The Kansas City Royals have defied expectations in the first two months of the 2024 season. They are second in the American League Central with a record of 32-19. One of the main reasons has been a standout start to the season by their pitching staff. That was not expected to be the case heading into the regular season. In 2023, the Kansas City Royals had one of the worst pitching staffs in baseball and that was a contributing factor in them having the second-fewest wins in the league(56) last season.
In 2023, Kansas City had the league’s third-highest ERA, surrendered the eighth-most home runs, and had the fifth-worst opposing batting average. The script has been completely flipped for the pitching staff of the Royals in 2024. The team is eighth in team ERA, has surrendered the third-fewest home runs, and is third in Quality Starts.
Will the Royals pitching staff be able to keep it up for the remainder of the regular season and beyond?
What Pitchers Are Leading The Kansas City Royals in 2024?
What a difference a year makes 📈#WelcomeToTheCity pic.twitter.com/Fh2ONNMLcl
— MLB Now (@MLBNow) May 24, 2024
Starting Pitcher Seth Lugo is having a career resurgence during his first season in Kansas City. He is 7-1 with an ERA of 1.79. His seven wins are tied for second in all of MLB while his ERA is fourth-best in the entire league. Starting Pitcher Cole Ragans has also made his presence known this season as he is fourth in the league in strikeouts. He is coming off a 12-strikeout performance in Wednesday’s 8-2 win at home against the Detroit Tigers.
Even though the Kansas City Royals starting pitching is getting all of the fanfare, and deservedly so, their bullpen has also been really good thus far. Closer James McArthur is seventh in the league with 11 saves and is pitching much better as of late notching four consecutive saves. Relief Pitcher John Schreiber has 12 holds this season, which is fourth-best in the league. Schreiber has a miniscule 1.25 ERA across 22 appearances.
Royals Upcoming Schedule
Following an off-day on Thursday, the Kansas City Royals begin a three-game series in the “Sunshine State” against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. Kansas City continues its road trip after leaving Tampa with a four-game set against the Minnesota Twins beginning on Monday, May 27.
Many of the Royals pitchers are having career years and will need to keep it up for the team to make the MLB Playoffs for the first time since they won the World Series in 2015. The Kansas City Royals have themselves in a prime position to do just that, but with another 100+ games left in the regular season, anything can happen.
About The Author
Justin has always loved sports. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated and 247Sports. He is always willing to talk football (NFL or college) and basketball, whether it’s on the women’s or men’s side, college or pro! Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy
