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Kansas City Royals News: Bullpen struggles and 0-2 to start the season

By Leigh Oleszczak

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 31: Brandon Maurer #37 of the Kansas City Royals throws in the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium on March 31, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 31: Brandon Maurer #37 of the Kansas City Royals throws in the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium on March 31, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Royals news is about the start of the 2018 season, which has been “highlighted” by the atrocious bullpen. Oh and the Royals are 0-2.

Not many expected the Kansas City Royals to be good this year and even less people expected the bullpen to turn heads (in a good way). So far, the pundits are right on both accounts.

The Royals are 0-2 to start their 2018 campaign and led by a decent margin in both games. In Game 1, Danny Duffy blew his own lead, surrendering five runs in the fourth inning and getting pulled after the inning was over. The bullpen then gave up nine more runs.

In the second game, Ian Kennedy pitched brilliantly, but it was all for naught, as Brandon Maurer gave up three runs in the eighth inning. The Royals would drop their second game of the year and are still looking for their first victory after Game 3 was postponed due to weather.

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    • When looking at the bullpen, it’s no surprise that it’s been a rough start for the group. Aside from Kelvin Herrera and Brandon Maurer, everyone in there is a newcomer to Kansas City. Justin Grimm and Blaine Boyer have experience in the majors, but both struggled in the opener. Grimm would redeem himself in Game 2 however by pitching a scoreless seventh inning.

    We’re only two games into the 2018 season, but the bullpen is already looking putrid. Hopefully they figure things out, but after giving up 12 runs in two games, I think fans have a right to be anxious every time that bullpen gate opens.

    Here’s what’s trending in Kansas City Royals news throughout FanSided.

    Bullpen already posing problems for 2018 squad [KC Kingdom]

    "Fans can’t compare this year’s bullpen to the bullpens of yesteryear. The 2014 and 2015 runs were fun, but they’re long gone. H-D-H are no more (well, all but one) and a lead after the sixth inning is no longer guaranteed for the Royals."

    Not much to praise in Opening Day effort

    "It’s easy to harp on this game and how bad it was for the Kansas City Royals, but I can’t stress this part enough: It’s one game. The Royals aren’t going to go 0-162."

    Kyle Lohse Signed to Minor League Deal [Jordan Foote, Kings of Kauffman]

    More from Kansas City Royals

    "it is not wise to expect much (if anything) out of Kyle Lohse in 2018. Being 39 years old already stacks the odds against him. When you throw in the fact that he didn’t pitch last season, it makes this feat even more difficult."

    Check out what else is trending in Kansas City Royals news throughout the rest of the web.

    Royals bullpen blows another game, Royals lose 4-3 [Hokius, Royals Review]

    Kansas City Royals farm system offers mixed bag [Paul Boyd, NWADG]

    We’re only two games into 2018, but it hasn’t necessarily been a fun start to the season. The bullpen is obviously going to be a sore spot, but it’s still early.

    Do the Royals have the type of rotation that can carry the Royals and win them games? Ian Kennedy showed he might be back to his 2016 form, but unfortunately he has nothing to show for it after Maurer blew the lead.

    Beginning the season at 0-2 sucks, but there are still 160 games to go, my friends. Maybe the bullpen will figure things out. We can only hope.

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