Two wins are better than one!
The Royals were in high spirits after a doubleheader sweep of first place Cleveland, writes Jaylon Thompson.
“We all know what’s the goal,” Perez said. “You know, every time you play a really good team like Cleveland, and you get the first two on the first day, it’s pretty good.”
Cole Ragans left the first game with a leg cramp, but he’s not too concerned, writes Anne Rogers.
“Felt little things throughout the game, but just felt something a little more in the fifth,” Ragans said. “No reason to push it. I’m already struggling to throw strikes.”
Matt Quatraro commented on Will Smith’s injury.
“Will has been battling his back for a while now,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And yesterday it flared up on him while he was pitching. He did gut it out and kept pitching, but today it felt worse. So we are going to take the time to get that right.”
Anne writes about Daniel Lynch’s return to the big leagues.
Lynch should be able to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen, helping bridge the game to the back-end of the bullpen. His goal at Triple-A was pitch execution and the addition of a cutter to help against righties.
“It’s a weird thing when you’re in this position because you really just want to be in the big leagues,” Lynch said. “Down there, you have to balance trying to get better but also just competing. I felt like I went down there just really trying to compete. [July] was great, but this is the goal, and this is where I want to be.”
David Lesky wants to see some roster moves.
I spent way too long on the bullpen, but Garrett Hampson could go now too. Aside from some gaffes in center, his defense has been fine. But since the last day his inflated average was over .300, he’s hit .163/.189/.228 for a wRC+ of 8. Again, not a typo. Michael A. Taylor was just put on waivers by the Pirates. I’m not saying he’s the best option, but I’d rather have that defense in there against lefties and his career .251/.307/.427 line against them than whatever it is Hampson does with his bat.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter writes about the callup for Tyler Gentry.
Zac Miller at Farm to Fountains profiles pitching prospect Ben Kudrna.
Royals Twitter fans are familiar with Jun - he visited Kansas City for a Royals game and Pete Grathoff wrote about it.
Danny Jansen became the first player to appear for both teams in the same game.
Boston falls to five games back of a playoff spot and time is running out.
The Padres sign former All-Star catcher Elias Diaz.
Tigers infielder Javier Baez has season-ending hip surgery.
J.J. Cooper at Baseball America looks at why hitting is so hard these days.
Top Red Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer will miss the rest of the season with a lumbar strain.
What’s next for the Cincinnati Reds?
The Pirates try shortstop Oneil Cruz in centerfield.
The MVP case for Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor.
Barry Bonds enters the Pirates Hall of Fame.
Former Tigers All-Star third baseman Don Wert dies at the age of 86.
Amazon withdraws a $115 million offer to Diamond Sports, owner of Bally Sports Kansas City.
The Chiefs bring back receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Scientists have more evidence on what it was like to be a dinosaur.
Google’s AI ‘Reimagine’ AI editing tool on the Pixel 9 may be too good.
A look back at BoJack Horseman, ten years after its premiere.
Your song of the day is Le Tigre with TKO.
