Game thread XC - Royals at Diamondbacks

It’s not too late for the Royals to turn things around, but it’s ALMOST too late.

The Royals won their second game in a row last night for the first time in two weeks. If they win again this afternoon, it will also be the first time they’d done such in two weeks. Funny how that works.

Michael Wacha will take the mound for the Royals. His last start against the Mariners did not go according to plan. As with so many of his starts this year, things started well with him allowing only a single run the first two times through the order, but during that third time through he allowed five hitters to reach base in two innings, and one of those outs was a Cal Raleigh sacrifice fly. He also gave up four runs combined in the fifth and sixth. The fact that the Royals didn’t have to use their best relievers last night should mean Q can give Wacha a short leash today if he needs to. That said, every bad Wacha start this year has been followed by a strong bounceback outing, so hopefully that will occur today.

Wacha did face the Diamondbacks last year and allowed three runs in 4.2 innings on July 24. All solo shots.

The Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson to the mound. The 27-year-old right-hander started the year in the D-Backs’ pen, but has joined the rotation due to a plethora of injuries. His strikeout and walk rates have diminished significantly since the shift, but his ERA looks better because he had an unsustainably bad strand rate as a reliever, which has normalized a bit as a starter. His FIP, xFIP and other somewhat more predictory stats suggest he’s been at least as lucky as a starter as he was unlucky as a reliever.

Lineups

The Royals aren’t doing anything particularly notable with their lineup as compared to recent weeks. Salvador Perez will be at first. Nick Loftin gets the start in left field. Last night’s bus driver, Vinnie Pasquantino, will be the designated hitter.

Unfortunately for Royals fans, the Diamondbacks were able to return Corbin Carroll to their lineup earlier than expected. He will lead off and start in right field for them today. The good news is that All-Star starter Ketel Marte is getting the day off. Pavin Smith also rejoins the lineup with a righty on the mound. Wacha will have his work cut out for him.