The Kansas City Royals are looking to rebound after a tough week of losses as they gear up to face the Cleveland Guardians in a three-game series. The Royals briefly moved into a tie atop the American League Central but then suffered five straight defeats, including a four-game sweep by the Houston Astros. This losing streak has dropped them into a tie for second place in the division with the Minnesota Twins, trailing the Guardians by 3 1/2 games.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro expressed his frustration with the recent series against the Astros, stating, “We didn’t come out of here with any wins. That’s what we play for is to win every day. That stinks.” However, the team remains optimistic as they prepare to face Cleveland, a team they had success against earlier in the week.
Adding to the excitement for the Royals are the recent acquisitions of veteran players Tommy Pham, Robbie Grossman, and Yuli Gurriel. Pham, in particular, is eager to contribute to the team’s success, stating, “I just want to bring some consistency and help this team win as bad as possible. Try to get in the postseason and make a long run.” Pham made an impact in his debut game with the Royals, going 2-for-5 at the plate.
On the other side, the Cleveland Guardians are coming off a series win against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with standout performances from players like Jose Ramirez and rookie Kyle Manzardo. Ramirez, who hit his 34th homer of the season, continues to impress with his skills on the field. Pirates manager Derek Shelton praised the Guardians, highlighting their athleticism and strong bullpen.
Manzardo, who hit his first two career homers in the recent series, expressed relief at achieving this milestone after a challenging start to the season. “I knew coming back that I didn’t have one yet, so that was on my list of things to do,” Manzardo said. “It took a little weight off my shoulders. It was good.”
As the Royals and Guardians prepare to face off in their upcoming series, both teams will be relying on their starting pitchers to set the tone for the games. Cleveland’s Gavin Williams will take the mound against Kansas City’s Michael Wacha in what promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented right-handers.
Williams, who has had a mixed season, will be looking to bounce back after a tough stretch of games. Wacha, on the other hand, is nearing a career milestone of 100 victories and will be eager to secure another win for the Royals. The battle between these two pitchers will be crucial in determining the outcome of the series.
In addition to the pitching duel, fans can look forward to seeing standout players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Jose Ramirez in action. Witt, who recently hit his 30th homer of the year, continues to impress with his power at the plate. Ramirez, a consistent performer for the Guardians, poses a formidable challenge for opposing pitchers with his hitting prowess.
Overall, the upcoming series between the Royals and Guardians promises to be a thrilling showdown between two teams vying for success in the American League Central. With both teams hungry for wins, fans can expect to see intense competition and exciting moments on the field as they battle for supremacy in the division.