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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-news-did-walker-buehler-have-strong-debut-royals');   ga('set', 'title', 'Did Phillies’ Walker Buehler have a strong debut vs. Royals?');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Philadelphia-Phillies-pitcher-Walker-Buehler.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Did Phillies’ Walker Buehler have a strong debut vs. Royals?</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-12T21:11:22-07:00">September 12th, 9:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-12T21:16:31-07:00">September 12th, 9:16pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-news-walker-buehler-joining-active-roster-as-jose-alvarado-lands-on-il">Philadelphia Phillies welcomed Walker Buehler for his debut</a> on Friday night, and he helped the team secure an 8-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Citizens Bank Park.</p><p>The 31-year-old right-hander, whom <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/red-sox-news-boston-releases-walker-buehler-bullpen-move">the Boston Red Sox released</a> on August 29, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-news-signing-walker-buehler-postseason-push">signed with the Phillies</a> two days later, pitched five innings of one-run baseball, giving up five hits, walking one, hitting a batter, and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/walker-buehlers-phillies-debut-leads-rout-royals--flm-2025-09-13/" rel="noopener">striking out three</a>.</p><p>Buehler’s first inning saw a brief scare when Bobby Witt Jr. singled, stole second, and scored on a Maikel Garcia single, giving the Royals an early 1-0 lead. After that, Buehler settled in, inducing 11 swings and misses, tied for his second-highest total in any outing this season and his highest since June 17.</p><p>He threw 90 pitches, 63.3% of which were hard pitches, including a 93.8 mph four-seam fastball, while going to a 0-2 count four times and generating weak contact in his final frame. This was only the fifth time Buehler finished at least five innings while allowing one run or less this season.</p><p>The Phillies’ offense supported their newcomer emphatically. Bryce Harper hit an opposite-field two-run homer in the third inning, his 26th of the season, giving Philadelphia a lead they would not relinquish. Brandon Marsh followed with a triple and scored on an Otto Kemp single, while Rafael Marchan, Harrison Bader, and Kyle Schwarber hit consecutive doubles in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-1. Bryson Stott added a two-run homer in the seventh.</p><p>The team recorded 14 hits, their fourth straight game with double-digit hits, and had contributions from six multihit players, including Bader, who notched his fifth consecutive multihit game, a new career high.</p><p>The bullpen, featuring Tanner Banks, Tim Mayza, Orion Kerkering, and Max Lazar, efficiently closed out the final four innings, allowing only one additional run. While Edmundo Sosa experienced a minor setback by exiting in the seventh due to groin tightness, manager Rob Thomson praised Buehler’s debut as a valuable addition, noting it provides extra rest for the Phillies’ rotation and another potential option for the postseason.</p><p>The Phillies improved to 88-60, increasing their lead in the NL East to 12 games and lowering their magic number to clinch the division to three.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Did Phillies’ Walker Buehler have a strong debut vs. Royals?

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-cole-ragans-could-return-from-injury-soon');   ga('set', 'title', 'Royals’ Cole Ragans could return from injury soon');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Royals-lefty-Cole-Ragans-pitches-vs.-Guardians.jpg"><figcaption>David Dermer-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Royals’ Cole Ragans could return from injury soon</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-12T17:33:53-07:00">September 12th, 5:33pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-12T17:34:09-07:00">September 12th, 5:34pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Royals (74-73) need to erase a five-game deficit and leap over three teams with just 15 games remaining in the regular season, otherwise they will be spending the playoffs at home. This team made headway in the American League Wild Card standings, but a 4-6 start to September has seen it lose ground once again. The odds of KC quickly turning it on versus the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-fatal-flaw-that-will-doom-2025-postseason-hopes">hard to fathom</a>, hence it may be risky to rush back Cole Ragans.</p><p>The left-handed starting pitcher has missed the last three-plus months with a rotator cuff strain, but he is apparently nearing a return to the MLB roster. Ragans is <a href="https://x.com/anne__rogers/status/1966627915312865456" rel="noopener">making his second rehab start</a> with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers on Friday night and is scheduled to throw roughly 60 pitches, per MLB.com’s Anne Rogers.</p><p>Assuming the 2024 All-Star makes it through the outing incident-free, which is obviously no guarantee given the amount of misfortune he has endured in 2025, then he could be back in a Royals uniform imminently.</p><p>“If everything goes well, we hope that this is the last one,” manager Matt Quatraro said, per Rogers. Fans have been anxiously waiting for Ragans to rejoin the ballclub, but considering Kansas City’s current circumstances, there are plenty who will argue that it is more prudent to just start fresh next year. Based on how the skipper is talking, however, it sounds like the 27-year-old intends to pitch in a big-league game before season’s end.</p><h2><b>What should the Royals do?</b></h2><p>Cole Ragans has spent most of the campaign on the shelf and has struggled when healthy, so obviously he would like to go into 2026 on a positive note. But the Royals have much to mull over. If they do not think a playoff berth is a realistic goal at this point of the season, they may deem it in their best interest to shut down the southpaw for the remainder of the year. Therefore, these next several days are crucial.</p><p>KC must hold its own on the road versus the Phillies, an arduous feat that has swallowed many teams in 2025, and then it has to overpower the Mariners in Kauffman Stadium. If <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-bobby-witt-jr-accomplishes-impressive-feat-with-stolen-base-vs-rangers">star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.</a> and company are within three games of the final Wild Card slot, then management may want to roll the dice and send Ragans to the mound. That is the ideal scenario.</p><p>This is not an ideal world, however. The Royals trail Philly 6-1 in the sixth inning at time of print. The next three teams currently ahead of them in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-player-must-step-up-al-wild-card-race-mariners">the Wild Card race</a> all have leads in their respective games at time of print.</p><p>If Ragans does get cleared for an MLB return, he will have an opportunity to improve upon the 5.18 ERA he posted through 48 2/3 innings of work.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Royals’ Cole Ragans could return from injury soon

