With Thursday’s 13-3 win over the Houston Astros, the Kansas City Royals are one of the hottest teams in baseball, having won seven games in a row and eight of their past nine games. Two of the biggest driving forces behind that resurgence have been a pitching staff that has allowed just 18 runs during the current winning streak, as well as the continued emergence of baseball’s next superstar in Bobby Witt Jr.
The pitching improvement is especially noteworthy because the Royals made a huge effort in the offseason to strengthen their rotation, taking advantage of a buyer’s market by signing veteran starters Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha. Lugo signed a two-year contract (with a third-year player option) worth $45 million while Wacha signed a two-year, $32 million contract.
They were significant signings for a franchise that has not been known for taking big swings in free agency.
Those additions have completely revamped a Royals pitching staff that was 28th in the league in ERA a year ago. Lugo and Wacha are bona fide top-of-the-rotation starts and have already make a big impact.
As a duo, they have combined for five starts this season and in 30 2/3 innings between them have allowed just 22 hits, seven walks and only six earned runs while striking out 22 batters. Those numbers come out to a 0.96 WHIP and a 1.78 ERA. The pair has combined for a 3-0 record.
Then there is Witt Jr., who is leading the Royals offense.
The 23-year-old shortstop had a monster day on Thursday, going 4-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI. He already had the look of a rising star coming into this season, but his game has really started to reach another level early on. After Thursday’s win, Witt Jr. is now hitting .358 this season with an incredible 1.169 OPS.
He was also a huge part of the Royals’ spending this offseason, signing a franchise record 11-year. $279 million contract extension.
Locking in Witt Jr. to that deal and then making a significant effort to improve the roster in the short-term by signing two top pitchers, is the kind of commitment that can get fans excited. Winning games the way the Royals are right now also helps.
