Royals beat Cardinals 7-5 (June 5) with Garcia & Fermin HRs, then lead White Sox 4-0 (June 6). Garcia's 3rd straight 1st-inning HR! 2025 Royals on fire!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a whirlwind 24 hours for our Kansas City Royals! Fresh off clinching a hard-fought series against the rival St. Louis Cardinals, the boys in blue didn't waste any time, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead against the Chicago White Sox on Friday night. The bats are waking up, the bullpen is stepping up, and there's a buzz around this team as they continue their road trip.
Maikel Garcia continued his torrid pace, homering in the first inning for the third straight game!
Thursday night was a thriller! The Royals took down the Cardinals 7-5 to split the doubleheader and, more importantly, win the season series against our cross-state rivals. Maikel Garcia was an absolute stud, launching a first-inning two-run homer – his third straight game going deep in the opening frame! He wasn't done there, adding a double and scoring three times. Freddy Fermin also got in on the action with a majestic 406-foot blast into the third deck at Busch Stadium, sparking a crucial three-run rally in the third inning. Nick Loftin and Salvador Perez chipped in with key RBIs, showcasing the offensive depth we've been waiting to see.
It was great to see Cole Ragans back on the mound after his IL stint for a left groin strain. While his return start against the Cardinals was a bit shaky (3 IP, 5 R, 5 H, 4 K, 3 BB), the most important thing is he's back and healthy. The bullpen, however, was lights out. Angel Zerpa was particularly brilliant, tossing three scoreless innings in relief to earn his third win of the season. He allowed just one hit and a walk while fanning four, really stabilizing the game after Ragans' early exit. And how about Carlos Estévez? Mr. Reliable slammed the door for his 18th save in 21 opportunities. That's the kind of bullpen performance that wins ballgames!
No rest for the weary! The Royals rolled into Chicago and, as of the latest update for Friday, June 6th, are already making noise against the White Sox. They've jumped out to a 4-0 lead with Seth Lugo on the bump. Lugo, who entered the game with a 3-5 record and a 3.45 ERA, is looking to get back in the win column against Chicago's Davis Martin. After splitting the series with the Cards and improving to 33-30, stringing together some wins against the Sox would be huge. An early lead on the road is always a fantastic sign!
Speaking of exciting developments, top prospect Jac Caglianone made his much-anticipated MLB debut during the doubleheader against the Cardinals! While he had some hard-hit outs, he did manage to record his first big-league hit. It's always a thrill to see the next wave of talent arrive, and Caglianone is a big part of the Royals' promising future. With guys like Ben Kudrna and Blake Wolters also developing in the minors, the farm system continues to be a source of optimism.
With the offense clicking, key players returning, and young talent emerging, the Royals are looking to make a serious push. Let's hope they can finish strong against the White Sox and carry this momentum forward. It's an exciting time to be a Royals fan!