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-player-must-step-up-al-wild-card-race-mariners');   ga('set', 'title', '1 Royals player who must step up in AL Wild Card race with Mariners');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Jac-Caglianone.jpg"><figcaption>Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>1 Royals player who must step up in AL Wild Card race with Mariners</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-11T14:07:58-07:00">September 11th, 2:07pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-11T14:07:58-07:00">September 11th, 2:07pm</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut-based sports journalist with over five years of professional experience. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in journalism, he has covered every sport from fencing to football in the online and print medium. Dan hopes to see his beloved Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With their 74-72 record, the Kansas City Royals sit three games behind the Seattle Mariners for the third American League Wild Card spot. Seeing as two teams are ahead of Kansas City in the race, it’ll be an even more <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-fatal-flaw-that-will-doom-2025-postseason-hopes">difficult mountain to climb for the Royals to make the postseason</a>.</p><p>The franchise isn’t going to go down without a fight. However, they can’t afford to lose series against teams like the Cleveland Guardians, who sit higher in the Wild Card race. It’d be a tall task to simply ask the Royals to win out. But it’s going to take quite the effort and some luck for Kansas City to actually breach the playoffs.</p><p>If their lineup is able to find a spark, the franchise would have a much greater chance of seeing their playoff hopes come to fruition. The Royals rank 28th in MLB with 557 runs scored. As they look for more offensive support, Kansas City <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-what-jac-caglianone-said-hitting-first-career-home-run">must see Jac Caglianone find his stride</a> to be at full power.</p><h2><b>Jac Caglianone struggles in Royals debut </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Royals-Caglianone.jpg"><figcaption>Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Royals selected Caglianone with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. It wasn’t long before he was considered one of the best prospects in baseball. And after just 95 games at the minor league level, Kansas City decided Caglianone was ready for the show.</p><p>However, the first baseman/right fielder has scuffled in the major league debut. Through his first 48 games, Caglianone is hitting .150 with five home runs and 12 RBIs. He did suffer a hamstring injury, that forced him on the shelf. But now back healthy, Kansas City is hoping for an offensive resurgence.</p><p>They have every reason to believe in one based on Caglianone’s minor league numbers. Over those 95 games, he hit .308 with 22 home runs and 86 RBIs.</p><p>Still only 22-years-old, Caglianone will have plenty of time to make a difference in the Royals organization. But if he wants to prove Kansas City’s gamble on an early call up correct, now is the time. If he can start mashing baseball, helping propel the Royals into the postseason. then Caglianone will have secured his spot in the lineup for the foreseeable future. Plus, he’d get to taste MLB playoff action for the first time.</p><h2><b>Other sources of power </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Carter-Jensen.jpg"><figcaption>Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>A Caglianone turnaround could all just be a pipe dream though. After all, he has struggled mightily throughout his rookie campaign. If the rookie isn’t up to par, Kansas City must turn to their other sources of power for a needed spark.</p><p>The Royals recently called up catcher Carter Jensen, who <a href="https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/royals/" rel="noopener">ranks as the second-best prospect</a> in their organization, via MLB Pipeline. Through his first five major league games, he is hitting .125 with two RBIs. But over 111 games at the minor league level in 2025, Jensen hit .290 with 20 home runs, 76 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. That kind of spark is exactly what Kansas City is looking for.</p><p>They could also turn to veteran Randal Grichuk. He has three long balls over his first 30 games in Kansas City. He hit another 22 during 70 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2025. With 211 homers for his career, Grichuk knows how to go yard.</p><p>Kansas City did also see Jonathan India recently make his return from the injured list. His debut with the Royals hasn’t been too explosive, as he is hitting .235 with eight home runs and 42 RBIs. However, India has double digit home runs and at least 50 RBIs in every season he has appeared in 110+ games. He won’t be counted on for the long ball, but he could play a crucial role in the lineup down the stretch.</p><p>Whether it’s Caglianone or whoever is up to bat for the Royals, they must realize the postseason their franchise is in. Their playoff hopes are alive, but it’ll take a herculean effort. If Kansas City starts driving more runs across the plate, perhaps those postseason dreams come true.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

