Game XLV: Royals at Cleveland

Brady Singer’s Major League career has started exactly has he or the Royals would have hoped. Thus far, his first career start has been his best, giving up just two runs after scattering just three hits and striking out seven. He didn’t give up a homer and got 14 swinging strikes against a team that expected to compete for the AL Central Division title.

Since that start, Singer has made seven starts. In those starts, he has a 5.86 ERA. He has yet to get through at least six innings as a Major Leaguer. Tonight, he’ll have another chance to right the ship against the same team he made his debut against.

One of the silver linings of Singer’s start is the schedule. His last five starts have been against the White Sox and the Twins, including three straight against the Twins. Those two teams are 4th and 8th in home runs respectfully. He gets to face a Cleveland team tonight that has scored just 35 runs in September.

Meanwhile, the Royals offense has scored just 29 runs during that span and can’t decide if they want to win games or draft Kumar Rocker. To quote George Costanza, every time we think we’re out, the Royals pull us back in. After losing their first seven games in September, Kansas City has a chance to win this four-game set against Cleveland before facing the Pirates and Tigers, two teams much closer to the Royals competition level.

Here are your lineups for this evening, with Hunter Dozier making his 5th consecutive start at first base.