It’s nice to have an experienced starter who gives it his all in the crucial moments.
Michael Wacha has become just that for the Kansas City Royals, emerging as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball since May. While the Royals are battling for a wild-card spot, Wacha’s late-season resurgence has been a key factor in their success.
The 33-year-old right-hander, now in his 12th MLB season, is a model of consistency and has helped stabilize the Royals’ pitching staff during a critical stretch of the season.
Wacha hasn’t allowed more than three earned runs in a start since May 5, when he got hit hard by the Texas Rangers and allowed seven runs. Since then, he has systematically lowered his ERA from a worrisome 5.50 to a solid 3.50, a testament to his durability and effectiveness on the mound. In that time, Wacha has recorded eight starts with five or more strikeouts and eight starts in which he has allowed fewer than five hits.
His turnaround has been remarkable. After starting the season with a 1-4 record, Wacha has won eight of his last nine decisions to improve his record to 9-6. The Royals have won six of their last seven games, a stretch in which Wacha has been instrumental. He has had two consecutive games with over 90 pitches, throwing 99 against the Detroit Tigers on August 4 and 92 against the St. Louis Cardinals last Saturday.
In his last appearance, Wacha threw seven strong innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and two walks, and striking out six players. The performance was his 11th quality start of the season and cemented his role as the Royals’ most reliable starter. Wacha’s contributions also translated into a 2.0 WAR.
As the Royals look to keep their wildcard hopes alive, they will need to keep Wacha in his current form. His ability to navigate difficult lineups and put up long performances has been key to the Royals’ recent success. As the pressure mounts and every game becomes more important, Wacha’s experience and composure will be crucial as Kansas City looks to make another comeback late in the season.
The Royals will continue to rely on Wacha in the final stretch of the season, as every win will be crucial in their quest for a playoff spot, as his next start could play a crucial role in whether Kansas City can keep up in the tight race for the AL wild card.
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