1 Royals player who must step up in AL Wild Card race with Mariners

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-jonathan-india-returns-il-wild-card-push');   ga('set', 'title', 'Jonathan India returns from IL as Royals make Wild Card push');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/India-Royals.jpg"><figcaption> Matt Marton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Jonathan India returns from IL as Royals make Wild Card push</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-09T16:08:53-07:00">September 9th, 4:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-09T16:08:53-07:00">September 9th, 4:08pm</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut based sports journalist and a graduate of both Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Dan has spent time covering high school and professional sports in both the print and online medium. He hopes to see his beloved Chicago Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With their 73-71 record, the Kansas City <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-will-clinch-al-wild-card-spot">Royals are only three game out of the final American League Wild Card spot</a>. And now, a crucial member of the lineup is set to make his return to the diamond.</p><p>The Royals <a href="https://x.com/Royals/status/1965520179326226441" rel="noopener">have activated</a> Jonathan India from the injured list, the team announced. In turn, Michael Wacha has been placed on the seven-day IL with a concussion.</p><p>India was originally placed on the IL with a wrist sprain in early September. It didn’t take long for him to get over his ailment. When the Royals take on the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday, India will be at designated hitter, batting seventh.</p><p>Kansas City will certainly welcome the return as they look for a bit of a jolt in their offense. However, India will need to show a bit of improvement now that he is past his injury.</p><h2><b>Jonathan India’s debut with Royals </b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Jonathan-India.jpg"><figcaption>Matt Marton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/cincinnati-reds/mlb-news-reds-royals-swing-brady-singer-jonathan-india-trade">Royals acquired India in a trade</a> from the Cincinnati Reds prior to the season. They were willing to spend from their pitching depth in an effort to acquire a potent bat. So far, India hasn’t fully lived up to those expectations.</p><p>Through his first 124 games with the team, the utility man is hitting .232 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs. After racking up back-to-back seasons of double digit stolen bases, India has yet to swipe a bag in 2025.</p><p>That’ll certainly play a role in how Kansas City decides to approach his future. But India will still have a major role heading into the stretch run. In 2025 alone, he has played both second and third base alongside left field. Being able to move him around defensively opens up how the Royals configure their lineup.</p><p>It’s going to take quite the effort for Kansas City to strongarm their way into the playoffs. India won’t do it alone. But if nothing else, he gives the Royals another intriguing option in their lineup as they finish out their regular season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Jonathan India returns from IL as Royals make Wild Card push

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-bobby-witt-jr-back-injury-update-twins-clash');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bobby Witt Jr.’s back injury receives update before Twins clash');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Bobby-Witt-Jr.jpg"><figcaption>Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Bobby Witt Jr.’s back injury receives update before Twins clash</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-06T16:35:40-07:00">September 6th, 4:35pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-06T16:53:21-07:00">September 6th, 4:53pm</time><address><a>Mike Gianakos</a>Mike Gianakos is the former editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, where he also spearheaded the video department and event production. He is a longtime podcaster and even longer suffering NY Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Royals hung on for a 2-1 win in their series opener against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-will-clinch-al-wild-card-spot">Royals are eying a playoff berth</a> as the team is now just one game back in the AL Wild Card standings. But Kansas City’s postseason hopes hinge on the health of Bobby Witt Jr.</p><p>Witt was forced to exit the Twins game after six innings due to back spasms. On Saturday, Matt Quatraro provided an update <a href="https://x.com/anne__rogers/status/1964436958320414743" rel="noopener">on the All-Star shortstop</a>. The Royals manager said Witt’s back is “still spasming” and he’ll have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, per MLB.com’s Anne Rogers.</p><p>Quatraro <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46170719/royals-bobby-witt-jr-leaves-7th-vs-twins-low-back-spasms" rel="noopener">told reporters</a> that Witt’s back issue started after he made two defensive plays in the top of the sixth. “[It happened] sometime in that inning before we took him out… He talked to [Royals head athletic trainer Kyle Turner]. As he sat there, it got worse,” Quatraro said, via ESPN. “It locked up pretty good on him.”</p><h2><b>Royals’ playoff hopes hang on Bobby Witt Jr.’s back</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Bobby-Witt-Jr-2.jpg"><figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Witt has followed up his sensational 2024 season with another strong campaign. Last year he won the batting title and finished second in AL MVP voting behind Aaron Judge.</p><p>In 2025, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-bobby-witt-jr-unprecedented-feat-vs-guardians">Witt made MLB history</a> as the first player ever to begin his career with 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases in each of his first four seasons. The two-time All-Star is up to 21 homers and 34 steals in 139 games. He also has 77 RBI, 90 runs scored and 6.0 bWAR so far this year.</p><p>A trip to the IL could potentially be devastating to the Royals’ playoff hopes. The team is gearing up for a postseason push, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-calls-up-no-2-prospect-wild-card-push">calling up No. 2 prospect</a> Carter Jensen at the end of August. Jensen’s elevation prior to September 1 qualifies him for the Royals’ playoff roster, should the team secure a Wild Card berth.</p><p>Witt’s back ailment comes as Kansas City deals with multiple injuries during their September push. Fellow middle infielder Jonathan India is currently on the IL and the Royals just <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-seth-lugo-il-kansas-city-postseason-push">lost Seth Lugo to back tightness</a>. The veteran starter landed on the 15-day IL earlier this week.</p><p>Kansas City did receive some positive news as All-Star lefty <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-all-star-close-to-beginning-rehab-assignment">Cole Ragans began a rehab assignment</a>. The fourth-year starter has been sidelined since early June with a rotator cuff strain. His addition to the rotation could help the Royals down the stretch. But it won’t really matter if Witt is unable to play.</p><p>With Witt out of the lineup Saturday, third baseman Maikel Garcia shifted to shortstop and Nick Loftin filled in at third.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bobby Witt Jr.’s back injury receives update before Twins clash

