Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to Thursday Afternoon Baseball featuring the Kansas City Royals. In today’s episode, the Good Guys look for win no. 5 in a row (which would also be six out of seven) against the dastardly Athletics, who, once upon a time, called Kansas City home. Now, they’re the only team without one.
On the mound for the Royals will be Randy Dobnak, his stellar beard, and flowing locks. Dobnak, making his seventh start of the season, looks to follow up on his solid start against
the Angels back on August 15th. In the game, in which he received no decision, and which the Angels ultimately won, 1-0, Dobnak pitched 5-and-2/3 innings while striking out six, walking two, allowing four hits, and giving up zero runs. Alas: he had no run support.
For the year, Dobnak is 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 1.296 WHIP, with 25 strikeouts and 16 walks in 41-and-2/3 innings. I wouldn’t mind Dobnak returning to the Royals in 2027 (if a season happens) but only as the team’s fourth or fifth starter. Right now, I imagine next year’s rotation looking something like this:
- Michael Wacha
- Noah Cameron
- Seth Lugo
- Randy Dobnak
- ?????
I would not be opposed to signing a starter who takes over the first slot and pushes everyone else down. Can the Royals compete with a rotation headlined by Wacha/Cameron/Lugo/Dobnak? Eh.
Also, if you’re one of those fans who doesn’t like talking about next season on August 20th, well, may I point out to you the standings? Wins and losses are moot at this point. Contention is out the window. Let a man dream.
Back to the here and now: the Royals face another lefty today, this one named Gage Jump. Reminds me of Jame Gumb. It puts the lotion on its skin. Anyway, Gumb—I mean, Jump—is only 23, a rookie, and not having a bad year. He’s been a bright spot on this blight of a season for the Nomadletics: 5-7, 4.50 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 1.449 WHIP, 85 strikeouts, 37 walks over 15 games started in which he’s pitched a total of 78 innings. The A’s drafted him just two years about out of LSU.
Facing a lefty, you get the Royals’ lefty lineup:
Carter Jensen receives off the afternoon with Luke Maile behind the dish, Salvador Perez manning first, and Vinnie Pasquantino DHing. In case you missed it, Starling Marte is no longer available off the bench, as the Royals released him this morning. I’m sad that didn’t work out.
No active Royal has faced Jump.
With Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia back in the lineup the past few games, the Royals look like they have 7/9 of a decent lineup. For next season, I’d like a different left fielder and for Salvy to move permanently to a back-up role. Kyle Isbel and Tyler Tolbert could platoon in center.
For Sacramento Las Vegas the Athletics
Not much to say about this lineup. Lawrence Butler has struggled. No Nick Kurtz again. He’s only on the 10-day IL, but hasn’t played since July 31st. I wouldn’t be surprised if they shut him down entirely.
Uh…yeah. That’s about it. Behold the lineup for the worst team in baseball.
First pitch at 1:10.
