Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 18th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Kansas City Royals are turning to their "exceptional" talent, Bobby Witt Jr., in hopes of avoiding a sweep by the visiting Detroit Tigers. The Royals (82-70) are currently holding onto the second wild card spot in the American League, with the Tigers (79-73) trailing them by three games and the Minnesota Twins by 1 1/2 games for the final wild-card spot.
Despite his impressive season, Witt's baserunning abilities are often overlooked. While he leads the league with a .331 average and ranks among the top players in home runs (32), extra-base hits (86), runs (123), and RBIs (108), he also ranks highly in stolen bases (30).
Witt himself acknowledges the importance of his baserunning, stating that he is always looking to get an extra 90 feet and get into better scoring position for his teammates. He also became the first shortstop in MLB history to have two seasons with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, after hitting 30 home runs and stealing 49 bases last year.
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Teammates and coaches alike have high praise for Witt, with left-hander Cole Ragans calling him the best player in baseball and manager Matt Quatraro stating that he is a special talent and a special human being. Despite reaching this milestone, Witt remains focused on the team's goals and is ready to move on from the loss on Tuesday.
The Royals received some positive news about their injured pitchers, James McArthur and Michael Lorenzen, ahead of Tuesday's game. McArthur suffered a right elbow sprain and will be shut down for five to seven days, with hopes that it is not a season-ending injury. Lorenzen, who has been dealing with a left hamstring strain, had a throwing session and is scheduled for a live BP on Saturday.
In the series finale on Wednesday, Kansas City's Alec Marsh (8-8, 4.52 ERA) will face off against Detroit's Tarik Skubal (16-4, 2.50 ERA). Marsh has previously beaten the Tigers, allowing three runs in six innings back in May. Skubal, a top contender for the AL Cy Young award, has struggled against the Royals in his career, with a 2-9 record and 5.05 ERA in 14 appearances.
The Tigers' bullpen has been a key factor in their two wins in this series, shutting out the Royals after the fifth inning on Monday and holding them hitless after the fifth inning on Tuesday. Closer Jason Foley has been particularly impressive, recording his 25th save on Tuesday and converting 10 straight save opportunities.
Despite the heavy workload, Foley and the rest of the bullpen have been performing well. Foley acknowledges the reliance on the bullpen and credits their success to their hard work and dedication.
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Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Recap MAY 22TH 2024
Cole Ragans struck out a career-high 12 batters, Freddy Fermin drove in three runs, and the host Kansas City Royals completed a three-game series sweep by downing the Detroit Tigers 8-3 on Wednesday afternoon.
Ragans (4-3) gave up just one hit and walked three in six scoreless innings. Bobby Witt Jr. supplied a two-run double and Nelson Velazquez had a solo homer for the Royals. Maikel Garcia had two hits and scored two runs.
Detroit starter Tarik Skubal (6-1) gave up four runs and six hits in five innings with six strikeouts. Andy Ibanez led the offense with a two-run double.
The Royals broke through in the second inning. Velazquez drew a one-out walk before Fermin ripped a double off the left-center field wall, allowing Velazquez to score. After a strikeout, Garrett Hampson lofted a double to the warning track in left to score Fermin.
Ragans struck out six of the first eight batters before walking Jake Rogers. Ragans then struck out Ibanez with a slider.
Velazquez led off the bottom of the inning with his fourth homer, a blast to left-center off a Skubal fastball.
After getting the first out in the fifth, Skubal gave up consecutive singles to Garcia, Witt and Vinny Pasquantino, with Garcia scoring to make it 4-0.
Ragans recorded his 10th strikeout against Ibanez to start off the sixth. Matt Vierling then drew a four-pitch walk. With two out, Riley Greene ended the no-hit bid with an opposite-field single. Ragans struck out Gio Urshela to end that threat.
Detroit got on the board against Will Smith in the seventh. Cole Keith walked and Rogers had a one-out single before Ibanez doubled to left to knock in both runners.
Kansas City responded in the bottom of the inning. Adam Frazier walked and Garcia singled, then stole second. Witt delivered both runners with a double. After the Royals loaded the bases, Fermin ripped a two-run single to center.
Baez had an RBI single in the eighth.