The Royals and Guardians square off in game four of their four-game series this afternoon at 1:10 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the first two games of the series to push their winning streak to five before dropping last night’s game, 3-1.
Of course, the bigger news out of the game was Cole Ragans leaving early due to triceps and elbow soreness/discomfort. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound like anything too serious.
Anne Rogers followed up this morning with a post that Ragans had testing done and is awaiting results. And so we wait with him.
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Meanwhile, Seth Lugo takes the ball against a Cleveland team that hasn’t scored much this entire series but could still walk away with a split. In his last outing, Lugo took a no-decision as he went six innings allowing two runs (both earned) with six strikeouts, two walks, and eight hits allowed against the Mariners in a game the Royals won 3-2 in extras. For the second time this season, he tossed over 100 pitches.
For the season, Lugo sports a sterling 2.64 FIP over 43-and-2/3 innings pitched while striking out 37 batters and walking 13. He has, though, allowed more hits-per-nine-innings than at any point during his tenure with the Royals.
The Guardians send to the mound a dude with an absolutely killer first name: Slade Cecconi. And get this—he’s a righty! Whew.
Cecconi pitched well for the Guardians last year but has struggled so far in 2026. In seven starts, he’s sporting a 6.56 ERA with only a slightly lower 5.83 FIP. In his last five outings, he’s surrendered seven home runs, and that includes allow multiple homers in three different starts, against the Braves, Astros, and Athletics. In four of those starts, he’s allowed at least four earned runs.
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Here’s Kansas City’s lineup against Cecconi:
Nothing crazy here against the right-hander. Only three right-handed hitters in the lineup, and they’re all within the first four batters. This squad should be able to produce against Cecconi.
Now for Cleveland:
See you after the game!
