Latest news with #KansasCityRoyals
Los Angeles Times
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Far from their best, Dodgers find a way to beat Royals and move into MLB wins lead
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dave Roberts has a high bar for his $400 million baseball team. Sure, the Dodgers entered Friday winners of 13 of their 17, tied for the best overall record in baseball, and leading the National League West by six games. Sure, they already have one guaranteed All-Star in Shohei Ohtani, and seven other finalists who advanced to the second stage of fan voting that will begin next week. But, in the eyes of their manager, 'I still just don't believe we're playing our best baseball,' Roberts said Friday afternoon. 'I don't think we've played complete baseball for a stretch.' On Friday night, the Dodgers still weren't at their best. Dustin May managed just four innings in a four-run start. The lineup produced only four total hits. Teoscar Hernández made a defensive blunder in the outfield. And the bullpen danced in and out of trouble down the stretch. But right now, amid this soft portion of the team's schedule, flawed performances have often still been enough. And in Friday's 5-4 win over the badly slumping Kansas City Royals, that once again proved to be the case. For all the Dodgers' shortcomings, they did just enough to compensate in a series opener at Kauffman Stadium. May gave up a run in the first after letting three straight batters reach with two outs … but not before Ohtani opened the scoring with a leadoff blast. Hernández let a hard-hit but very-much-catchable line drive get over his head in right field in the third, fueling a three-run Royals rally that was punctuated by Bobby Witt Jr.'s two-run blast … but that was sandwiched by a two-run Max Muncy homer in the second, and a game-tying triple from Ohtani in the fifth. Mookie Betts eventually put the Dodgers in front one at-bat after Ohtani's triple, singling him home to give the Dodgers a 5-4 lead. And though May's high pitch count forced him to exit after early, a worn-down Dodgers bullpen patched together five scoreless frames, escaping their biggest jam in the ninth when closer Tanner Scott induced a game-ending double-play with the bases loaded. It wasn't pretty, but it was still enough to move the Dodgers into sole possession of the best record in the majors at 52-31. That extended stretch of dominance is still eluding them. But for now, they're finding ways to win anyway.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bobby Witt Jr. ‘finds' fix that will terrify MLB
The post Bobby Witt Jr. 'finds' fix that will terrify MLB appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Kansas City Royals have endured recent struggles, including a five-game losing streak. Infielder Bobby Witt Jr. was blunt after a June 14 loss to the Athletics. Advertisement 'We have to figure something out, he said, per Anne Rogers of 'We have to change something. So the time was now.' Nevertheless, Witt is having a fairly decent season. He's batting .285 with 83 hits, nine home runs, and 39 RBIs, along with an OPS of .830. Good numbers, but pale in comparison to the numbers he put up last year. In 2024, Witt batted .332 with 211 hits, 32 home runs, and 109 RBIs as well as an OPS of .977. He was in the hunt for the American League MVP before it was given to Aaron Judge. Witt was named one of the 50 best MLB players entering this season. He entered Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers 28% above the league average in OPS. Also, the Royals are ranked 29th in runs per game, just above the Pittsburgh Pirates. Advertisement However, Witt is improving thanks to a few techniques, per Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. According to a team official, Witt's been working with his hitting coaches as well as biomechanical experts to improve his hitting. Moreover, he's made a crucial adjustment to hit the ball better. Over the last four games, Witt is 7-for-15 at the plate, a batting average of .467. He's added a home run and three doubles in the process. On Thursday, he went 2 for 3, including a walk, as the Royals defeated the Rangers 4-1. The Royals are 37-38 and are in 4th place in the American League Central Division. The value of Bobby Witt Jr. to the Royals Witt is considered to be the face of the Royals. In February 2024, Witt signed a massive $288 million contract extension with the franchise for 11 years. Advertisement He's a consistent hitter who can hit for average and power. In addition, Witt is ubiquitous on the base paths. In the field, he can play shortstop and third base and won a Gold Glove Award in 2024. The hope for the Royals is to build the team around him for the future. Related: Royals' All-Star dealt concerning injury update Related: What Royals' Jac Caglianone said after hitting first career home run
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Maikel Garcia Player Props: June 27, Royals vs. Dodgers
Maikel Garcia is looking to build on a one-hit performance in his last game (1 for 4). His Kansas City Royals take on Dustin May and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday at 8:10 p.m. ET on MLB Network, FDSKC and SportsNet LA. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Maikel Garcia player prop bets. Garcia has put up a team-best batting average of .309. He has hit eight home runs and collected 36 RBI. Watch tonight's Royals game on Fubo! Maikel Garcia Prop Bets and Odds How to Watch Kansas City Royals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Maikel Garcia prop bet insights MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Friday at 1:26 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Maikel Garcia stats against the Dodgers Dodgers starter: Dustin May
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Shohei Ohtani Player Props: June 27, Dodgers vs. Royals
Shohei Ohtani's Los Angeles Dodgers face the Kansas City Royals on June 27 at 8:10 p.m. ET, and will see starter Noah Cameron on the hill. Ohtani hit one homer in his last game, finishing 1-for-3. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Shohei Ohtani player prop bets. Ohtani has a team-best 28 home runs. He has 52 RBI. Ohtani's home runs rank second in MLB and he ranks 19th in RBI in MLB. Ohtani has hit safely in four games in a row. In his last five games he is hitting .278 with a triple, three home runs, four walks and eight RBIs. Watch tonight's Dodgers game on Fubo! Shohei Ohtani Prop Bets and Odds How to Watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Kansas City Royals Shohei Ohtani prop bet insights MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Friday at 1:26 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Shohei Ohtani stats against the Royals Royals starter: Noah Cameron
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Blue Jays, Royals Involved In Ongoing $45 Million Trade Buzz
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Toronto Blue Jays need to add some pitching ahead of the trade deadline this season, or all their work will be for nothing. The pitching staff in Toronto has talent, but not depth. Bowden Francis hasn't been good this season, and the Blue Jays have been left with few options at the big league level. Still, they're in contention for a postseason spot. The Blue Jays will need to add one or two starting pitchers ahead of the trade deadline if they want to contend with the New York Yankees in the American League East, though. Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN recently listed the Blue Jays as one of the best fits in a potential trade for Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 6: Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals pitches in a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on June 6, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 6: Seth Lugo #67 of the Kansas City Royals pitches in a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on June 6, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois."Lugo has posted mid-3.00s or lower ERAs for five seasons despite having below-average fastball velocity and good-not-great strikeout rates," they wrote. "His ability to strand runners and limit hard contact comes in part due to his nine different pitches. With a Nathan Eovaldi-type contract awaiting Lugo in free agency, Kansas City could opt to move him, especially if Cole Ragans' injured shoulder doesn't improve." Lugo would be a huge upgrade for the Blue Jays. He's quietly been one of the more dominant pitchers in the AL this season, holding an ERA around 3.00 and a WHIP around 1.00. But the better part of this idea is the Blue Jays likely wouldn't need to trade a King's Ransom for Lugo like they would for other starters like Sandy Alcántara. Having an affordable trade target would allow the Blue Jays to contend this year without sacrificing their farm system. More MLB: Red Sox Need Righty Pop; Could Braves $65 Million Slugger Be Fit?
