Around the Kingdom: Yordano Ventura, Alex Smith, Joe Mays, Charlie Weis

Aug 6, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher

Yordano Ventura

in the dugout after being pulled from the game in the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals returned to their winning ways by taking their 2nd straight game from the Texas Rangers with their 2-1 win Tuesday night.

More from Kansas City Chiefs

Salvador Perez played a big part in both wins, driving in 3 out of the Royals 4 runs on Monday, and then plating the deciding run Tuesday with his single in the 8th.

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for the season-opener against the Tennessee Titans at Arrowhead on Sunday. At long last, the speculation, analysis, and pre-season projections are over and we’re gonna get to see some football.

About time!

The University of Kansas opens its season this Saturday against Southeast Missouri State in Lawrence. Coach Charlie Weis is looking for his team to take the next step this season in his 3rd year after taking over the head coaching duties.

Meanwhile, the K-State football program got a little bit of validation when 12 former Wildcats made NFL rosters for this weeks’ opening games.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Kings of Kauffman – David Hill wonders if rookie starter Yordano Ventura is hitting the wall:

"Ventura, meanwhile, may be hitting a wall. Even though the numbers may looks solid over his past four starts, as Ventura has posted a 2.88 ERA and a 1.280 WHiP, there may be cause for concern. In those last four starts, totaling 25 innings, Ventura has walked 17 batters."

MLB Daily Dish – 5 August deals that mean the most for the MLB playoff chase:

"For his many trips around the league, Willingham has never played in the postseason. If he can lead Kansas City to a historic playoff berth (and he has already posted a .866 OPS for KC in 15 games), Willingham may just do what ever player dreams of doing: being properly rated. Oh, and playing in October"

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Arrowhead Addict – Alex Smith contract looks like a good deal for KC:

"Essentially the Chiefs have given Smith a three-year, $27 million contract with a $18 million signing bonus. They then have two options years in 2017 and 2018 for if they want to keep him around. And Smith’s most expensive year, 2016, will be the same season the Chiefs are projected to have the most cap space available to them. Not a bad deal for either Smith or the Chiefs."

Arrowhead Pride – ILB Joe Mays to short-term IR:

"The short-term IR rules are new as of 2012. As long as the player is on the preseason roster (Mays was), a team can place him on IR with a designation to return. The player can return to practice after six weeks and can be activated to the roster after eight weeks, which means Mays it out for at least half the season."

KANSAS JAYHAWKS

KUSports.com – Charlie Weis says his squad needs to take the next step:

"“I think that Kansas football, at this stage, is not about being just respected,” Weis said. “I mean, we all want to win, starting in this building. Our players will be very disappointed if they don’t win a significant number of games more than we had last year.”"

KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

K-State Sports – 12 former Wildcats Land on opening day NFL rosters

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

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