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-all-star-close-to-beginning-rehab-assignment');   ga('set', 'title', 'Royals All-Star close to beginning rehab assignment');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Royals-SP-Cole-Ragans.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Royals All-Star close to beginning rehab assignment</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-05T16:53:39-07:00">September 5th, 4:53pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-05T16:53:39-07:00">September 5th, 4:53pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Nine and a half games out of first place in the AL Central, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-fatal-flaw-that-will-doom-2025-postseason-hopes">Kansas City Royals’ best shot</a> at a playoff spot lies through the Wild Card. The Royals are set to begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at home. This weekend provides the perfect platform for Kansas City to vault themselves into one of those Wild Card positions. Before the series opener, team reporter Anne Rogers reported via X (formerly Twitter) that starting pitcher Cole Ragans will <a href="https://x.com/anne__rogers/status/1964071049164689768" rel="noopener">begin a rehab assignment</a> on Sunday.</p><p>“Cole Ragans is expected to begin a rehab assignment Sunday,” posted Rogers. “He’s scheduled for two innings in Triple-A, manager Matt Quatraro said.”</p><p>The two-inning assignment in Triple-A is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-cole-ragans-takes-step-injury-rehab">the next step for Ragans.</a> If he pitches well, he’ll be one step closer to Kansas City. In their bid to hunt down a playoff spot, having the former All-Star back in their starting rotation will only help. Furthermore, if the Royals do get back to the annual tournament, Ragans’ experience in last year’s postseason should bolster the rotation. Can Quatraro and his team return to October and make an even deeper run this time around?</p><h2><b>Can Royals climb back into Wild Card hunt?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Royals-manager-Matt-Quatraro.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Currently two games behind the Seattle Mariners for the final Wild Card spot, the AL playoff field is a deep one. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-calls-up-no-2-prospect-wild-card-push">Royals are in a group</a> of four games within the Mariners. The Texas Rangers are in front of Kansas City, while the Tampa Bay Rays are also two games back. At three and a half back lie a division rival of the Royals in the Cleveland Guardians.</p><p>At the moment, Quatraro’s starting staff <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-cole-ragans-positive-mri-results">is not only down Ragans,</a> but also four others: staff ace Seth Lugo, veterans Bailey Falter and Alec Marsh, as well as the emerging Kris Bubic. Getting even just a couple of those arms back for a playoff run would be a great boost for Kansas City. Veteran Michael Wacha is holding down the fort, while rookies Noah Cameron and Ryan Bergert have impressed in their debut seasons. Can the Royals ride their pitching depth to a playoff bid and more? If so, then a return to the World Series could follow in the ensuing weeks.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Royals All-Star close to beginning rehab assignment

