Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. hits a three-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball … [+] game against the Houston Astros in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, April 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
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The Kansas City Royals barely lost the race to the absolute bottom of major league baseball last season, finishing 56-106, better than only the 50-win Oakland Athletics. Truth be told, however, they weren’t nearly that bad.
My batted ball-based method saw them as a 68-win true talent club – still awful, but nowhere near the A’s area code. In fact, their offense rated just a little worse than league average, and that was with promising young 1B Vinnie Pasquantino missing most of the season with a significant shoulder injury. They were led by cornerstone SS Bobby Witt Jr., who finished 7th in the MVP voting with a 30 homer/49 steal line.
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The pitching? Well, it stunk. Way down in Oakland’s neighborhood. Their staff ranked dead last in the AL in strikeouts, and all but one of their main starters posted ERAs over 5.00.
The one exception – lefty Cole Ragans – was notable, and gave them hope moving forward. After proving unable to draft and develop dominant homegrown starters, they hit big on Ragans, acquired from the Texas Rangers at last year’s trading deadline for reliever Aroldis Chapman. He went 5-2, 2.64, in 12 late-season starts, with a glittering 89/27 K/BB ratio in 71 2/3 innings. He combines raw stuff with polished command, and put it all together immediately upon his arrival in Kansas City.
Still, the Royals knew they didn’t have enough starting pitching on hand, and set out to add more in the middle tier of the free agent market. They brought aboard righties Seth Lugo (three years, $45 million) and Michael Wacha (two years, $32 million) to at least add stability to the rotation. Some prognosticators scratched their heads at these investments, citing them as frivolous expenditures for a club in the early stages of a rebuild. But if they can slot into the rotation and offer them 160-180 innings apiece of mere competence, that would shorten games on a specific basis and the season in general.
And Lugo has been much more than competent in the early going, posting a 1.05 ERA in his first three starts. Now he’s only struck out 13 batters in 25 2/3 innings, so he’s due for some regression on balls in play, but he’s clearly better than other in-house alternatives.
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Another big development has been the return of Brady Singer – the rare homegrown starter who has shown flashes of excellence over the years – from a late-2023 back injury. He’s posted an 0.98 ERA and an 18/4 K/BB over his first 18 1/3 innings. Lefty Ragans and righty Singer are the two Royals’ starters with above MLB-average upside.
They need their starters to give them six-plus innings on most nights, as the bullpen is unproven and doesn’t miss a ton of bats. In fact, while the Royals have allowed the fewest runs (48) in the AL through Monday’s games, with the 2nd lowest ERA (2.86), they ranked dead last in the circuit in strikeouts. Their spacious ballpark and the early season cold weather has cut them some breaks so far – while their pitching does appear much improved, you simply cannot be an above average run prevention outfit while striking out so few batters.
But maybe the pitching doesn’t need to be elite for the Royals to contend. Despite the pitcher-friendly nature of Kauffman Stadium, they could ultimately have an above average offense. They’re 1st in the AL with 87 runs scored, and the bulk of the damage has been done by a cadre of youngsters, led by face of the franchise Witt, 24, whose signing of a long-term, huge-money deal was covered in this space not long ago.
Pasquantino, 26, has locked down first base, MJ Melendez, 25, appears to be coming into his own in left field, while Maikel Garcia, 24, and Nelson Velazquez, 25, are holding down third base and DH while showing impressive batted ball metrics that offer hope for the future.
Veteran catcher Salvador Perez, 34, remains a durable, powerful presence behind the plate, and is off to a .339-.369-.565 start that is bettered only by Witt’s (.314-.368-.657). The lineup has length, power and speed. They’re 2nd in the AL in homers and 1st in steals. Again, they might not be THAT good, but I feel pretty comfortable in saying their offense is at least…….good. And in comparison to their track record in recent years, that’s saying something.
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So like yesterday’s topic, the Detroit Tigers, the Kansas City Royals just might have the goods to be heard from in an eminently winnable American League Central. The bullpen is going to need fortification for that to happen, but that’s what the trading deadline is for. This time around, the Royals might be on the other end of the type of trade that delivered them Ragans last year.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – People who live in and around Kansas City should prepare for a significant winter storm this weekend.
Winter storm watches are already in effect for the metro’s extreme western counties on the Kansas side. The watches start around Jefferson County and stretch south to Anderson and Franklin Counties. The watches are for 12 p.m. Saturday until Sunday at 6 p.m.
The KCTV5 First Warn Weather Team expects a significant winter storm to impact Kansas City starting as early as 12 p.m. Saturday.(KCTV5)
With the latest data available Thursday morning, expect winter storm warnings to impact the region within the next 24 hours to 48 hours.
THURSDAY FORECAST: Morning snow flakes turn to sunny skies before significant storm impacts weekend
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Saturday
We are just starting to see signs in our short range modeling data that shows the winter storm entering in Saturday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. Freezing rain is likely to last Saturday afternoon and evening and into the early morning hours Sunday.
The extended forecast, data across all models are becoming more consistent with very little changes in snowfall or where it will fall.
Significant snowfall expected
At this time all forecast models are indicating snowfall totals between Saturday through Monday to range between 12 inches and 18 inches for the metro with up to 30 inches closer to St. Joseph and Cameron.
