Royals struggling as September unfolds
BALTIMORE — Johnny Cueto’s recent struggles have become a major concern for the Kansas City Royals.
Cueto is expected to be a major contributor for the team’s World Series aspirations. The Royals, however, still need to find a way to get the right-hander on track after acquiring him from the Reds to help anchor the rotation.
Cueto (2-6) lost his fifth straight start Sunday, allowing a season-high eight runs and 11 hits over 6-1/3 innings in an 8-2 loss to the Orioles. He tied a careerhigh by allowing four homers and has given up 28 runs over his past 26-1/3 innings.
“I’ve just got to keep my head up and keep moving forward and keep fighting through this,” Cueto said. “This is going to change and at the end, I’m going to do what I came here to do.”
Heading into Monday’s game against Cleveland, the Royals had lost seven of nine, having dropped their third straight series for the first time this season.
At 84-58 they still have the best record in the American League East — although the Blue Jays (82-61) have gained ground — and a 10-game lead over Baltimore in the central division.
Prior to the trade, Cueto was 7-6 for the Reds with a 2.62 ERA and a .93 WHIP. For the Royals, he’s 2-6 with a 5.43 ERA and 1.42.
“He needs to establish his fastball then his secondary stuff, it opens a whole world of different possibilities,” Royals manager Ned Yost said about Cueto’s struggles.
Orioles manager Buck Showalter believes Cueto will still play a valuable role for the Royals.
“He’s had his challenges a little bit since the trade,” Showalter said. “It’s an adjustment for pitchers coming over from the National League to the American League. He’s a good quality pitcher. This guy has had a sub-three ERA for a long time and he is only 29. So, I would be surprised if he wasn’t a big contributor for them in the playoffs.”