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-fatal-flaw-that-will-doom-2025-postseason-hopes');   ga('set', 'title', 'Royals’ fatal flaw that will doom 2025 postseason hopes');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kansas-City-Royals-shortstop-Bobby-Witt-Jr.-1.jpg"><figcaption>William Purnell-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Royals’ fatal flaw that will doom 2025 postseason hopes</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T18:42:34-07:00">September 4th, 6:42pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T18:42:34-07:00">September 4th, 6:42pm</time><address><a>Zachary Howell</a>Zachary Howell is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints focusing on creating premier MLB content. He is a big fan of the Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Syracuse Orange. In his free time, he likes to be outside or read.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Royals entered Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels at 70-69. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-manager-salvador-perez-plan-postseason-push">Matt Quatraro has come up with new plans for Salvador Perez</a> and Co. as the team makes a playoff push. However, the Royals’ road to the playoffs is tough. Despite the optimism around the squad recently, Vinnie Pasquantino and the offense face a big problem heading into the final stretch.</p><p>As a team, the Royals’ offense sits near the middle of the pack. Despite their middling numbers, Witt Jr., Pasquantino, and Perez make up one of Major League Baseball’s best trios at the plate. Quatraro has not had to worry about their production for the majority of the season. His issue has been getting reliable offense from the other six players in his order each night.</p><p>If the Royals are going to make a deeper playoff run than they did last season, they need balance. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-bobby-witt-jr-accomplishes-impressive-feat-with-stolen-base-vs-rangers">Witt Jr. has put together another impressive season</a>, but he can only do so much as one player. The best teams in the league this season have depth across the diamond. The ones that don’t have elite players they can rely on at the plate or on the pitcher’s mound.</p><p>Kansas City is unique in the sense that it does not have a plethora of role players despite being a small market team. Witt Jr. is one of the brightest stars in the league right now. Perez and Pasquantino are less than household names, but each consistently put together All-Star caliber seasons as offensive engines. However, that is not good enough to make it into the AL playoffs.</p><p>A lack of contributors to a team’s offense is often a death sentence. In order to the Royals’ chances at the playoffs to improve, Quatraro needs to make some big changes.</p><h2>How could a lack of balance hold the Royals back?</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Vinnie-Pasquantino.jpg"><figcaption>William Purnell-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/mlb-rumors-royals-seth-lugo-trade-strategy-could-lead-to-red-soxs-jarren-duran">Royals were hunting for an outfielder at the trade deadline</a>. Ideally, Kansas City wanted a player under contract for multiple seasons that could become a piece of a rapidly improving young roster. While the team did not secure its top target, it emerged with a few intriguing pieces. However, the majority of the offensive production has come from the same three players all season.</p><p>Looking at the team’s numbers, its issues are evident. The trio of stars are the only ones with <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/stats/_/name/kc/table/batting/sort/homeRuns/dir/desc" rel="noopener">more than 20 home runs</a> on the season. Maikel Garcia is fourth with just 15 and is the only other Royals player with more than 10. That lack of production outside of the heart of Quatraro prevents Kansas City from staying attached in games where the opposing offense is hot.</p><p>If the Royals want to make the playoffs, it is on their offense to make it happen. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-seth-lugo-il-kansas-city-postseason-push">Seth Lugo is the latest addition to Kansas City’s injured list</a>. Without his ace pitcher, Quatraro needs his offense to come through in order to have any kind of chance this season. Luckily for him, there are specific adjustments that might just kickstart his offense as it tries to make it to the postseason.</p><h2>How can Quatraro fix his team’s issues?</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Kansas-City-Royals-first-baseman-Salvador-Perez.jpg"><figcaption>Peter Aiken-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Teams like the Milwaukee Brewers need to consider condensing their star power at the top of their lineups. However, some squads have gone the other way, spreading out sluggers throughout the lineup. The Royals need to consider doing the same with their lineup. The easiest way to do so is to shift Perez and Garcia down in the order to give the offense its best chance to produce.</p><p>Perez is in the later stages of his career, but the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-salvador-perez-walks-off-braves-extra-innings-rbi">veteran continues to come up clutch for the Royals</a>. However, he might be better served batting closer to sixth or seventh in the order. Putting contact hitters ahead of him gives the second half of Kansas City’s order a chance to pull its weight compared to its counterpart. Another move that might help? Leaning on Jac Caglianone.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-watch-jac-caglianone-1st-career-home-run">former top prospect has produced when Quatraro called on him</a> earlier this season. Caglianone is another power hitter that can be another threat in the back of the Royals’ order. Kansas City does not need him to do everything, just bring some balance to its offense. At the end of the day, Caglianone needs to get his feet wet in high-pressure games as early in his career as possible.</p><p>The Royals’ chances of making the playoffs ride on its offense. If Quatraro can find a way to even things out and get runs from all sides of his order, Kansas City has a chance to make a run.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Royals’ fatal flaw that will doom 2025 postseason hopes

