AUGUST 21, 2021 • KANSASCITY.COM
KANSAS CITY ROYALS 86-76 · 2ND IN AL CENTRAL
86-76 · 2ND IN AL CENTRAL
Sal Perez scratched from Kansas City Royals lineup Saturday in Chicago. Here's the deal A lineup change inserted Cam Gallagher and scratched Sal Perez. The move comes one day after Perez had a rough outing against the Cubs.
Salvy, headache, scratched vs. Cubs CHICAGO -- Salvador Perez was a late scratch from the Royals' lineup Saturday afternoon. Manager Mike Matheny had originally penciled Perez...
AUGUST 21, 2021 • MLB.COM
Salvador Perez - Late scratch Saturday Perez (neck) was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup against the Cubs due to a headache.
Impact Perez was initially slated to return to action Saturday after he exited Friday's matchup with posterior neck soreness. The 30-year-old wasn't diagnosed with a concussion following Friday's game, but he tested his injury ahead of the contest and wasn't deemed ready to return. Whether he could be available in a bench capacity remains to be seen, but Cam Gallagher will take his place behind the dish and bat eighth.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Hunter Dozier - Remains out of lineup Dozier (illness) isn't starting Saturday's game against the Cubs.
Impact Dozier will be excluded from the lineup for a second straight game as he continues to deal with an illness. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Ryan O'Hearn will start in right field and bat seventh.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Salvador Perez - Starting Saturday Perez (neck) is starting Saturday's game against the Cubs.
Impact Perez was removed from Friday's contest with posterior neck soreness, but the injury wasn't considered serious, and he'll start behind the plate and bat third Saturday. The 31-year-old went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs in Friday's series opener.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Royals vs Cubs Prediction and Pick for MLB Game Today From FanDuel Sportsbook Today's slate of MLB games includes a clash between the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs. Royals vs Cubs Prediction and Pick Today CBS Sp...
AUGUST 21, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Thompson scheduled to start as Chicago hosts Kansas City
The Cubs will send Keegan Thompson to the mound Saturday and the Royals plan to give Kris Bubic the startAUGUST 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Whit Merrifield - Steals in consecutive games Merrifield went 1-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.
Impact While he's gone just 3-for-18 in his last four games, Merrifield has managed to record a pair of steals in that span. His major-league-leading total is up to 36 thefts in 38 attempts. The second baseman owns a .272/.317/.384 slash line with eight home runs, 57 RBI and 67 runs scored in 121 games from his usual leadoff spot in the order.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Cam Gallagher - Blasts late home run Gallagher went 1-for-1 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.
Impact Gallagher entered Friday's game as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the eighth inning after Salvador Perez (neck) suffered an injury. The 28-year-old gave the Royals some insurance during his lone at-bat in the top of the ninth inning by hitting his first homer of 2021. Gallagher has had sporadic playing time but is in line for increased at-bats if Perez misses any additional games.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Andrew Benintendi - Showcases power in win Benintendi went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Friday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.
Impact The Royals struggled to generate much offensive production early in Friday's matchup, but Benintendi recorded two extra-base hits in his first three at-bats. The 27-year-old has posted multi-hit performances in three contests during his current six-game hitting streak, and he's crossed the plate five times across those six appearances.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Emmanuel Rivera - Swats first homer Rivera went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a strikeout in Friday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.
Impact Rivera had been out of the lineup in each of the last two games, but he blasted his first major-league home run in the fifth inning Friday. The 25-year-old has recorded hits in each of his last four appearances, but he has just two extra-base hits in 13 games since the start of August.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Brad Keller - Earns eighth win Keller (8-12) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out eight in six innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Friday.
Impact Keller had been charged with losses in each of his last three starts, but he had more success Friday. The Royals fell behind early since the right-hander gave up runs in the second and third innings, but he got more run support from the team's offense starting in the fourth inning. Across four starts in August, Keller has recorded a 4.79 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 20.2 innings. He tentatively lines up to make his next start on the road against Seattle on Thursday.
AUGUST 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Column: The Chicago Cubs drop their 11th straight home game with a 6-2 loss to Kansas City Royals. Is it time to kiss another goat? The Chicago Cubs dropped their 11th consecutive home game with a 6-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals and on Saturday will try to avoid tying...
