When Royals manager Ned Yost called his son, Ned IV, he started with these words: “You’re not going to believe this.”
Ned told his son that two nights earlier, Toronto pitcher Marcus Stroman had thrown 66 pitches against the Royals through seven innings. Ned IV was shocked, only to be told that Seattle’s James Paxton had gotten through seven innings Thursday night in only 57 pitches.
“It’s unbelievable,” Yost said, “but that’s our team.”
The Royals have long been known for this type of offensive style, ranking last in the majors in walk rate while being encouraged by hitting coach Dale Sveum to attack first-pitch strikes.