Weekend Rumblings - News for May 11, 2024

Wins are fun!

Dairon Blanco talked about his big game on Thursday night.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m starting or [coming in] late,” Blanco said through interpreter Luis Perez. “I’m always prepared. I keep working hard, and every time I get the opportunity to do it, it’s just a matter of being ready.”

David Lesky reacts to Michael Wacha’s positive start.

First I want to point out something interesting about Wacha. Last year was good enough that it landed him a $16 million contract with the Royals with the chance to add $16 million more to it by his choice after the year. Having an ERA of 3.22 will do that. But after his first start of May last year, he had a 5.46 ERA through 31.1 innings. Before taking the mound in Anaheim, he had a 5.50 ERA in 37.2 innings this year. Last year, he started his recovery in the first of May, but that’s worth noting.

Anyway, the two things that stood out to me were his fastball, which looked so much better and a new slider that Mike Sweeney spoke about on the broadcast.

Daniel Lynch IV was sent down to make room for Alec Marsh, but he showed something in his return to the big leagues.

“[Lynch] was really encouraging, just the composure first of all,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “... Aside from the results, the way he competed, the way the slider looked, the way he used his fastball and moved it around. And last night, you usually think guys are going to have their stuff tick up a little bit out of the bullpen, but to control his emotions in a situation like that — top of the order, bases loaded, nobody out, that showed a lot to me.”

Pete Grathoff writes about how the Royals have improved at hitting with runners on base.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said part of the success is how the batters view the situation.

“At times, it’s a little bit more of a focus, knowing that the pitcher’s the one that’s in trouble and not us at the plate, not a panic type thing,” Quatraro said. “And it’s also just a lot of guys that had very few at-bats in the big leagues now are getting more of those opportunities.”

The Royals lead the American League with a .482 slugging percentage with runners in scoring position. Their 63 strikeouts in those situations are the second-lowest in the American League behind Cleveland.

Jacob Milham at Kings of Kauffman writes the Royals need a break from Nelson Velazquez.

Oakland could trade rookie closer Mason Miller.

Who are the best young pitching tandems in baseball?

How Luis Arraez can make batting title history.

Executives speculate who could be traded this summer.

Mike Trout could have DHed this year, but he opted for knee surgery.

Paul Skenes will make his MLB debut today, how does he compare to another hyped prospect, Stephen Strasburg?

Shohei Ohtani can win a Triple Crown.

Former MLB third baseman Sean Burroughs dies at age 43.

A deal between Perfect Game and Fanatics is raising concerns about amateur player rights.

A man pleads guilty to stealing a Jackie Robinson statue in Wichita.

Kylian Mbappé is leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid.

Netflix may host two Christmas Day NFL games.

Why car key fobs are so hackable.

A solar storm could make the Northern Lights visible across a lot of the U.S. tonight.

A reboot of The Office is coming to Peacock.

Your song of the day is Creedence Clearwater Revival with Lookin’ Out My Back Door.