Royals pitchers have not been good this year, there is no getting around that. Collectively, they have issued the second-most walks in all of baseball while throwing the fourth-fewest strikeouts. Despite an emphasis on first-pitch strikes, they are dead last in baseball in the category. When pitchers fall behind in the count, they become much more hittable. Opponents are hitting .294/.415/.478 against Royals pitchers after starting off on a 1-0 count, the second-worst line in baseball in those situations.
But the umpires behind the plate have not helped out, and in fact, have significantly cost Royals pitchers this year.