Gamethread XXXIX - Rangers at Royals
Daniel Lynch IV gets a shot at leading the Royals to their second rubber match victory of the season
Fresh off of beating the Toronto Blue Jays to win their first previously split series of the season, the Royals are facing another opportunity to achieve the feat against the Texas Rangers, today, after the teams exchanged crushing defeats in the first two matchups.
Last year’s World Series winner has not been a dominant force in the American League, but they’ve still been pretty good, and taking two out of three from them would be another terrific step toward proving the Royals’ legitimacy in 2024.
Unfortunately for Kansas City, circumstances have conspired against them to a degree. First Alec Marsh was injured, then Jonathan Bowlan’s spot start on Monday went very poorly, and then Michael Wacha had a very bad and very short start last night which has forced Daniel Lynch IV, who has not pitched particularly well in AAA after failing to win the fifth starter job out of Spring Training, to take the mound for KC today. Even worse, he’s pitching on short rest. The bullpen is going to have to be ready to go and if there’s any benefit to the absolute shellacking the Royals endured yesterday, it is that all of their best relievers should be completely ready to jump into this one.
As expected, reliever Colin Selby, who did not acquit himself particularly well yesterday, was demoted to Omaha to make room for Lynch.
The Rangers will counter with Jon Gray who, at age 32, is having a terrific season so far. In seven games, including six starts, he has a 2.48 ERA and hasn’t allowed more than a single run since his first start of the season when he allowed five runs in 3.2 innings to the Chicago Cubs. His last start was his best, yet, throwing eight innings of one-run ball against the Nationals in which he allowed three hits, struck out three, and walked none. He has allowed only two home runs in 32.2 innings.
Lineups
Daniel Lynch IV heads to the mound this afternoon for the deciding game of our series vs. the Rangers on Cinco de Mayo. pic.twitter.com/NCxEMuroSQ
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 5, 2024
Sunday series finale. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/w0XVPJ6Wh4
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 5, 2024
Despite my predictions during this morning’s podcast, the Royals have chosen to bench Hunter Renfroe and Nelson Velázquez for today to make sure Adam Frazier gets another start in right field and to put Salvy at DH for the day game after a night game. MJ Melendez, who has been the worst hitter of the three in recent weeks, and who I think has been pressing to his own detriment, will bat sixth.
Here’s hoping Q knows more than I do.