Game 1 victory!
Maikel Garcia had a big walk and steal to score the only run of Game 1.
“That was the difference,” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro. “He works a tremendous at-bat for the walk, steals second, scores on the hit. That is the difference in the game, and we know his capabilities. We know how good he is at stealing bases. Everyone does, right? It’s no secret. But to be able to execute there and to be in scoring position for Bobby, we’ll take that chance every day of the week.”
Lucas Erceg says a visit from Salvador Perez on the mound calmed him to get the final outs of the Game 1 victory.
“He was basically checking me,” Erceg said. “He said, ‘Are you good? Let’s go. Like, come on, this is it.’ So he kind of locked me back in and got me back in the zone.”
Erceg rebounded and struck out Rutschman on six pitches. He fed him a steady diet of four-seam fastballs and changeups. Rutschman fouled off a pair before being caught looking on a 92.5-mph changeup at the bottom of the strike zone.
Cole Ragans had to exit after six innings with leg cramps.
When he felt the cramping on every pitch during his last two batters – Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle in the heart of the O’s lineup – Ragans knew he needed to tell Quatraro, who was fully planning on sending Ragans back out for the seventh and beyond.
“I want to be healthy,” Ragans said. “I plan on having quite a few more starts. So I just didn’t want to push it to where it ends up being something more serious than it needs to be.”
Jaylon Thompson writes about how Vinnie Pasquantino was able to come back so quickly from a broken thumb.
“It feels awesome,” Pasquantino said. “You put a lot of work into this and it’s kind of a special, personal day just because we finally got the green light. I had my eyes set on a little bit earlier than this, but despite all (the) arguing, that was not realistic. So, we did everything we could, and we are here now. The rehab is not over, but the games can start. We are excited about it.”
The Royals will continue to monitor Pasquantino as he returns to the lineup — solely in a DH role.
Anne Rogers has more.
“The emotions are pretty good today,” Pasquantino said.
“... We know the risk, though. Because there are risks to it. But in my mind, there are some rewards, too.”
She also writes about Cole Ragans’ long road from Tommy John surgery to Game 1 starter.
“I love it here,” Ragans said. “This team is special, I love the city of Kansas City, I love the fans. Everything about it.
“I’ve enjoyed every fricken’ second I’ve been here.”
And she details how their belief in themselves led to on-field success.
“It starts with the culture inside the locker room,” second baseman Michael Massey said this weekend. “I’ve never been with a team [as] close as we are. That’s part of this. [Manager Matt Quatraro’s] saying, ‘Today,’ has resonated. You just go out and control what you can today. There are so many things that are out of your control, and a lot of getting to where you’re at is how you respond to those things. We’ve all embraced it.”
Sam McDowell writes about how J.J. Picollo transformed the Royals organization.
“It kind of pains me to say,” Picollo said. “(but) we felt like what we needed was to get a little bit of outside influence — fresh thoughts — and to challenge us professionally.”...
It’s pretty easy to find some examples of the implementation. The Royals have added about three dozen new staffers in various baseball operations departments. It’s not even really about the number. It’s about the type. Most have pretty similar backgrounds, and what’s most interesting is they contrast the background of the man making the hires.
If you want the buzzword of this baseball decade dropped in: Yes, it’s more data.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter looks how the Royals stack up with the Orioles.
David Lesky also offers his series preview as does Craig Brown.
Tarik Skubal leads the Tigers to a Game 1 Wild Card win over the Astros.
The Mets keep their momentum going with a Game 1 win over the Brewers.
Fernando Tatis Jr. homered to help the Padres defeat the Braves.
Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick slams pitcher Jordan Montgomery for not playing up to his contract.
Baseball had its highest stolen base total since 1915.
The Mariners are expecting to increase payroll next year.
Brewers owners Mark Attanasio says revenues are strong.
The Blue Jays make changes to their pitching staff.
A list of 2024-25 free agents.
How Pete Rose became “Charlie Hustle.”
The Raiders may trade receiver Davante Adams - who would be a fit?
Gonzaga will join the Pac-12 in 2026.
Mount Everest is still getting taller.
The best, worst, and weirdest games from four decades of The Legend Of Zelda.
How Kris Kristofferson helped comic book movies go legit.
Your song of the day is Journey with Don’t Stop Believin’.