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-seth-lugo-il-kansas-city-postseason-push');   ga('set', 'title', 'Royals’ Seth Lugo lands on IL amid Kansas City’s postseason push');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Seth-Lugo-1.jpg"><figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Royals’ Seth Lugo lands on IL amid Kansas City’s postseason push</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T16:14:34-07:00">September 4th, 4:14pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T16:14:34-07:00">September 4th, 4:14pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-manager-salvador-perez-plan-postseason-push">Kansas City Royals’ postseason hopes</a> took a major hit Thursday as the team placed right-hander Seth Lugo on the 15-day injured list <a href="https://x.com/MLBONFOX/status/1963711278444405241" rel="noopener">with lower back strain</a>. The move takes effect retroactively from September 1, keeping the 35-year-old out for at least two starts right in the thick of the Royals’ American League playoff push.</p><p>Lugo was originally scheduled to start Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, but rookie Noah Cameron (7-6, 2.92 ERA) was pushed into the rotation instead. Manager Matt Quatraro explained that Lugo attempted to play catch twice this week but continued to experience stiffness, leading to the IL decision.</p><p>The veteran has been a mainstay in Kansas City’s rotation since he arrived in 2024, when he posted a 3.00 ERA over 33 starts and finished second in AL Cy Young voting behind Tarik Skubal. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-seth-lugo-multi-year-contract-extension">That success earned him a two-year, $46 million extension</a> in July 2025, removing him from trade speculation at the deadline.</p><p>However, Lugo has struggled mightily since the All-Star break. After carrying a 2.67 ERA into mid-July, he owns a 7.51 ERA across nine starts since, including a 9.11 ERA and 2.03 WHIP in his six August appearances. His overall season line sits at 8-7 with a 4.15 ERA, 125 strikeouts, and 154 1/3 innings pitched.</p><p>Lugo’s downturn has coincided with the Royals’ playoff battle. Entering Thursday, Kansas City holds a 70-69 record, sitting 2.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the AL’s third Wild Card spot. The Texas Rangers (72-69) are also ahead in the standings, further crowding the race.</p><p>The Royals will now turn to right-hander Stephen Kolek to fill Lugo’s rotation spot. The Royals acquired 27-year-old Kolek from the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline, sending catcher Freddy Fermin to San Diego in the deal. He made his Royals debut last weekend against Detroit, allowing just one run across six innings in a 3-1 win. Across 15 starts this year with San Diego and Kansas City, Kolek has compiled a 3.99 ERA with 59 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings. While his strikeout rate is modest (16.5%), he has paired it with a strong 51.9% ground ball rate and 7.3% walk rate.</p><p>At Triple-A Omaha, Kolek has shown similar underlying skills but a high .400 BABIP has contributed to an inflated 6.26 ERA. Still, Kansas City sees him as capable of holding down a rotation spot until Lugo’s return as they chase their first playoff berth since 2015</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Royals’ Seth Lugo lands on IL amid Kansas City’s postseason push

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-manager-salvador-perez-plan-postseason-push');   ga('set', 'title', 'Royals manager reveals Salvador Perez plan amid postseason push');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Salvador-Perez-in-his-catcher-gear.jpg"><figcaption>David Butler II-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Royals manager reveals Salvador Perez plan amid postseason push</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-02T16:47:38-07:00">September 2nd, 4:47pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-02T16:47:38-07:00">September 2nd, 4:47pm</time><address><a>Russell Steinberg</a>Russell Steinberg covers Major League Baseball and the New York Liberty for ClutchPoints. A baseball and basketball lifer, he has written for Boardroom, SLAM, SB Nation, The Next, and more. He graduated from NYU in 2012 and still returns to serve as PA announcer and occasional broadcaster for the school’s basketball and volleyball teams.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Royals have three catchers on their active roster, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-calls-up-no-2-prospect-wild-card-push">including No. 2 prospect Carter Jensen</a>, but Salvador Perez will still get the majority of the reps behind the plate.</p><p>Royals manager Matt Quatraro <a href="https://x.com/anne__rogers/status/1963008400465309720" rel="noopener">revealed as much</a> on Tuesday, according to MLB.com’s Anne Rogers. She added that Quatraro indicated Jensen will “pinch-hit, pinch-run, go in for defense, etc.”</p><p>At 35 years old, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-salvador-perez-walks-off-braves-extra-innings-rbi">Perez is still holding his own</a> behind the plate. He’s hit 23 home runs and has a .241 batting average and 100 OPS+. Bringing up Jensen will allow Perez to see some time at first base or DH to help keep him fresh, even if he remains the team’s primary catcher with Luke Maile playing behind him.</p><p>In addition to his ability to help Perez behind the plate, Jensen brings a promising bat to the Kansas City lineup. In 43 games at Triple-A Omaha, he has hit for a 1.051 OPS with 14 home runs and 11 doubles. As a team, the Royals rank 22nd in baseball in team OPS (.701) and 26th in total home runs (132).</p><p>With rosters expanding at the start of the month, Kansas City also activated promising rookie Jac Caglianone, who had been on a rehab assignment. He had not started to hit yet in 150 at bats before his injury (.147 BA), but as the sixth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, he soared through the minor leagues, proving himself at every stop along the way.</p><p>The Royals are facing an uphill <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-will-clinch-al-wild-card-spot">climb to reach the postseason</a>, but by no means is it unrealistic. While they’re out of the American League Central race, they’re 2.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners in the Wild Card race with the Texas Rangers between them.</p><p>After dropping two out of three to the Detroit Tigers over the weekend, the Royals begin a three-game set at home against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Royals manager reveals Salvador Perez plan amid postseason push

