KC Royals: Five Early Spring Training Overreactions
By Scott Dillon
One: Royals get one-hit through six innings. No shot at a repeat.
The #Royals lose their 1st spring training game 6-2 versus the Rangers. Should we be worried?! (sarcasm)
— Matt Gasper (@MattGasperTV) March 2, 2016
The jest is inferred in the tweet itself, but it’s still something that may have crossed a few fans’ minds. Yes, the Royals lost. Yes, the Royals only had one hit through the first six innings. This is also just the first game of Spring Training. Spring Training Championships don’t mean much.
The Royals did well in Spring Training many times leading up to losing seasons. It holds no water. Last year, the Oakland A’s and the New York Mets won their respective leagues. The year before that it was the Indians and the Rays. In 2013, it was the Royals and the Orioles.
So yes, the Royals lost the first game of Spring Training. After all, Alcides Escobar wasn’t waving his magic wand at the first pitch of the game to get things started. What does it mean in the long run? Nothing.
Even in the loss there are a few positives to take away. Only one Royals’ regular struck out. It’s a good sign that their high contact approach hasn’t changed much. The hit parades should keep coming this season. Hopefully, those parades will lead to another parade next November.
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