Kansas City Royals

Vinnie Pasquantino is out of the lineup for the Kansas City Royals against the Los Angeles Angels Sunday. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Pasquantino will receive Sunday’s series finale off for routine rest, with Salvador Perez starting at first base and batting third against the Angels.

Cole Ragans endured a challenging outing on Saturday, surrendering seven earned runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out three over 6 1/3 innings in the Royals' 9-3 defeat to the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: This performance marks a significant deviation from his otherwise solid season, where he boasted a 4.22 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across nine starts. Despite his high strikeout rate of 10.5 K/9 and a strong 3.56 strikeout-to-walk ratio, Ragans's susceptibility to hits this game, evidenced by a .339 BABIP, inflated his ERA and could raise concerns about his consistency. Fantasy managers should monitor his next few starts closely to determine if adjustments can curb the hits and manage the damage to maintain his fantasy relevance.

Bobby Witt Jr. went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored, and two stolen bases in the Royals' 9-3 loss to the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the team's defeat, Witt Jr.'s individual performance continues to shine, especially on the base paths. His season batting average holds strong at .314, and with 15 stolen bases, he remains a significant threat in speed categories. The lack of power in this game doesn't overshadow his consistent hitting and ability to score runs, making him a valuable asset in most fantasy formats. His dual-threat capability of hitting for average and stealing bases should keep him highly relevant in fantasy lineups.

Hunter Renfroe is back in the lineup for the Kansas City Royals against the Los Angeles Angels Saturday. (Source: Kansas City Royals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Renfroe returns after sitting out Friday night for regular rest, patrolling right field and batting seventh against the Angels Saturday.

John Schreiber notched a save in the Royals' narrow 2-1 win over the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: He pitched a clean inning, allowing just one hit and no runs, without recording any strikeouts. Schreiber's latest outing, where he secured his first save of the season, underscores his role as a reliable late-inning option for the Royals. Despite a modest strikeout rate of 6.9 K/9, his excellent ERA of 0.98 and WHIP of 1.04 through 19 appearances this season suggest he can effectively suppress scoring even without overwhelming stuff. Fantasy managers should value his consistency and ability to contribute in holds and now increasingly in save situations, though his low strikeout numbers might limit his ceiling in formats heavily rewarding strikeouts.

Alec Marsh delivered a strong performance, allowing just one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out seven over 5 1/3 innings in the Royals' 2-1 win over the Angels on Friday.

Fantasy Impact: This outing continues a solid season for Marsh, who maintains a commendable 2.53 ERA and 1.03 WHIP through six starts. His ability to limit runs and maintain a low WHIP is a boon for fantasy managers, especially in formats that reward precision and efficiency. While his K/9 rate of 6.8 might not dazzle strikeout-hungry fantasy managers, his consistent performance and control, evidenced by a 2.67 strikeout-to-walk ratio, make him a reliable option in most fantasy rotations. Marsh's low BABIP of .234 suggests some luck, but his overall skill set keeps him relevant in fantasy discussions.

Adam Frazier made his presence felt in the Royals' tight 2-1 win against the Angels, delivering a key performance at the plate.

Fantasy Impact: He went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored, also drawing a walk. This game highlighted a rare power display from Frazier, whose season has been marred by a lowly .188 batting average and minimal extra-base hits. His home run, only his first of the year, along with a clutch RBI contribution, might hint at a potential uptick in his performance, but fantasy managers should remain cautious. Frazier's overall production still leaves much to be desired, and while this game could be a spark, his season-long stats suggest it's too early to count on a significant turnaround.

MJ Melendez went 3-for-4 in the Royals' narrow 2-1 win over the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: Despite not contributing to the runs or RBIs, Melendez's performance was a bright spot in a tightly contested game. This outing could be a sign of turning things around for Melendez, who has been struggling with a batting average of just .202 over 35 games this season. His ability to hit safely three times in one game might help boost his confidence and potentially kickstart a more consistent hitting streak. However, fantasy managers should remain cautious, as his season-long metrics, including a low .278 wOBA and .244 BABIP, suggest that he still has significant room for improvement.

The Royals have optioned Daniel Lynch to Triple-A Omaha. (Source: Royals on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Lynch will head back to the minor-leagues after the Royals activated Alec Marsh from the injured list. Fantasy managers should expect Lynch to return should the Royals need more depth in their rotation or bullpen.

