Kansas City Royals: Five Players to Watch Vs San Francisco Giants

Apr 16, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) leaps into the arms of Mike Moustakas (8) after hitting a walk-off single against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

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Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jason Hammel (39) – Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

JASON HAMMEL

The only Royals starter to not make it past five innings this season is Jason Hammel, who the Royals signed over the offseason. Hammel had a nice regular season with the Cubs last year, but did struggle near the end of the year. In fact, Hammel, as good as he was during the season, was not even on the Cubs’ postseason roster.

If this ends up being how Hammel’s season goes, then he’ll easily wind up as the fifth man in the rotation.

Hammel has continued to struggle in his first two starts with the Royals. He has an 0-1 record with a 6.52 ERA in only 9.2 innings thrown. He’s struck out six batters and walked six batters as well.

Hammel got destroyed by Oakland last Wednesday allowing four runs off of seven hits in only 4.2 innings of work. He was not good at all and put the Royals in a bad position in that game.

If this ends up being how Hammel’s season goes, then he’ll easily wind up as the fifth man in the rotation. Danny Duffy, Jason Vargas, Nate Karns, and Ian Kennedy all look much better than Hammel has so far .

Hammel will take the mound on Tuesday and will be facing off against Matt Cain of San Francisco. Cain has an ERA of 4.82 in 9.1 innings of work.

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