The Athletics have endured four consecutive losing seasons as they relocated eastward to Sacramento on their way to Las Vegas, but they appear to climbing out of their hole with a young roster. They had a winning record (35-29) after the All-Star break last year, and are in first place early in this season.
Kansas City Royals (11-17) vs. Athletics (15-13) at Sutter Health Park, Sacramento, CA
Royals: 4.18 runs scored/game (21st in MLB), 4.86 runs allowed/game (21st)
Athletics: 4.25 runs scored/game (18th), 4.54 runs allowed/game (18th)
The Athletics’ offensive numbers are very similar to the Royals in runs-per-game, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, home runs, and steals. They have a .360 on-base percentage at home and .291 on the road.
Twenty-nine year old rookie Carlos Cortes has been on fire, hitting .538 (14-for-26) with three home runs in his last seven games, earning AL Player of the Week honors. Nick Kurtz was fifth in the American League with 36 home runs last year, despite not making his MLB debut until April 23. Former Royals slugger Brent Rooker has struggled, but is just coming off the Injured List after missing time with an oblique injury. Infielder Jacob Wilson has the second-lowest walk rate in baseball, with just one free pass in 27 games. Max Muncy (not THIS Max Muncy) has a 35.6 percent strikeout, sixth-highest in baseball. Backup catcher Austin Wynns hit two of his six home runs last year against the Royals.
Aaron Civale has given up 17 hits and 8 runs in 10 innings over his last two starts. Salvador Perez is a career .333 hitters (7-for-21) with three home runs against him. He throws his cutter one-third of the time, but opponents are hitting .296 against it this year.
Luis Severino won his first game of the year in his last start, giving up one run in 6.2 innings against the Rangers. He’s 5-1 with a 3.67 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals, but he has a 6.15 ERA in 17 starts at Sutter Health Park.
Jeffrey Springs has had a reverse split this year, with righties hitting .185/.269/.326 against him this year. He has a 48 percent whiff rate on his change up and has been good at suppressing hard contact.
The A’s have a 4.05 ERA from their bullpen, using a collection of unproven pitchers, and cast-offs from other organizations. Joel Kuhnel is a 31-year-old journeyman who barely has 100 career MLB innings, and has been anointed the closer early on, although 26-year-old Jack Perkins has also had some save opportunities. Former Royals pitcher Scott Barlow joined the A’s after posting a 4.21 ERA in 75 games with the Reds last year.
After a disappointing series loss at home to the White Sox, the Athletics went on the road and won series in Seattle and Texas. They have some talent, but a lot of inconsistent pitching. Sutter Health Park has been a very home run-friendly ballpark, so this is an opportunity for the Royals’ offense to keep rolling.
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