<\/p>\n
MLB.com Anne Rogers looks at the looming trade deadline after the Kansas City Royals\u2019 latest blowout loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, they welcomed the Rays<\/a> to Kauffman Stadium, only for a 10-4 loss to mark the Royals\u2019 fifth loss in their last six games. The series opener also marked the end of June, a month in which the Royals won more games (13) than any other month this season, but still finished below .500 (13-14). Kansas City (35-51) also has the worst record in the American League.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a whole host of reasons why it\u2019s gone as poorly as it has, with the early-season offensive underperformance being at the top of the list. Now midseason, injuries have set in, and the Royals have found themselves relying heavily on their depth.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t met expectations at all,\u201d general manager J.J. Picollo said in his homestand-opening meeting with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. \u201cThat\u2019s clear. Just look at our record and know who we have on this roster. \u2026 Nobody\u2019s going to feel sorry for us. We need to figure this thing out. Figure out how we can compete at a higher level and bring this thing together.<\/p>\n \u201cI know we have three more months of baseball. That\u2019s a lot of baseball left. When we talk about this year, it also bleeds into next year. It helps us figure out: What do we have on this team that\u2019s going to help us next year? Where do we need to address things this offseason?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n Kansas City Star\u2019s Jaylon Thompson looks at Bobby Witt Jr.\u2019s standout Tuesday game.<\/a><\/p>\n But Bobby Witt Jr., did his part for the Royals. He pulled KC within three runs in the third inning with his first of two home runs. Witt has just recently worked his way back into the lineup after taking a rare few games off with a knee injury. \u201cI think it\u2019s just got the timing,\u201d Witt said. \u201cAnd so they just kind of go from there. Just try to take it how I normally take it (with) my routine. Prepare the way I prepare and go out there and compete.\u201d Witt\u2019s 11th homer of the season came against Rays right-handed starter Jax, who left a 94.7 mph sweeper atop the strike zone. Witt drove the baseball into the left-field seats. Later, Witt homered off Rays reliever Cole Sulser<\/a>. It was Witt\u2019s seventh career multi-homer game, and his first since Aug. 7, 2024 against the Boston Red Sox<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n Thompson also wrote about the Royals holding pat with their coaching staff for now.<\/a><\/p>\n The Kansas City Royals aren\u2019t planning to make any major changes within their coaching staff. General manager J.J. Picollo said as much ahead of Tuesday\u2019s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Kauffman Stadium. He indicated the Royals will retain their current staff but potentially evaluate further at season\u2019s end. \u201cThese are the same guys we\u2019ve worked with for really four seasons now,\u201d Picollo said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been through the highs and the lows, and they\u2019ve been challenged before.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n Judy Manning, the wife of the late Shannon Manning, delivered Tuesday\u2019s game ball as the Royals honor the Hallmark designer who first created the crown emblem<\/a>.<\/p>\n Shannon Manning, who passed away about four years ago, was recruited by Hallmark in 1967 to work in its package design department. Shannon\u2019s design was selected after the Kauffman family asked Hallmark designers to create a lasting emblem for the new team.<\/p>\n \u201cThey chose Shannon\u2019s over 16 to 20 people who designed emblems, but they chose Shannon\u2019s, which was a wise decision I thought,\u201d Judy Manning said in an April interview.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n More details on what the Royals\u2019 ballpark development could look like, from KCTV5.<\/p>\n Neil deMause looks at whatthe proposal does and doesn\u2019t have, including the missing funding request.<\/a><\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Just Baseball\u2019s Caleb Moody looks athow valuable outfielder Jac Caglianone\u2019s June was.<\/a><\/p>\n Lance Brozdowski looks at Tanner Bibee\u2019s new changeup shape and usage.<\/a><\/p>\n Culture of Sport looks at how the World Cup morphed into a marketing powerhouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n Will Carroll runs down the latest MLB injuries, including a closer look at what ailed Yandy Diaz<\/a>.<\/p>\n Willson Contreras talks about his emotional home run following the Venezuela earthquakes.<\/a> He was also tossed from Tuesday\u2019s game<\/a> for the second consecutive game.<\/p>\n Georgia Bulldogs catcher Daniel Jackson wins the 2026 Golden Spikes Award.<\/a><\/p>\n Josh Naylor as a sharp edge<\/a> whehn it comes to his pranks.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Broadcasting legend Bob Uecker gets the mural treatment<\/a> in downtown Milwaukee.<\/p>\n LeBron James plans on leaving Los Angeles Lakers and continuing his record-long career anywhere else<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mexico reacches the round of 16 with 2-0 win over Ecuador.<\/a><\/p>\n Former Kansas State player Dean Wad joins Philadelphia 76ers on a four-year, $39 million deal<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Detroit Lions released 2024 first-round pick Terrion Arnold while he faces multiple felony charges.<\/a><\/p>\n A closer look at Alan Jackson\u2019s final concert in Nashville, Tennessee<\/a>.<\/p>\n Kara Swisher\u2019s rise in technology coverage has a lens focused on 2028 and beyond.<\/a><\/p>\n The Valor House in Kansas City is helping homeless veterans find a way again<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Lawrence is just an amazing host to Algeria<\/a> during the World Cup.<\/p>\n Kansas City Chiefs leadership, locals respond to economic imapct study of new Chiefs stadium.<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n