Royals Rumblings - News for May 13, 2024

Thanks mom!

Seth Lugo turned in an outstanding performance on Sunday, setting a single-game career-high in strikeouts.

“When one pitch ain’t working, or I see a certain swing or approach from the other team, then I have other options to go to,” Lugo said. “I never feel cornered like I have to be too fine on the corners. I can stay in the zone and attack hitters.”

Lugo generated 43 whiffs and called strikes (38%), which is tied for third-most by a Royals pitcher in a game in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008, playoffs included), behind Danny Duffy (49) and Ervin Santana (44).

Anne Rogers writes about Michael Wacha tinkering with a slider.

On Statcast, sliders all registered as Wacha’s cutter, but it had a different break and, at times, was slower than his actual cutter. He didn’t throw many sliders, but most of them came down and away against righties — like when Angels shortstop Zach Neto swung through one in the bottom of the fifth inning or when whiffed on one in the seventh.

“Getting that working down and away to righties, I feel like it’s a spot I hadn’t really used against righties,” Wacha said. “Being able to land those for strikes down and away and expanding whenever I need to, I think it’s going to be a big plus for me.”

Cole Ragans wasn’t his usual dominant self Saturday.

Ragans only registered 13 whiffs on 55 swings (24%), but 11 of those whiffs came from his changeup on 26 swings (42%), a new career high on that pitch. The Angels whiffed at just two other pitches — a fastball and cutter.

“I think I just got to keep attacking,” Ragans said. “I made some pitches, got weak contact. But they just found the right spot. Just got to flush it and get ready for the next one.”

Adam Frazier reflects on his game-winning home run Friday night.

“(Angels closer Carlos Estévez’s) fastball kind of angles away from lefties,” Frazier said. “(I was) just trying to get him in the zone. Once we got 2-0, I felt pretty good as he was probably going to try to use the heater. I was honestly trying to stay on one and hit it back up the middle. And I just kind of reacted.”

Jaylon Thompson talks to longtime Royals fans as they weigh in on the success of the team.

Preston Farr at Farm to Fountains writes about positives from Royals pitching prospects.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol wins a challenge, but is ejected from the game.

Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes lives up to the hype in his MLB debut.

The Cubs draw six bases-loaded walks in the same inning - and lose.

Matt Carpenter’s bat breaks - before he makes contact?

With Craig Kimbrel struggling, who could Baltimore turn to as closer?

The Cleveland Guardians unveil their City Connect jerseys.

Kris Bryant has had a frustrating tenure with the Rockies.

Former Royals beat writer Andy McCullough has a new book out about Clayton Kershaw.

The Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling scandal is being turned into a TV series.

Former home run champ Khris Davis officially retires to become an auto mechanic.

Statcast has new bat tracking data.

Sam McDowell writes about what could be next for the Chiefs in regards to their stadium.

The Atlanta Hawks defy the odds and land the #1 pick in the NBA draft lottery.

You used to see whiplash neck braces in TV shows, but they are nearly extinct.

The inside story of the first untethered space walk.

Producer and musician Steve Albini, who died last week, believed in a better music industry.

Your song of the day is Foo Fighters with My Hero.