Overview

The Royals crossed the state to take on the St. Louis Cardinals in Busch Stadium this week. The first game was a makeup game from April 13 that was postponed due to inclement weather. The Cardinals came into the series at 12-9, while the Royals stumbled in after being swept at home with a record of 7-13.

The two teams tied the series 1-1, and the Cardinals also won the makeup game. A series split is pretty good news for a floundering team early in the season, but the makeup game would have been a big win. The Royals fall to 8-15, and the Cardinals improve to 14-10.

Game 1 - Cardinals Win Defensive Game on Goldschmidt Homer 1-0
Starters: Steven Matz (STL) vs. Zack Greinke (KC)

The Cardinals quickly got on the board in the bottom of the 1st inning with a 383-foot solo shot by Paul Goldschmidt. The Royals recorded a hit in each of the first four innings, but didn’t scratch any runs across. After the fourth, they failed to record a hit until the 9th inning. Similarly, the Cardinals only put up 5 hits. With such limited offense, the game quickly ended, 1-0. 

Steven Matz had a spectacular game, pitching 6.0 innings, allowing four hits and no runs while recording a much-deserved win. Zack Greinke was unfortunately charged with the loss, despite pitching an excellent 6.0 innings where he allowed 3 hits and 1 run that came in the first inning. Giovanny Gallegos slammed the door in the 9th and gave up a hit, but struck out two. 

Final: Cardinals 1-0 Royals

Most Notable Player: Steven Matz (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER)

Game 2 - Royals Tie Largest Win of Season, Win 7-1

Starters: Dakota Hudson (STL) vs. Brad Keller (KC)

The Royals were able to draw first blood in the 2nd when Bobby Witt, Jr. hit his first career home run, a 417-footer. Things remained quiet aside from a Royals pair of singles and an RBI-double play from Witt, Jr. in the 4th. MJ Melendez recorded his first career hit in the 6th. In the 7th was when the Royals really broke away, putting up 5 runs. Nicky Lopez walked, Edward Olivares doubled, Andrew Benintendi singled, Hunter Dozier doubled, Whit Merrifield hit a sac fly, Witt, Jr. singled, Melendez walked, and Michael A. Taylor singled. The Royals put up 5 runs, a season high, in the inning as 10 batters came to the plate. The Cardinals got one back in the 8th on a Tommy Edman single, Paul Goldschmidt walk, and Tyler O’Neill infield single. They couldn’t muster any more, and the Royals ended their 4-game losing streak, winning 7-1.

Brad Keller had another fantastic outing, going 6.1 innings while only giving up 4 hits, 3 walks, and no runs to record the win. Dakota Hudson had a solid outing as well, pitching 6.0 innings and giving up 3 runs despite 9 hits allowed, but took the loss. The game tied for the largest win by the Royals on the season.

Final: Royals 7-1 Cardinals

Most Notable Player: Edward Olivares (4-5, 2 2B, RBI, R)

Game 3 - Cardinals Jump Out to Quick Lead, Win 10-0

Starters: Adam Wainwright (STL) vs. Kris Bubic (KC)

The Cardinals, like most teams this season, jumped on Kris Bubic early. In the 1st, he walked the first two batters, then gave up a 3-run shot to Nolan Arenado. After recording one out, he allowed a double to Juan Yepez, who was making his major league debut, and was quickly pulled for Joel Payamps. He quickly gave up an RBI triple to Tyler O’Neill, which was charged to Bubic, then a sac fly to Harrison Bader that gave the Cardinals a 5-0 lead after just half an inning. The game was extremely quiet from an offensive standpoint until the 7th inning when Paul DeJong, Tommy Edman, and Paul Goldschmidt all walked before Arenado singled to center to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead. They added to it in the 8th on singles from Bader and Yadier Molina, then a sac fly from DeJong. The Cardinals topped it off in the 9th with a 2-run homer from O’Neill. In the first eight innings, the Royals mustered two hits total, then got two in the ninth but didn’t score, and the game ended 10-0. 

Adam Wainwright had an impressive start, going 7.0 innings while giving up a single hit and one walk. Kris Bubic had another embarrassing start, recording one out and allowing two hits, two walks, and four runs. He raised his season ERA to 13.14. 

Final: Cardinals 10-0 Royals

Most Notable Player: Adam Wainwright (7.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 ER)

Takeaways

The Royals have quite a few positives to take away from this series. Brad Keller and Zack Greinke continued their great seasons, putting up impressive outings. The bullpen played pretty solid. Apart from game 2, however, the offense had zero production. The lineup currently in place doesn’t seem to be working, and the little success it does have is sporadic and inconsistent. Additionally, Kris Bubic looks like a guaranteed loss whenever he steps on the diamond. He’s now 0-3, and many fans are calling for another rostered pitcher to take his place in the rotation. However, a series draw isn’t a bad thing for the Royals this year, and the problems with the team are coming to light (Kris Bubic), and are able to be solved soon.

Looking Ahead

The Royals will have the day off tomorrow before they hit the road to Baltimore for a 3-game weekend series with the Orioles. Carlos Hernandez, Daniel Lynch, and Zack Greinke are projected to pitch for the Royals, while Jordan Lyles, Tyler Wells, and Bruce Zimmerman are slated for the Os. This series should offer a golden chance to get a few wins and make the season record look more respectable. The Royals will enter the series with a record of 8-15, while the Orioles will hold a record of 9-16.