If I were a Royals’ fan, I’d hate the Guardians.
There was all the reason in the world to think the Royals would win this series today. Seth Lugo had the best numbers of any pitcher on Kansas City’s roster so far this year, and Slade Cecconi has been the worst pitcher on the Guardians’ roster. Lugo has also mostly owned the Guardians. But, that’s why they play the games, folks. Somehow, the Guardians won 8-5 today and have a 4-3 lead on the Royals in their season series, needing to win only three more games to clinch the season series (which could be significant).
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How did the Guardians’ do it?
Well, maybe it was because I wore my Red Diamond C hat today. Or, perhaps because I wrote an unpublished article about how Slade Cecconi should go to the bullpen, hoping to jinx him into a decent start today. Or, perhaps it was because YOU wore your underwear inside out (thank you for your service). More likely, however, it was because the Guardians finally remembered how to hit.
I wasn’t the only one with my doubts:
When the Royals posted their lineup today, Royals’ fan Carson Hudkins on Twitter said, simply: “We win this one”
But, it turns out, the Guardians are capable of hitting Seth Lugo.
Then Bo Naylor finally got one off the Kansas City pen:
Kwan had a hit and a walk, DeLauter had a hit and a walk, Jose had a hit and 2 walks, Kyle Manzardo had a huge double and almost hit another one out, Schneemann had a hit and a walk, Bazzana had a hit and a walk, Rocchio had two hits and a walk, Naylor had two hits and Halpin had a hit and a walk. See, now, Guardians? Wasn’t that easy? Do that every night.
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Slade Cecconi was better! Still gave up six hits and three walks and should be lifted after five. But, he bought himself more time, especially since Logan Allen isn’t doing much. Connor Brogdon is bad and needs to be replaced by Franco Aleman, Hunter Gaddis struggled AGAIN and had to be rescued by Erik Sabrowski overpowering Vinnie Pasquantino. And Cade Smith looks back to his old self, thank heavens, striking out two.
Oh, also, Travis Bazzana made a heads up play and a great throw to nail Maikel Garcia trying to go to third:
Greg on Twitter said today: “Mlb so scripted man. As soon as a pitcher has a 6 era they turn into Randy Johnson when you put money against them. 2 days in a row now getting burned by pitchers with horrible ERAs throwing perfect games 💀”
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Greg, let this be a lesson to you and Emmanuel Clase: Don’t bet on baseball. It’s dumb.
Michael McGee on Twitter said: “Yea it’s official! Lugo needs to hang it up. He wasn’t ever that good to begin with, no reason to think he’ll be worth anything approaching 40 years old.”
Michael, Lugo has had a couple bad games. But, hey, if you want to cut him, I’m interested.
JMP77 said: “Thurs game is SO IMPORTANT. Forget Standings. I mean for the mentality of the team. We got 1 hit….after Ragans left. Must WIN Thurs imo.…..”
Ooops.
Our friends at RoyalsReview tweeted: “Wow, it is possible for the Royals to get Kyle Manzardo out.”
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Yes, it is. But, we do hope he has found some things this week he can carry with him as the boys head back to Cleveland.
The Royals seem like a good fanbase. I almost feel badly about how the Guardians have treated their team over the past decade.
Almost.
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