Salvador Perez nears Brett as Royals chase Giants sweep
The Kansas City Royals go for a series sweep of the San Francisco Giants on July 22 with Salvador Perez one home run from tying George Brett's franchise record, while Bobby Witt Jr. hits the injured list and Seth Lugo faces Landen Roupp at Kauffman Stadium after Kansas City's 4-1 post-All-Star start. Injuries and a history chase frame a midday rubber-game feel even though the series is already decided for San Francisco.
Key Takeaways
- The Royals, 4-1 since the All-Star break, can complete a sweep behind Seth Lugo against Landen Roupp.
- Salvador Perez sits one home run from matching George Brett's all-time Royals home run lead.
- Bobby Witt Jr. is headed to the injured list; Andrew Velazquez makes his Royals debut at shortstop.
- The Giants have dropped two straight one-run games in Kansas City and are trying to salvage one win before hosting the Angels.
- First pitch is 11:10 a.m. PT at Kauffman Stadium, with regional TV on NBC Sports Bay Area and Royals.TV.
What is at stake for Salvador Perez and the Royals today?
Kansas City enters looking to finish the job after climbing out of the break at 4-1, even as its run differential over those five games remains negative because of a Sunday blowout. The bigger roster story is attrition: Jac Caglianone is out after a shoulder injury the night before, and star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is going on the injured list.
Andrew Velazquez, a veteran who has bounced between the majors and minors, will debut for the Royals in Witt's place. He is described as an okay defensive shortstop with a career wRC+ of 48. Amid the absences, Royals Review notes Salvador Perez is now one homer from tying George Brett's franchise home run mark—giving the sweep push an extra narrative hook. For more market-moving sports alerts, see BlasterPost Fintech & Crypto Alerts.
Who is pitching in the Royals vs. Giants matchup?
Right-hander Seth Lugo (3-6, 4.39 ERA, 4.34 FIP) takes the ball for Kansas City after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits over six innings in a 7-6 win over San Diego, with three strikeouts and two walks. He has 89 strikeouts and 36 walks in 110.2 innings this season.
Giants righty Landen Roupp (7-8, 3.98 ERA, 3.33 FIP) counters with 106 strikeouts and 45 walks in 104 innings. The 27-year-old has been solid over recent seasons but walks batters and has struggled with runners on. His last outing was a seven-inning gem in a 7-0 win over Seattle: two hits, three walks, and two strikeouts.
Can the Giants salvage a win after two one-run losses?
San Francisco has had a rough visit, losing two straight by one run, including a 3-2 defeat in which Luinder Avila threw 6.1 innings with two runs, five hits, seven strikeouts, and one walk while Tyler Mahle allowed three runs in five innings. The series is already lost; the job now is to take one game before returning home to face the Los Angeles Angels.
Per Sports Illustrated, lineup matchups to watch against Lugo include Luis Arraez at the top amid trade-deadline interest, Willy Adames (one home run and a 1.089 OPS in seven at-bats versus Lugo), and Jung Hoo Lee, another deadline name. The Giants' posted order leads with Arraez, Bryce Eldridge, Heliot Ramos, Rafael Devers, Casey Schmitt, Lee, Adames, Drew Gilbert, and Drew Cavanaugh.