents. The series against the Orioles, where they won that third game, feels so long ago I’d almost forgotten it. Of course, they won their first two matches against Tampa Bay in Tampa, so things were feeling quite a bit better this time last week, but, these are the 2026 Royals. They’ll win 5 of 6 just so they can lose 9 of their next 10 and really drive home how disappointing all these losses are.
The good news is that Stephen Kolek will return to the mound for KC tonight. He went on the Parental Leave list last weekend ahead of the birth of his first child. Then, because she was born prematurely, he was shifted to the Family Medical Emergency List (There are a lot of lists for players to be on) earlier this week to spend more time with his family. But he’s back now, so hopefully that means good things for the health of his growing family, and it also means we don’t have to watch Mitch Spence tonight.
Jose Cuas is the one who got demoted after throwing two innings last night, which is unfortunate for him, but hopefully, he’ll be back soon.
The Rays will be using Ian Seymour, the author of the beginning of the latest disaster period. (I like to think of Griffin Jax’s victory in the third game of the series last week as the prologue.) Last time, Seymour pitched as a bulk reliever and pitched a hitless 6.2 innings. This time I guess the Rays thought they’d let him see if he could get the no-hitter by himself. I’m not betting against him.
Salvador Perez is getting another day off after hitting into two double plays last night. Unfortunately, that means the middle third of the Royals’ lineup goes Lane Thomas, Starling Marte, and Nick Loftin. In an ideal world, none of those guys would be batting in those positions either. But the Royals stopped playing in an ideal world almost before the season started.
Also, apparently, it might mean Salvy is hurting. The Royals designated Eric Cerantola for assignment and demoted John Rave (who absolutely did not deserve it, but what can you do) to add Luke Maile back to the roster. If the Royals think they need three catchers and one of those guys is catching and leading off tonight, you don’t have to be all that good at math to know something is adding up bad for the other guy.
Of course, the Rays have Victor Mesa Jr., Chandler Simpson, and Cedric Mullins in the same spots. They wouldn’t be my first, second, or third choices to bat there either. The Royals will have to find another reason for their failures than having guys out of position in the lineup, perhaps.
Junior Caminero is still in the Rays’ lineup. I’m torn between wanting the Royals to intentionally walk him every time and just let the guy hit some more dingers because what harm can it do KC, and it would be awful to end his homer streak by intentionally walking him in every AB. Don’t forget, no baseball tomorrow because of the World Cup. Enjoy the break!
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