Kansas City Royals: Starting Rotation Has Been Great So Far
The Kansas City Royals knew their bullpen would be regressing in 2017 and that their starting rotation would have to perform better than they did in 2016. So far, the rotation has been tremendous.
We’re only ten games into the 2017 MLB season, but the KC Royals have found their strongest spot on the team: Starting pitching. Two years ago, that statement would have made any baseball fan laugh their tail off, but this season it’s true.
As of April 15th, the Kansas City Royals are currently ranked second in the entire league in rotation ERA with a 2.70 average. They trail only the Cubs, who post a 2.65 ERA in ten games.
That seems unreal, but when you look at the starters and the performances they’ve put on, it makes sense.
Aside from Jason Hammel, who has yet to have a good start, the rest of the rotation has pitched at least one good game. Danny Duffy and Jason Vargas have both gone at least six innings in both of their starts, with Duffy going seven innings in two and Vargas going 7.2 innings in his second start.
Right now, here’s what the rotation stats look like:
- Danny Duffy – 2-0 Record, 1.80 ERA,17 strikeouts, 1.05 WHIP
- Jason Hammel – 0-1 Record, 6.52 ERA, six strikeouts, 1.97 WHIP
- Ian Kennedy – 0-2 Record, 4.09 ERA, nine strikeouts, 1.45 WHIP
- Nate Karns – 0-0 Record, 7.11 ERA, five strikeouts, 1.89 WHIP
- Jason Vargas – 2-0 Record, 0.66 ERA, 14 strikeouts, 0.88 WHIP
While those numbers don’t look all that impressive, the rotation has done its part, especially with a weak offensive unit.
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Karns’ numbers are skewed from an abymsal bullpen appearance in the opening series, but his lone start with the Royals was a good one. He went 5.2 innings and only allowed one run off of six hits. If he can pitch like that in every game, he’ll be a solid trade acquisition for this team.
The only starter I’m concerned about is Jason Hammel, who has yet to make a good start. Kennedy might have an 0-2 record, but his second start really wasn’t bad at all. His offense just couldn’t put up runs and Kennedy’s one mistake of allowing a two-run bomb ended up handing him his second loss of the season.
Hammel, on the other hand, has yet to make it past five innings in either start. He got lit up by the Athletics on Wednesday night, allowing four runs off of seven hits. Hammel is an important piece in this rotation and he did well with the Cubs last season, so the hope is still there that he can turn it around after two rough starts.
It’s obvious that Duffy and Vargas are the two best arms in this rotation, but Kennedy and Karns aren’t far behind. If those two can be consistently “decent”, then the Royals might be in good position to make the postseason this year.