Series preview: Twins at Royals

Remember back in the day, like ten years ago or something, when the Royals were bad? That’s how I would describe the Royals now—bad.

Hopelessly bad.

Obviously we saw a bit of how bad the Royals are this year when the Twins swept them to open the season. Since then, things haven’t gotten a whole lot better for our friends in blue. At 7-14, the Royals are not only last in the AL Central, but have the second worst record in all of baseball (only Toronto is doing worse). They’ve lost their last seven games straight coming into this weekend’s series, where they will hopefully lose three more to the Twins.

Why are the Royals now so bad? Well, let’s take a look at what their hitters have been up to and see if we can figure out...

MLB.com

Oh. Welp... yeah. Anytime Son of Sal has a higher batting average than half your team, you know you’re in trouble.

The free-swinging Royals lineup might be good news for Kyle Gibson, who starts for the Twins Friday night. Gibson struggled in his last outing against the Tigers, lasting only 2.2 innings. In fact, Gibby has actually struggled most of the year, and currently holds a 9.00 ERA through 17 innings. He hasn’t even gotten his first win yet! Maybe it can come tonight?

Meanwhile, Phil Hughes just needs to straight himself out. He’s been up and down most of the season, with his last outing against the Rangers being an up—two earned runs over six innings (and no home runs!). He’ll be pitching Saturday.

And Sunday? That’ll be Ervin Santana, who has been red-hot on the mound this season.

Twins have this in the bag.

Pitching Match-ups

Game 1: Friday, 4/28 7:15 pm CT - Ian Kennedy RHP vs. Kyle Gibson RHP

Game 2: Saturday, 4/29 6:15 pm CT - Jason Hammel RHP vs. Phil Hughes RHP

Game 3: Sunday, 4/30 1:15 pm CT - TBD vs. Ervin Santana RHP

Notes

• Hector Santiago’s grandma died and he’s on the bereavement list, so the Twins will have Buddy Boshers in the bullpen.
• The Royals are giving away Rusty Kuntz bobbleheads on Friday night, and I am so angry I am not there to get one and have fun in Kansas City because it’s a nice place.
• Thought the Royals have sucked this year, have been better at home—they’re 5-3 there, but 2-11 on the road.
• Nobody tell the university student who wrote this series preview that the Twins aren’t actually in first place.