Game 114 Open Thread - San Francisco Giants (62-53) vs. Kansas City Royals (60-53)

Left-hander Madison Bumgarner (13-8, 3.21 ERA) takes the hill for the Giants tonight. Bumgarner has been one of the most consistent performer in the National League since breaking in full-time in 2011. He has put up 2 WAR every single full season, and has already reached that mark this year. Bumgarner was the tenth overall selection in the 2007 draft out of South Caldwell High School in North Carolina (the Royals passed on him to select Mike Moustakas) and he has already won 62 big league games in his career. He has always been a high strikeout pitcher, whiffing 8.4 hitters per nine innings this year, including 153 strikeouts in 154 innings this year.

The 25-year old Bumgarner has a deep arsenal headed by a 92 mile-per-hour fastball. He throws a plus-slider and will also mix in a two-seam fastball, curveball, and change-up. He has never faced the Royals before.

Jason Vargas goes for the Royals in his second start since returning from an appendectomy. Vargas threw four perfect innings his last time out against Oakland before that disaster fifth inning in which Billy Butler took the brunt of the blame, yet Vargas certainly didn't pitch his way out of any jams.

#Royals go for a 5th straight victory behind this lineup. pic.twitter.com/FVCM6CYZcq

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 8, 2014

Um, what? Erik Kratz is 1-3 with two strikeouts against Bumgarner in his career, so that's the reason, right?