On Friday, the Kansas City Royals got almost exactly what they had expected from Johnny Cueto. Facing the desiccated carcass of the Detroit Tigers, Cueto allowed only two earned runs on eight hits and a walk as he pitched into the eighth inning. It was the type of performance that one expected from a player who was brought to solidify the Royals starting rotation as they head towards the postseason.
This start was especially striking as it came on the heels of what may have been the worst five game stretch of Cueto’s career.