First it was Houston's Jake Marisnick who knocked one out at Minute Maid Park last Sunday, creating a blown save for Herrera in a game Kansas City eventually lost, 5-4. Then on Thursday, Oakland's Rajai Davis drilled a Herrera slider for a home run in the Royals' 3-1 win.
Immediately some Royals fans wondered why Herrera had been beaten twice by his third-best pitch. But actually, Herrera's slider is almost as effective as his changeup.
In 2016, opponents hit .