AUGUST 20, 2021 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM
Salvador Perez - Avoids concussion Perez exited Friday's win over the Cubs due to posterior neck soreness, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports.
Impact Perez was productive early in Friday's matchup, as he went 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs. However, he was replaced by a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. The catcher was apparently evaluated for a concussion after the game but was ultimately diagnosed with a neck injury. The 31-year-old should be considered day-to-day, but Cam Gallagher would likely take over behind the dish if Perez is forced to miss additional time.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Kansas City Royals ride five-homer outburst to a victory over the Cubs in Chicago Sal Perez hits two homers against Cubs in Wrigley.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • KANSASCITY.COM
Perez hits 2 of Royals' 5 homers in 6-2 victory over Cubs
Salvador Perez hit two of Kansas City’s five home runs in the Royals’ 6-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on FridayAUGUST 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cubs-Royals MLB 2021 live stream 2021 baseball pennant races heating up
AUGUST 20, 2021 • AL.COM
Hunter Dozier - Battling illness Dozier will sit Friday against the Cubs due to illness, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.
Impact The Royals haven't mentioned any coronavirus concerns regarding Dozier, so this appears to be simply a normal illness. Assuming that remains the case, he should be back in the lineup soon. Ryan O'Hearn starts in right field Friday.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Hunter Dozier - Day off Friday Dozier is not in the lineup Friday against the Cubs, Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City reports.
Impact Dozier started the past nine games and will receive a breather after posting an .869 OPS with two homers during that stretch, and he'll be the odd man out Friday since the Royals are without the services of the designated hitter at Chicago in a National League park. Ryan O'Hearn will start in right field in the series opener.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Royals vs Cubs Prediction and Pick for MLB Game Today From FanDuel Sportsbook Today's slate of MLB games includes a clash between the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs. Royals vs Cubs Prediction and Pick Today CBS Sp...
AUGUST 20, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM
Jarrod Dyson - Ends skid in loss Dyson went 1-for-4 in Thursday's 6-3 extra-inning loss to Houston.
Impact While not particularly notable alone, Dyson's single Thursday ended an 0-for-16 skid at the plate dating back to July 31. The outfielder continues to see highly limited playing time, drawing just 126 plate appearances in 71 contests. He's added seven stolen bases, nine RBI, 13 runs scored and a pair of doubles.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Whit Merrifield - Swipes bag in loss Merrifield went 1-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 6-3 extra-inning loss to Houston.
Impact Merrifield helped manufacture the opening run in the first inning. He singled, then moved to second on a Nicky Lopez sacrifice, stole third and scored on a Salvador Perez sacrifice fly. In August alone, Merrifield has recorded eight stolen bases in 17 games. He's up to 35 for the year to go with eight home runs, 57 RBI, 66 runs scored and a .273/.318/.385 slash line in 525 plate appearances.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Nicky Lopez - Goes deep Thursday Lopez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 6-3 extra-inning loss to Houston.
Impact The light-hitting shortstop took Luis Garcia deep in the third inning for what would be Kansas City's last runs of the game. That was the first long ball of the season for Lopez, and just the fourth of his career in 268 games -- he's not expected to suddenly evolve into a power threat. The 26-year-old has added some speed (15 stolen bases, five triples) while slashing .277/.347/.354 with 30 RBI and 49 runs scored through 375 plate appearances.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Wade Davis - Handed third loss Davis (0-3) allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk while failing to record an out, taking the extra-inning loss Thursday versus Houston.
Impact Davis wasn't able to get anything going in the 10th inning, and Ervin Santana let two inherited runners score before finally escaping the jam. After an eight-inning scoreless streak coming out of the All-Star break, Davis has allowed five runs (four earned) across his last three appearances. His ERA ticked up to 6.81 with a 1.46 WHIP and 30:16 K:BB across 35.2 innings overall.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Mike Minor - No-decision versus Astros Minor allowed three runs on seven hits and struck out four in 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus Houston on Thursday.
Impact The southpaw got through five innings with little trouble, but three straight one-out hits in the sixth, including a pair of RBI doubles, were enough to force manager Mike Matheny to go to his bullpen. Minor kept the ball in the yard Thursday for the first time in his last four starts. He's been inconsistent for much of the year with a 5.34 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 139:40 K:BB across 141.2 innings in 25 starts. He carries an 8-11 record into his next start, tentatively set for a rematch in Houston next week.
AUGUST 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
