The Kansas City Royals are done waiting for a trade that never happened. They lost out on outfielder Taylor Ward when the Angels sent him to the Baltimore Orioles instead. This move cost the Royals a chance to shore up their lineup for a playoff push. Now they face the Angels in a rubber match with a chance to prove they don’t need Ward to win.
The Trade That Got Away
Rumors swirled for months about a deal involving Kris Bubic and Taylor Ward. The Angels were ready to part with Ward for a price the Royals could pay. But then the Orioles stepped in with a better offer. According to Royals Review, the Angels had actually agreed to the Bubic deal but backed out when Baltimore offered Grayson Rodriguez. It’s a bitter pill for fans who watched their team miss out on a proven hitter.
Rodriguez has struggled mightily since arriving, posting a 7.20 ERA this season. Bubic has dealt with injuries too, but he had high-quality starts before his problems began.
The Royals needed outfield help, and Ward was the guy they wanted. He wouldn’t have hurt the team, and he might have kept them afloat. Instead, the team is stuck with what they have. The loss of Ward feels like a missed opportunity that could haunt the season. But the Royals aren’t down and out yet. They have a chance to make a statement on the field.
Royals Own the Angels Series
The numbers tell a clear story about this series. The Royals have won four of five games against the Angels this year. They dropped the last game 1-0, but they won a back-and-forth affair on Friday with a 7-6 score. The Angels sit at 49-75, which is slightly worse than the Royals’ 50-74 record. This is the final game of a road trip, and the team is looking to wrap it up with a win. Noah Cameron starts for the Royals, while Ryan Johnson takes the mound for Anaheim.
Johnson is a 24-year-old right-hander from the 2024 draft. He doesn’t overpower hitters, and he carries a 6.71 ERA on the season. The Royals have the edge in this matchup. They just need to execute. The team flew home for a weeklong homestand after today, and a win would make the flight much happier. Per Royals Review, the Royals have shown they can beat this team even without the star power they thought they would get.
Can They Finish the Job?
Jac Caglianone has been a bright spot in the lineup. He had three hits in the last game, including a go-ahead home run. He tied the game in the late innings and gave the team an important cushion. Michael Massey also hit a home run that looked like it would bounce but ended up in the seats.
