Kansas City Royals: Lineup Trouble In Cleveland

Tonight’s lineup looks a lot different than it normally does. Omar Infante is batting fifth. No Whit Merrifield, No Paulo Orlando. What’s going on with the first place Kansas City Royals?

The last time Omar Infante batted fifth, July 12, 2014. It’s been a while. The Royals took on Rick Porcello of the Detroit Tigers that day. Kansas City lost the game five  to one. Pushing the Royals 7.5 games back of first place to 47-46 in the AL central.

Here’s what tonight’s lineup looks like thanks to Royals sideline reporter, Joel Goldberg.

So why is Infante batting fifth for the first place, 30-22, Royals? Ned Yost said he wanted to give Orlando and Merrifield a day off.

Why do both players have to have the same day off? Yost says he loves the versatility of Merrifield being able to play any position on the diamond besides pitcher and catcher. Not having his versatility in the lineup tonight may hinder this team offensively and defensively.

Since being called up from triple A Omaha, Whit Merrifield has given the offense a much needed boost and a reliable defender who can play where Kansas City needs him. His slash numbers this season are .360/.360/.480.

His defensive numbers look good as well. Through 12 games played (11 started) he’s got a perfect fielding percentage of 1.000 and two outfield assists. He’s played four different positions so far. Playing second base, third base, left field and right field for the Royals.

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Paulo Orlando just lost a 19 game hitting streak yesterday. He’s slashing .361/.382/.474 through 30 games played this season. He’s got six double, one triple and a home run with 10 runs batted in (RBI).

Orlando’s defensive numbers could be better. He has one error and two outfield assists for a .978 fielding percentage. Sometimes the paths he takes to track down fly balls can be a little scary. Luckily, he’s fast enough to make up for most of his bad reads.

With both of those guys out of the lineup, other guys will need to step up for them. The most pressure is on Omar Infante. He’s batting fifth. Fifth is considered one of the premium scoring positions.

Omar Infante‘s slash numbers so far are .246/.287/.331. He’s got 32 hits mostly singles. He has 10 extra base hits, nine doubles and a triple.

The 34-year-old’s defensive numbers have taken a dive as well with a fielding percentage .976 with four errors at second base.

Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain will have to carry the Royals tonight if Kansas City has any chance of winning this game.

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Thankfully for Royals fans, Hosmer and Cain are white hot right now.

Eric Hosmer’s slash line is .328/.373/.547 with 10 homers, 12 doubles and a triple. He’s driven in 35 RBI’s as well.

Hosmer also is great at defense. The three time defending Gold Glove winner looks to be headed towards a fourth straight, with a fielding percentage of .995 with two errors and 402 put outs on 428 attempts.

Lorenzo Cain been on his own train of greatness this season. He’s got a slash line of .305/.355/.422. He’s got more home runs (8) than doubles (7) while adding 34 RBI’s in 50 games.

His defensive numbers are great as well. He’s got a .993 fielding percentage with one error, two outfield assists and 132 put outs on 135 chances.

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The Royals could continue the winning streak tonight but don’t get too excited if they don’t. If the Royals lose this games, the loss could go in the category of “Yosted”. If Kansas City wins this game put it in the category of “Players Stepping Up, Again”.