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KC Royals Need To Keep Bryce Harper Cool

By Scott Dillon

Apr 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) looks on during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) looks on during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez (36) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during a MLB game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez (36) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during a MLB game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Monday, May 2nd – 7:15 Central Time

Edinson Volquez VS Gio Gonzalez

The KC Royals are going to have to face a very craft left-handed pitcher to get a winning streak started. Lefties have created somewhat of a stigma for the Royals and perhaps unfairly so.

So far this season, the Royals are slashing .255/.310/.391 against right-handed pitching. Against southpaws, they’re slashing .250/.299/.390 which is almost identical. The only real difference is the number of at bats. They’ve faced right handers 640 times compared to only 164 at-bats against lefties.

They have to shake that Madison Bumgarner stigma sooner or later. I thought that it might have been put to rest when Kendrys Morales blasted a home run off of Dallas Keuchal last year. It’s all been undone by Wade Miley.

Gio Gonzalez has been phenomenal this season. In four starts, he’s pitched 25.1 innings and struck out 25 batters. He’s also got an ERA of 1.42. Did I mention those starts came against the Twins, Phillies, and Braves? The Braves and Twins are fighting to see who the worst team in baseball is, and the Phillies are outperforming their abilities right now.

Against the Royals, Gonzalez has been hit fairly hard. He’s got a .327 average against the Royals’ hitters and has allowed home runs to Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer. Hosmer actually has two home runs against Gonzalez and is 4-6 against him in his career.

Salvador Perez is 5-6 against Gonzalez and Gordon is 4-10. Maybe this is the pitcher to help Gordon bust out of his slump.

Edinson Volquez has also been hit fairly hard by the Nationals. They are 20-68 against him in their career which is good for a .294 batting average.

Daniel Murphy has had the most success against ‘Steady Eddy’. He’s 6-15 in his career. Bryce Harper on the other hand, is 0-6.

Volquez has been very good for the Royals this season. Don’t let his last outing fool you.

With one out and a lead against the Angels last Tuesday night, he got C.J. Cron to ground into a double play to Omar Infante. Infante had the ball deflect off his palm and it was ultimately scored a base hit. A bloop and a blast later, Volquez watched his chance for a quality start go out the window.

In spite of that outing that saw him give up eight ‘earned’ runs, he’s still got a 3.34 ERA on the season. Look for him to get back on track tonight.

Next: You Mean Like A Tall Man?

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