In the last two weeks, the Royals and Guardians are the two hottest teams in baseball. The Guardians are currently enjoying a seven-game winning streak, although like the Royals, they have won by beating up on some league bottom-feeders – the Giants, Angels, and Rockies.
The Guardians have scored fewer runs than the Royals this year, but have allowed 112 fewer runs. They actually have a losing record at home this year, going 31-34 at Progressive Field.
Kansas City Royals (60-75) vs. Cleveland Guardians
(68-66) at Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Royals: 4.28 runs scored/game (21st in MLB), 4.88 runs allowed/game (25th)
Guardians: 4.05 runs scored/game (27th), 4.08 runs allowed/game (7th)
The Guardians added Jo Adell (117 OPS+ with Cleveland) and Nathaniel Lowe (95) at the trade deadline. Rhys Hoskins is out with a back injury and struggling first baseman Kyle Manzardo was sent down to the minors earlier this month.
Who’s hot?
- Steven Kwan is hitting .377/.472/.462 in 46 games since the start of July.
- Jac Caglianone is hitting .415/.435/.720 in August, and his 219 wRC+ leads all qualified hitters.
Who’s not?
- Brayan Rocchio is hitting just .178/.238/.247 in August.
- Tyler Tolbert is hitting .206/.325/.265 in 40 plate appearances in his last 17 games.
Interesting matchups
- José Ramírez is a career 5-for-23 (.217) hitter against Michael Wacha with no extra base hits.
- Bobby Witt Jr. has hit .375/.483/.750 against Tanner Bibee with three home runs in 29 plate appearances, while Salvador Perez is 1-for-21 (.048)
Michael Wacha has a 2.92 ERA in seven starts over the last three years against Cleveland since joining the Royals. Tanner Bibee could not get through five innings in his previous two starts this year against the Royals. Daniel Lynch IV has a 6.57 ERA in four starts so far. Former Royals pitcher Foster Griffin has given up four earned runs in 16 innings over his last three starts. Seth Lugo has a 5.82 ERA over his last 12 starts, but the Royals are 7-5 in those games. Parker Messick leads all rookie pitchers with 4.2 rWAR.
Cleveland has a 3.72 ERA from their bullpen, seventh-lowest in baseball. Only two teams have fewer blown saves than their 14. Cade Smith is second in all of baseball with 35 saves, blowing just five leads this year. He has a 34 percent strikeout rate, sixth-highest among relievers.
The Royals are hot. But it doesn’t matter much in the standings. The Guardians are hot, and they are in the heat of a run for the post-season. The Royals can play spoiler to a team that has been a thorn in their side for years.
