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Manager Mike Matheny announced today that left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic will get the start on Tuesday at home against the Milwaukee Brewers. Brad Keller will go on Wednesday.
The former Stanford pitcher put together an impressive rookie season in 2020, making ten starts with a 4.32 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 50 innings. But he struggled in spring training and was demoted to the Alternate Site in mid-March. Bubic returned to the big leagues in May and has pitched in relief. He gave the Royals a paid of clutch long-relief performances, pitching 5 2⁄3 shutout innings on May 8 against the White Sox, then five more shutout innings on May 13 against the Tigers, his last outing. Overall, he has a 1.42 ERA in 12 2⁄3 innings this season with 10 strikeouts and 7 walks.
Daniel Lynch was demoted over the weekend after giving up 15 runs in just 8 innings across his first three starts. The Royals are off on Monday and again on Thursday, so they could have gone with a four-man rotation, but instead it looks like Danny Duffy would probably start Friday against the Tigers on nine days rest. Jakob Junis started on May 14, but the Royals may opt to move him back to the bullpen, with Mike Minor and Brady Singer more likely possibilities to pitch this weekend.
The Brewers will start Brandon Woodruff on Tuesday against Bubic, and Corbin Burnes on Wedneday. Both pitchers have an ERA under 2.00 and Burnes set a record with 58 strikeouts without a walk to begin the year.