Seth Lugo Shines as Kansas City Royals Face Colorado Rockies
Seth Lugo will make another audition to be the American League’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game when the Kansas City Royals visit the Colorado Rockies on Saturday in Denver.
Lugo, with an impressive record of 11-2 and a 2.17 ERA, is tied for the major league lead in victories and leads baseball in ERA. The right-hander has been dominating on the mound with a 1.03 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 116 innings.
There is no shortage of Kansas City players and coaches eager to lobby for the 34-year-old Lugo, who is in his first season with the Royals.
“It’s unbelievable what he is doing and just dominating,” Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. told reporters. “The work he puts in both on and off the field. I’ve been calling him the surgeon for a reason. He’s just dissecting hitters up there.”
Lugo has been consistent in his performances, allowing two or fewer earned runs in 15 of his 18 starts and walking two or fewer 16 times. In his past four starts, Lugo is 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings.
The sudden chatter about being the All-Star starter on July 16 in Arlington, Texas, is pleasing to Lugo’s ears.
“That would be awesome,” Lugo said. “Something I didn’t ever dream of, so it would be a really cool surprise.”
Lugo has already broken his career high for victories, surpassing last season’s record of 8-7 with a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts for the San Diego Padres. He signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Royals in the offseason, and it has paid off with his outstanding performance on the mound.
In his most recent effort last Sunday, Lugo struck out 10 batters for his third double-digit output of the season. He also allowed just four hits and one walk in six innings while beating the Cleveland Guardians.
Lugo has a favorable history against the Rockies, with a 3-0 record and a 2.68 ERA in 12 appearances (five starts) against them. He is 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA in four appearances (two starts) at Coors Field.
The Rockies will counter with left-hander Austin Gomber (1-5, 4.72), who has struggled this season, giving up 15 homers and pitching five or fewer innings in six of his 16 starts. Gomber will look to bounce back after a tough stretch where he is winless in his last six outings with an 8.69 ERA.
It will be an exciting matchup as Lugo aims to lead the Royals to victory after losing the series opener to the Rockies on Friday night. Colorado’s Brenton Doyle has been on fire, continuing his hot streak with a 3-for-4 performance and helping the Rockies secure the win.
As both teams look to gain momentum, this game promises to be an exciting battle between two talented pitchers on the mound. Stay tuned for more thrilling action as the Kansas City Royals take on the Colorado Rockies in Denver.
