The Milwaukee Brewers (20-17) will host the Kansas City Royals (12-27) on Friday in the opening game of a three game series. The Brewers have been the superior team this season, but the Royals have the two game winning streak going and the Brewers have lost their last two games.
The Kansas City Royals have been struggling this season, currently holding the second worst record in all of Major League Baseball. They have a -52 run differential, making them the fourth worst team in that category. However, there have been some recent positive signs for the Royals. They are currently on a two-game winning streak and have won four of their last five games. This Friday, they have an opportunity to achieve a three-game winning streak for the first time this season.
Interestingly, the Royals have performed better on the road than at home. They hold a 6-10 record on the road compared to a dismal 6-17 record at home. Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino have been the powerhouses for the team, as both players have hit seven home runs each. Following closely is Bobby Witt Jr., who has contributed six home runs. Perez leads the team with 21 RBI, while Pasquantino boasts the team's best batting average of .290.
Walking off with a series win!#HEYHEYHEYHEY // #WelcomeToTheCity pic.twitter.com/WA3yJGnSTA
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 11, 2023
Looking at the team's pitching situation, the Royals have not yet announced a starting pitcher for Friday's game. As a whole, the Kansas City Royals rank 28th in MLB with a 5.38 ERA, indicating their struggles on the mound. Additionally, the Royals fielding performance has also been terrible as they are also ranked 28th with -15 runs saved.
Despite their overall struggles, the recent winning streak and individual offensive performances from players like Perez, Pasquantino, and Witt Jr. offer a glimmer of hope. They Royals will need to improve their pitching and fielding if they want to turn their season around, but with the weaknesses of the other teams in the American League Central, there is still time and opportunity for Kansas City to climb the MLB standings.