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Around the Kingdom: Bruce Chen, Justin Ruggiano, Andrew Wiggins, and Vance Walker

By John Viril

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Jul 13, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Bruce Chen (52) delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City beat Detroit 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals managed to salvage the final game of their series against Detroit with a 5-2 win Sunday night. The game featured a 5-run comeback in the 7th inning along with a rare (and unrepeatable) relief appearance by Yordano Ventura—available from the pen in Kansas City’s final game before the All-Star break.

The blunt truth is, however, the Royals just don’t have the guns to make a playoff run unless Dayton Moore finds some offense and relief help, or long-dormant bats come alive in the 2nd half of the season.

I might be an abused Royals fan, but I’m not holding my breath expecting either one of those things to happen.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers insist that former KU star Andrew Wiggins isn’t going anywhere despite rumors that LeBron James‘ return to Cleveland would put the no. 1 pick from this year’s NBA draft on the trading block. Frankly, I think this is a smart decision by the Cavs (if they stick to it) because they have a unique opportunity to win in the present and build for the future. The Cavs could now dominate for a decade if the front office does its job.

Ok, I’m itchy for training camp to begin. To put the fan power of the NFL into perspective, a frigging three-week practice schedule turns St. Joseph, Missouri into a tourist destination.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

"If nothing else, the Royals need Bruce Chen to be able to do just that. After losing three consecutive games to the Detroit Tigers, falling 7.5 games out of first place and being in danger of dropping to .500 at the All-Star Break, the Royals need the Chen from last year. They need a spark, someone to stop the bleeding and keep the Royals in position to make a second half surge like they went on last year."

  • Rany on the Royals – Rany reviews the state of the Royals bullpen going into the All-Star break:

"It seems kind of galling that the Royals, who had a historically good bullpen last year, would find themselves needing to trade for a reliever the very next season. But that’s the nature of bullpens, which are, after all, made up of relievers. The good news is that unless you’re trading for an elite closer-type guy, you can usually get a reliever of some utility at the trading deadline for a minor prospect."

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

"“You know, I’ve been in locker rooms … but I feel like they actually care about people here and say ‘Hey dude, how are you doing,’ ” Walker said. “It’s never really been like that where I’ve come from. I’ve had good friends on teams, but for the entire locker room to be like that, that’s a great thing.”"

KANSAS JAYHAWKS

  • KUSports.com – Cavs coach David Blatt says Andrew Wiggins isn’t going anywhere:

"“There’s no reason for worry on his part because Andrew’s not going anywhere as far as I know,” Cavs coach David Blatt said Saturday."

MISSOURI TIGERS

There you have it KC fans—the news Around the Kingdom.

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