Dairon Blanco excelled in the Royals' 10-4 triumph over the Angels, going 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, four runs scored, two RBI, and two stolen bases.

Fantasy Impact: This standout performance not only showcased his speed but also his emerging power, significantly boosting his fantasy value. With a batting average holding steady at .300 and an impressive combination of 10 stolen bases and consistent scoring ability in just 25 games, Blanco is proving to be a valuable asset in categories leagues. His ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories makes him a potential pickup for fantasy managers in need of a versatile outfielder.

Michael Wacha navigated through a shaky outing allowing two earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out six over six innings in Thursday's 10-4 victory against the Angels.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the win, Wacha's performance was far from clean, as evidenced by his high walk total, which continues to inflate his season-long WHIP to 1.44 and ERA to 5.15. His strikeout rate remains modest at 7.6 K/9, and while his FIP at 3.83 suggests some bad luck with a .336 BABIP, his control issues are a persistent concern. Fantasy managers should view Wacha as a risky play, given his inconsistency and the potential for damage to their team's WHIP and ERA.

James McArthur notched a save in the Royals' 6-4 victory over the Brewers on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: He faced the minimum in his brief appearance, throwing just three pitches to secure the game. This performance, while not flashy, was crucial in a tight contest and helps stabilize his somewhat rocky season stats, which include a 4.15 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. McArthur's ability to close games without allowing hits or walks in this outing is a positive sign, but his high BABIP (.380) and inconsistent strikeout numbers (9.3 K/9) suggest potential volatility. Fantasy managers should view him as a somewhat risky but necessary option for saves, keeping an eye on his outings for signs of improvement or further inconsistency.

Brady Singer delivered a solid performance, allowing just one earned run on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 5.1 innings in Wednesday's 6-4 win against the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: This outing continues a strong season for Singer, whose ERA slightly improved to an impressive 2.37, complemented by a 1.01 WHIP. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (9.1 K/9) and a favorable 3.07 strikeout-to-walk ratio underscores his reliability as a fantasy asset. Despite a potentially unsustainable .235 BABIP suggesting some luck, Singer's consistent performance, highlighted by his low FIP (3.50), should keep him as a recommended option in fantasy rotations.

Salvador Perez is not in the Royals lineup on Wednesday against the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: Perez gets the day off behind the plate and in the lineup for Kansas City. Freddy Fermin gets the start at catcher in his absence.

Nelson Velazquez is not in the Royals lineup on Wednesday against the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: Velazquez picked up one hit in Tuesday's loss against Milwaukee. MJ Melendez moves to left field in his absence.

Freddy Fermin is in the Royals lineup on Wednesday against the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: Fermin is behind the plate and hitting No. 8 in the lineup with Salvador Perez getting the day off. He is hitting .218 with one home run so far this season.

Seth Lugo allowed three earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five over 6.2 innings in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: Despite this less-than-stellar outing, Lugo's season has been quite impressive, boasting a 1.92 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP through eight starts. His strikeout rate remains modest at 6.3 K/9, which might concern fantasy managers looking for high strikeout totals. However, his excellent ERA and WHIP are indicators of his ability to manage games and limit damage.

Kyle Isbel is in the Royals lineup on Tuesday against the Brewers.

Fantasy Impact: Isbel is starting in center field and hitting No. 9 in the lineup. He is hitting .214 with three home runs so far this season.

Michael Massey contributed significantly to the Royals' 3-2 win over the Brewers, showcasing his power with a home run.

Fantasy Impact: Massey went 1-for-3 with a home run, one run scored, and one RBI. His performance this season has been solid, maintaining a .294 batting average with three home runs and 10 RBI over 15 games. His limited walk rate and higher strikeout rate suggest a somewhat aggressive approach at the plate, but his power numbers and wOBA (.354) indicate he can be a valuable asset in fantasy lineups, especially in leagues that value extra-base hits and home runs.

Chris Stratton earned a save in the Royals' narrow 3-2 victory over the Brewers, despite allowing two walks in his inning of work.

Fantasy Impact: While he managed to keep the Brewers scoreless, his performance was far from clean, reflecting ongoing control issues that have contributed to a less-than-stellar 5.40 ERA and 1.53 WHIP this season. Stratton's save opportunities may continue given his role, but fantasy managers should remain wary of his high WHIP and low strikeout rate. His current stats suggest he's a risky play, best suited for deeper leagues where saves are at a premium.