Royals Rumblings - News for August 5, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for August 5, 2019

Brad Keller was touching 98 mph on the gun on Sunday with his fastball.

“Just watching the two games before, we really felt like we had to stick with the heater today. We were able to locate it pretty well today, and got in when we needed to. So yeah, it was pretty good.”

The Royals will not be employing an “opener” this year, writes Jeffrey Flanagan.

“Why is everyone so excited to see an opener?” Yost said. “It wouldn’t be effective for us. That’s why we haven’t done it. We’re not fools. If we thought it would be beneficial for us, we’d do it.

“We don’t have the depth on our staff. We’re not ready to do it. Plus, the guys that have done it in Triple-A, [Josh] Staumont and [Kyle] Zimmer are not even established here yet.”

Whit Merrifield’s streak of avoiding going hitless in back-to-back games ended Sunday, but Lynn Worthy wrote about how he is a model of consistency.

“Baseball is just funny,” Merrifield said. “You’ve got to have some luck to go on runs like this, like that extra-inning game we had at home. Balls fall in sometimes.

“It’s just funny that it comes to an end when I’m feeling this good. I smoked the first one — they say it all evens out — so I thought right away the blooper would fall in. Whoever said that it all evens out, I don’t know what they’re smoking.”

Alec Lewis at The Athletic looks at the state of Royals hitters and the state of Royals pitchers.

Of all the current statuses of the Royals’ hitters, Mondesi’s is most pressing. The shortstop suffered a left-shoulder subluxation on July 16 while diving for a foul ball. He has progressed through rehab, fielding grounders and throwing the ball to first, and has hit off a tee.

“He’s making progress, but it’s probably, realistically going to be a while,” said Royals manager Ned Yost earlier this week. “You definitely want him back before the year’s out. You want to make sure, going into next year, that he’s all right. He’s working diligently. I don’t know. I’m hoping.”

Alex Duvall at Royals Farm Report gives an update on the struggling hitters at Wilmington.

Alcides Escobar blasted the White Sox organization after they released him.

Jeff Passan gives us an inside look behind how the Zack Greinke deal came together.

Rival execs complain that the Tigers front office is difficult to deal with.

11 injured players that could impact pennant races.

After returning from a brain hemorrhage, Danny Farquhar moves to coaching.

Ben Zobrist is being a stand-up dude to his teammates during minor league rehab.

Maybe the game of baseball is fine, its the TV production that needs to change.

Shane Bieber’s baseball card calls him “Justin.”

The Phillies are suing the Phanatic to keep him from being a free agent.

The time Luis Tiant was traded for 500 teddy bears.

What is the first training camp like for an NFL rookie?

How poor ownership caused the Knicks to spend the last 20 years in the wilderness.

How the internet has changed how we talk.

Beer companies are trying to make marijuana drinks, but does anyone want them?

Jason Statham and The Rock have it in their contracts that they cannot lose a fight against each other.

Your song of the day is The Cure with Primary.