SPORTS UPDATE
By Sam Kombrink
The summer season has arrived in south Kansas City and with that comes big plans. Some of those plans might be to stay poolside with a cold beverage. Maybe take a road trip? Or you may want to spend a day at the “K”, or maybe catch a few Sporting KC games.
Our teams are not currently in first place. The Royals are at the bottom of the American League Central, with a record of, (18-36), and Sporting KC has a record of (3-5-4). There is no doubt that our teams are in a rough spot, but have faith because baseball and soccer have quite long seasons, almost too long if you ask me.
I believe that the Kansas City Royals have time to fix whatever problems they have. One of those problems–and the biggest–is the Royals pitching. What was once the most dominant aspect of our team, is now ranked among the lowest in all of Major League Baseball. The Royals currently have a team ERA (Earned Run Average) of (5.28) which ranks 29th out of 30 ball clubs.
On a more positive note, the Royals are tied for 1st in Fielding Percentage, at (0.99) and they have more young players on the way. The Royals brought up second basemen (#1) Nicky Lopez as I had predicted in my season preview back in April. The Royals bullpen may rank as one of the worst, but I think the future is bright for relief pitchers: (#57) Glenn Sparkman, posting a (2.92 ERA), (#55) Richard Lovelady (4.26 ERA), (#58) Scott Barlow (4.62 ERA). Now those are not the most beautiful numbers, but it’s progress. Another Royal who is making a name for himself is shortstop Aldalberto Mondesi (#27). Mondesi is currently leading all of Major League Baseball with 18 Stolen Bases.
I’m not going to call out our whole fan base for not showing up to games right now. I get it. Baseball is a long season and to some it is too “boring”. If the Royals were in first place I think more people would show up. But we wouldn’t sell out. Why? Because it is only approaching June. That is why I believe the Major League Baseball season needs to be trimmed down to 80 games. Even that might be too much for some people. Bottom line is more people would show up to games if the season was shorter, and baseball should be played in October.
It is also soccer season in Kansas City, and with that comes another long season. Sporting KC currently has a record of 3 wins, 5 losses, and 4 draws. Sporting is sitting 2nd to last in the Major League Soccer, Western Conference standings. On the positive side, Sporting KC is currently tied for 3rd in goals, averaging (1.8). Like the Royals season, Sporting has a lot of soccer to be played and players back from injuries. Starting with young Defender (#26) Jaylin Lindsey recovering from a knee injury, where they just found a scaphoid. Lindsey is expected to be out for five months. Other injured players include Forward Eric Hurtado with recent wrist surgery and was already on the DL for a knee injury. Forward Daniel Salloi (#20) also found himself on the DL with soreness in a leg muscle.
So, you get the picture. It’s early in the season and our teams still have plenty of times to get back to .500 ball. For now, let us all enjoy the start to the summer, minus all the rain. Go out and support our great teams right here in Kansas City. The next home series for the Royals is June 4-6th against the defending World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox, and then a 3-game series against the Chicago White Sox, June 7th-9th. As for Sporting KC, their next home game is May 29th, as they look to take down the Los Angeles Galaxy.