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Last year, Johnny Cueto made his Kansas City debut against the Toronto Blue Jays. It was a fun event, complete with a Royals Review meet-up and everything.
This year, the closest thing we get to that feeling is Danny Duffy. It's a different feeling, to be sure. More comfortable. Cueto was a cult of personality, and while Duffy isn't without his quirks, he's been a Royal for his entire career. That kind of relationship just functions differently than the fly by night equivalency that was John Cueto.
Coming off a start in which he struck out a franchise record sixteen batters in just eight innings (while carrying a no-hitter into the eighth as well), the coming out party is in full swing. The Czar of Gnar is on pace to put up the best season (by fWAR) by a Royals starter since James Shields was in town, and it isn't entirely out of the question that he could best him as well.
Toronto counters with Aaron Sanchez (11-1, 2.71 ERA), who's you know, pretty good. Pretty good. The Blue Jays themselves are pretty good.
LINEUPS
Tonight’s lineup vs Royals (7:15pm start) pres. by @MajesticOnField.
— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 6, 2016
: @Sportsnet, @MLBTV
: @FAN590#OurMoment pic.twitter.com/rRF8lwSGkl
Danny Duffy looks to stay hot as the #Royals continue series vs the Blue Jays. https://t.co/UUdHcZLcFT #ForeverRoyal pic.twitter.com/8LfgsCJBk6
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 6, 2016