The Kansas City Royals have been dominant in the first week of 2016 MLB season, winning five of their first six games including a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins over the weekend. The team's pitching has been particularly impressive, boasting the league's second-best ERA (2.15) and ranking top-five in strikeouts (55) and opponents' batting average (.216).
The Royals' offense has not been quite as impressive, but a couple K.C. players currently find themselves in the news for reasons other than their production at the plate. Read on for a couple of the juiciest news/rumors as we head into Week 2.
Yost Reveals Infante Plan
Second baseman Omar Infante has a long history of injuries, and has averaged less than 130 games in his two seasons with the Royals. This year, manager Ned Yost is taking a cautious approach with the veteran to keep him on the field, which began on Sunday with Christian Colon starting in his place. While the plan for Infante is said to be fluid, the number of his starts likely hinges on the play of Colon, who is in line for his biggest role with the Royals in year three.
Gore Redefines Value Of Speed
Dedicating a roster spot for a base stealer/pinch runner has long been thought of as an outdated practice, but the strategy has paid off and then some for the Royals thus far. Against the Twins in extra innings, Gore wreaked havoc on the basepaths, going from first to third on a wild pickoff attempt before taking home on a bouncer in the dirt to propel K.C. to a 4-3 win. Gore's first to second time -- clocked at fast as three seconds -- simply does not afford almost any pitcher/catcher combo enough time to throw him out. Here's a more in-depth breakdown of the science behind Gore's speed.
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