MLB: Royals aim for sweep behind strong start from Lugo

Amid ongoing health concerns within Kansas City's pitching rotation, veteran right-hander Seth Lugo continues to provide stability for the Royals.

Lugo will look to deliver another strong home start as Kansas City aims for a three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday. He will also try to extend his recent dominance against San Francisco, a team he has consistently pitched well against since returning to a full-time starting role.

Lugo enters the game with a 3-6 record and a 4.39 ERA. Although he could finish with his first losing season in five years as a primarily full-time starter, the 36-year-old remains a reliable option for the Royals, making his team-leading 21st start of the season. Seven of his 11 quality starts have come in 11 home appearances.

His performance has also made him a possible trade target ahead of the deadline. However, Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said the team is not actively shopping Lugo or fellow veteran starter Michael Wacha, though Kansas City would consider any strong offers.

"I think the general thought is it's going to have to be very enticing for us, because (Lugo and Wacha), we're going to count on," Picollo said.

Lugo has recorded five quality starts while posting a 2-2 record with a 2.94 ERA in his last six home outings. His only non-quality start during that span came on June 10, when he exited in the fourth inning against Texas after being struck in the forehead by a line drive.

In his most recent outing on Friday, Lugo allowed two runs, one earned, over six innings as Kansas City defeated the San Diego Padres 7-6 in 10 innings at home.

Since becoming a full-time starter in 2023, Lugo is 2-1 with a 1.01 ERA in four starts against the Giants. His latest appearance against San Francisco came in 2024, when he gave up two runs over seven innings in Kansas City.

The Royals have won four of five games since the All-Star break during a six-game homestand, receiving quality starts from Wacha and Luinder Avila in back-to-back one-run victories.

"We got an opportunity for a sweep," Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said after collecting two hits and an RBI in Tuesday's 3-2 win. "Gotta try to take it the best we can."

The Giants, meanwhile, have struggled during their six-game road trip, scoring 11 runs while collecting 23 hits and going 4-for-25 with runners in scoring position during a four-game losing streak.

"You got to control what you can control," Giants manager Tony Vitello said.

San Francisco's Luis Arraez, one of the league leaders in batting average at .323, is expected to return to the lineup after receiving a rest day Tuesday. He is 1-for-5 in his career against Lugo.

Rafael Devers has had more success against Lugo, going 4-for-8 with two home runs.

The Giants will send right-hander Landen Roupp to the mound. Roupp is 7-8 with a 3.98 ERA and has recorded four quality starts in his last five appearances. He has allowed just one run over 15 innings while going 2-0 in July.

Roupp allowed two hits over seven innings in San Francisco's 7-0 win over Seattle on Friday. His only previous start against Kansas City came in 2024, when he allowed three hits and three walks over five innings in the Giants' 9-0 victory at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals could be without star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who may miss a second consecutive game due to back tightness. Jac Caglianone is also questionable after leaving Tuesday's game with a sore right shoulder.

"Just landed hard," Caglianone told reporters. "But I should be good."

Catcher Salvador Perez, who is one home run away from tying George Brett's franchise record of 317 career homers, was hit on the wrist by a pitch Tuesday but remained in the game. He is 0-for-2 against Roupp.

-Field Level Media/Reuters