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/detroit-tigers/tigers-news-tarik-skubal-franchise-history-cy-young-chase');   ga('set', 'title', 'Tigers’ Tarik Skubal makes more franchise history amid Cy Young chase');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Detroit-Tigers-starting-pitcher-Tarik-Skubal-delivers-a-pitch.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Tigers’ Tarik Skubal makes more franchise history amid Cy Young chase</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-31T21:06:39-07:00">August 31st, 9:06pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-31T21:06:39-07:00">August 31st, 9:06pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Detroit Tigers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Detroit Tigers cruised to a comfortable 5-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/detroit-tigers/tigers-news-tarik-skubal-detroit-history-dominant-twins-outing">as Tarik Skubal made more franchise history</a>, tossing seven shutout innings in his stellar 2025 season.</p><p>Skubal became the first pitcher in Tigers history to record 11 starts of <a href="https://x.com/tigers/status/1962246073071665331" rel="noopener">at least six scoreless innings</a> in a single season, surpassing Hall of Famer Denny McLain’s mark from 1969. His outing against Kansas City featured four hits allowed, two walks, and four strikeouts across 93 pitches. Although renowned as a strikeout-heavy pitcher, Skubal relied on soft contact, holding the Royals scoreless despite multiple scoring opportunities.</p><p>Kansas City’s best chance came in the third inning when Maikel Garcia doubled and advanced to third with one out. Skubal struck out Vinnie Pasquantino with a 98 mph fastball and forced Salvador Perez into a weak groundout to end the threat. Across the first seven innings, the Royals left six runners stranded.</p><p>On the other side, Royals starter Michael Wacha matched Skubal through four innings, allowing just one hit. However, Detroit’s offense broke through in the fifth. After Spencer Torkelson walked and Zach McKinstry singled, Jake Rogers, who entered the day with five hits in eight career at-bats against Wacha, lined a two-run triple to deep center. Royals center fielder Tyler Tolbert misplayed the ball at the wall, allowing both runs to score.</p><p>The rally continued as Colt Keith added an RBI double and Gleyber Torres singled to extend the lead to 4-0. Wacha exited after 4⅔ innings, charged with four runs on five hits and a walk, with four strikeouts. Detroit added a fifth run in the eighth when Riley Greene scored on a passed ball by reliever Sam Long. Rogers finished the day 2-for-4 with two RBIs.</p><p>The Tigers’ bullpen backed Skubal to close out the shutout. Trade deadline acquisition Kyle Finnegan worked a scoreless eighth, extending his streak to 14⅓ innings without an earned run since joining the Tigers. Rafael Montero, also acquired at the deadline, retired the side in order in the ninth.</p><p>Detroit improved to 80-58, becoming the second MLB team to reach 80 wins this season, behind only the Milwaukee Brewers. The Tigers continue to hold the best record in the American League, sitting a half-game ahead of Toronto (79-58), while extending its AL Central lead to 9½ games over Kansas City.</p><p>Tarik Skubal lowered his ERA to 2.18, slightly ahead of Boston’s Garrett Crochet (2.40), with both pitchers battling for the 2025 AL Cy Young Award. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/detroit-tigers/tigers-news-tarik-skubal-al-cy-young-award-historic-season">A year after claiming the award</a>, Skubal is right back in the thick of the Cy Young race, and his latest record-setting outing has enhanced both his chances and the Tigers’ push for their first championship since 1984.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Tigers’ Tarik Skubal makes more franchise history amid Cy Young chase

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-news-kansas-city-calls-up-no-2-prospect-wild-card-push');   ga('set', 'title', 'Royals call up No. 2 prospect for Wild Card push');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Royals-manager-Matt-Quatraro.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Royals call up No. 2 prospect for Wild Card push</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-31T19:50:34-07:00">August 31st, 7:50pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-31T19:50:34-07:00">August 31st, 7:50pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-add-ex-tigers-blue-jays-pitcher">Kansas City Royals are adding depth to their lineup and pitching staff</a> for the season’s final stretch by taking advantage of September’s roster expansion to 28 players to The club announced on Monday that catcher Carter Jensen and right-handed pitcher Luinder Avila <a href="https://x.com/MLB/status/1962313582793634300" rel="noopener">will be called up</a> from Triple-A Omaha, while outfielder Jac Caglianone will be activated from the injured list. One corresponding roster move will be required to accommodate the additions.</p><p>Jensen, the Royals’ No. 2 prospect and a Kansas City native, will make his MLB debut after an impressive 2025 campaign across Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. The 22-year-old catcher, drafted in the third round out of Park Hill High School in 2021, hit .292/.360/.420 in 308 plate appearances at Double-A before earning a promotion. In 184 Triple-A plate appearances, Jensen has elevated his game, slashing .288/.404/.647 with 14 home runs. Across both levels this season, he has totaled 20 home runs, 20 doubles, and five triples, while maintaining a combined .290/.377/.501 batting line.</p><p>His advanced plate discipline and patient approach at the plate have been key to his success. His defensive skills, including a strong throwing arm and improving framing ability, have been noteworthy. Ranked 69th by MLB Pipeline and 88th by Baseball America, Jensen will occupy a significant role as a catcher behind Salvador Perez, who will continue to receive designated hitter days to manage workload.</p><p>Carter Jensen will be added to the 40-man roster, protecting him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft, and retains rookie eligibility heading into 2026 and could gradually develop into the team’s long-term successor at catcher, especially with the Royals holding a $13.5 million club option on Perez next season.</p><p>Jac Caglianone, who has been rehabbing from a left hamstring strain since late July, will return after a strong Triple-A stretch. In 16 rehab games, the 6-foot-5 outfielder hit .385 with five home runs, including a 451-foot blast on Saturday. Caglianone struggled in his initial MLB stint this season, hitting .147/.205/.280 with five home runs in 41 games, but the Royals hope his regained power can give the offense a much-needed lift down the stretch.</p><p>Right-hander Luinder Avila, 23, will rejoin the bullpen after a brief earlier appearance where he tossed a scoreless inning against the Nationals. This season in Triple-A, Avila has compiled 61 strikeouts in 53.1 innings but carries a 5.23 ERA. Kansas City will likely use him in middle relief, aiming for consistency in late-inning games.</p><p>With these September call-ups, the Royals are combining youth, power, and pitching depth <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-will-clinch-al-wild-card-spot">to support their Wild Card push</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Royals call up No. 2 prospect for Wild Card push

