Image Credit: AP Photo / Jeff Chiu
Final Score: KC 10 | CHW 3
Overall Record: 60-49
Winning/Losing Pitcher
W: Brady Singer (8-6 | 2.88 ERA)
L: Drew Thorpe (3-3 | 5.48 ERA)
Royals Player(s) of the Game
Freddy Fermin: 4-5, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 HR
If you happen to follow me on Twitter (@KyleJones_96 if you’re interested), you know how I feel about The Ferminator and my affinity for him getting more playing time. If you don’t follow me on Twitter, let me introduce you to my affinity for him getting more playing time. He is batting .304 on the season and has reached base in 12 of his 14 starts in July. He has also struck out just 11 times in the month. The Royals leadoff spot has been a hot topic of discussion for the past couple months, and I think Freddy would put those discussions to bed. He puts the ball in play and gets on base. You can’t ask for anything more from a leadoff hitter, especially when he’s hitting in front of the hottest hitter in all of baseball. I know it might be tough to find playing time for him with Salvy and Vinnie at catcher and first base, but it might just be time for him to be the full time DH.
Brady Singer: 7 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 4 K
Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans get all the praise and limelight, but Singer has been about as good as the Royals could have ever asked him to be in 2024. His three earned runs marks just the sixth time all season that he has allowed more than two runs. He has been the most improved Royal by a WIDE margin after cutting his 2023 ERA nearly in half and already matching his win total. This is probably a hot take, but if a ‘win or go home’ game presents itself for the Royals, I would want Singer on the mound.
Other Highlights
The Royals made a few additions at the trade deadline to aid in their push for the postseason. The last two players they brought in made their debuts in the series finale against the White Sox. Paul DeJong collected a hit and a walk, while also scoring a run as part of the offensive onslaught. I’m not quite sure where he fits in the infield with Witt, Garcia, and Massey (plus Frazier and Hampson), but having an option with some pop can’t be a bad thing. Lucas Erceg relieved Singer after his stellar performance and delivered more of the same. In his lone inning of work, he had two strikeouts and threw four pitches 99+ MPH. Along with Hunter Harvey (another recent addition), the Royals now have a couple flamethrowers in their bullpen and *whispers* potentially their new closer.
Summary of the Next Game
The Royals will head east to take on the Tigers in a four-game series and will look to continue their hunt of the Twins and Guardians. Seth Lugo will be the starter for the series opener, facing off against Keider Montero and his 6.38 ERA. Another series win could mean moving closer to Cleveland, as they start their own four-game series against the AL East-leading Baltimore Orioles.