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The KCTV5 First Warn Weather Team expects a significant winter storm to impact Kansas City starting as early as 12 p.m. Saturday.(KCTV5)
With those values in mind our extended forecast modeling systems forecasts using an algorithm that concentrates on the higher levels of the atmosphere rather than closer to the surface. This means precipitation totals are skewed overall. A more accurate forecast truly can be attained closer to the surface, but not many of our short range Models are in range to be used for this calculation. Another 24hours is needed to get a better snow value.
Taking those values into consideration, we do not expect to see such high levels of snowfall throughout the area however, a more conservative forecast still puts us confidently between 6 inches and 8 inches of snow with local areas getting 10+ inches of snow.
The KCTV5 First Warn Weather Team expects a significant winter storm to impact Kansas City starting as early as 12 p.m. Saturday.(KCTV5)
With these snowfall totals in mind accompanied with high wind, low visibility and ice accumulation, this puts the viewing area in a very dangerous situation and should be taken seriously. Preparing for this winter storm is vital. Traveling on any roads after 12 PM Saturday will be extremely dangerous.
Be sure to have a plan in place to keep you and your family safe during the winter storm. This means preparing your home and your vehicles for this winter event making sure you have the supplies needed to last through the winter storm, especially if the power goes out.
We anticipate together new data every three hours to six hours up until the actual event and we will continue to update you as soon as new information is presented to us. Stick with KCTV5 and the first warn five weather team for the latest on this significant winter storm.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – While some were celebrating New Year’s with fireworks and champagne, several Kansas City residents are welcoming new additions to their families. Several babies were born after the clock struck midnight at hospitals across the metro.
“I don’t think it’s hit me yet that I’ve had a baby,” said Jaiden Willard. “She’s my second one. I feel like it’s going to hit me soon, like oh, I had a baby!”
Willard welcomed baby Julietta at The University of Kansas Health System’s Olathe campus at 12:45 a.m. Weighing in a 7 lbs., 3 oz, Julietta joins her big sister, who turns 2 in a few days. Willard says Julietta’s older sister is over the moon.
“Oh my gosh, she came in today saying baby sister, that’s my baby,” said Willard. “She would say ‘Baby is cold’ and got the blanket to cover her up. It was just the cutest thing. She kept asking ‘Where is my baby’ and was looking around the room for the baby. It was funny.”
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The Willard family welcomes baby Julietta on Jan. 1, 2025.(KCTV5/Chandler Watkins)
The University of Kansas Health System says each family received a gift basket filled with baby items from the Chiefs, Royals, and KC Current, as well as a selection of health system-branded items.
Across the river at North Kansas City Hospital, Aleacia Estrada and Bryan Diarte welcomed their first child, Jesse, at 1:06 a.m.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Diarte, “Hearing his first cries made me cry, not gonna lie. It’s surreal, still. Just hasn’t settled in.”
Diarte says his brother also has little ones and is excited to watch all their kids grow up together.
North Kansas City Hospital also gave the new parents a basket full of goodies like books and diapers.
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“We got an octopus toy,” said Diarte. “This little puppet is my favorite. Definitely going to play with these with him. We got a lot of books, some Pampers, blankets.”
Alaecia Estrada and Bryan Diarte welcome baby Jesse on Jan. 1, 2025.(KCTV5/Chandler Watkins)
As parents across the metro celebrate the new year with their new babies, Willard has a special message for other moms:
“They are rockstars, to be honest,” said Willard. “Bring in labor is very difficult. Congratulations and I hope everything goes good for the rest of the year!”
With the number one seed in the AFC playoffs fully locked up for the Kansas City Chiefs, the team has made some personnel decisions to ensure the safety of its players.
That includes the move to bench starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes for Kansas City’s final regular season game against the Denver Broncos.
In his place, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that backup quarterback Carson Wentz will get the start.
While other moves hadn’t been announced, it’s likely that other key Kansas City starters – like pass rusher Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce – could also be benched.
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This game doesn’t have any importance for the 15-1 Chiefs – who already secured a bye to the AFC Divisional round taking place the weekend of January 18th.
However, that doesn’t mean that the game isn’t important to the overall AFC playoff picture.
The Kansas City Chiefs will be benching Patrick Mahomes for Sunday’s Week 18 matchup
Carson Wentz will get the start against Denver as KC already clinched the No. 1 seed
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The Broncos (9-7) are clinging to the last playoff spot – the seven-seed – and will likely need a victory in order to seal their participation in the NFL’s postseason.
If they don’t win the game against KC, then their fate is out of their hands and a spot could go to one of two other teams that currently sit at 8-8.
The Cincinnati Bengals play the 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night and are in position to make the playoffs if they win and if Denver loses.
But if Cincinnati and Denver both lose, then the door swings open for the Miami Dolphins to claim the final playoff spot if they manage to beat the New York Jets.
If all three teams lose, then Denver will make it into the postseason on tiebreakers.
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Whoever clinches the seven-seed faces a trip to Orchard Park, New York to take on the Buffalo Bills – who have locked up the two-seed in the AFC playoffs.
As for the NFC, all playoff teams have been confirmed barring the NFC South division – where either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Atlanta Falcons will make the postseason.
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Kansas City Chiefs make huge Patrick Mahomes decision ahead of Week 18 finale against the Broncos
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