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/kansas-city-royals/royals-add-ex-tigers-blue-jays-pitcher');   ga('set', 'title', 'Royals add ex-Tigers, Blue Jays pitcher');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Former-Blue-Jays-pitcher-Spencer-Turnbull-against-White-Sox.jpg"><figcaption>Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Royals add ex-Tigers, Blue Jays pitcher</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-30T15:30:54-07:00">August 30th, 3:30pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-30T15:31:54-07:00">August 30th, 3:31pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Kansas City Royals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Kansas City Royals <a href="https://x.com/KCRoyalsPD/status/1961858993594261664" rel="noopener">have added veteran right-hander</a> Spencer Turnbull on a minor league contract, assigning him to Triple-A Omaha. The move comes as Kansas City continues to battle for a playoff spot in the American League, entering the weekend with a 69–66 record, three games behind the Seattle Mariners for the final Wild Card berth.</p><p>Turnbull, who turns 33 in September, has had a difficult 2025 season across multiple organizations. He opened the year in free agency before <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/toronto-blue-jays/blue-jays-news-sign-2-pitchers-strengthen-staff">signing a prorated deal with the Toronto Blue Jays</a> in May worth $1.265 million. His time with Toronto was brief, totaling just 6 1/3 innings over three outings with a 7.11 ERA, four strikeouts, and four walks, before the team released him in late June.</p><p>Shortly afterward, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-spencer-turnbull-signing-chicago-blue-jays-release">Turnbull joined the Chicago Cubs on a minors deal</a>, but his struggles persisted at Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a 9.49 ERA in six starts. In 24 2/3 innings, he allowed 13 walks while striking out 24. Overall, his combined 2025 minor league numbers show a 7.96 ERA in 46 1/3 innings, paired with a 10.5% walk rate and 18.8% strikeout rate.</p><p>Amidst the recent struggles, Turnbull carries significant major league experience. Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the second round of the 2014 MLB Draft, he debuted in 2018 and became a rotation regular the following year. His career highlight came on May 18, 2021, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/detroit-tigers/tigers-news-spencer-turnbull-sets-bunch-of-milestones-after-stirring-no-hitter-against-mariners">when he threw the Tigers’ eighth no-hitter</a> in franchise history against the Mariners, striking out nine in a 5–0 win. That season, he recorded a 2.88 ERA before undergoing Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for all of 2022.</p><p>Turnbull’s time in Detroit ended after the Tigers declined to tender him a contract in November 2023. He then signed <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/philadelphia-phillies/phillies-news-sign-former-tigers-starter-for-depth-ahead-of-spring-training">a $2 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies</a> in 2024, delivering strong results with a 2.65 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 17 games before a lat strain ended his season in late June.</p><p>In Kansas City, Turnbull represents low-risk depth for a staff hit hard by injuries. The Royals would owe him only the prorated portion of the league minimum for any time he spends in the majors, with Toronto covering the remainder of his 2025 salary. Because he joined the organization before September 1, Turnbull would also be eligible for the postseason roster should Kansas City secure a playoff berth.</p><p>Turnbull’s role with the Royals remains to be determined, but possibilities include serving as rotation insurance or working as a swingman out of the bullpen, similar to his hybrid role with the Phillies in 2024.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Royals add ex-Tigers, Blue Jays pitcher

Angel
Zerpa

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2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	HOLDS	SAVES
27	0	9	0.2222	2	0

2025 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	HOLDS	SAVES
27	0	9	0.2222	2	0

Angel Zerpa

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• Royals add ex-Tigers, Blue Jays pitcher

Angel
Zerpa