Royals vs Tigers, August 21 live discussion

KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 06: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron (65) throws a warmup pitch before a MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals on July 06, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

For a few weeks now, I have tied my enjoyment of Royals games to two factors. If Jac Caglianone has a good game, I’m happy. But also if Noah Cameron pitches well, I’m happy. Sure, there are lots of other fun players, lots of other important players, and wins are always nice. But these are the two I chose to focus on. And boy has it paid off.

Since July 24, no pitcher has a higher fWAR. No pitcher has thrown more innings. Only four starters have a lower ERA, only two have a lower xERA, and only three have a lower FIP. None have a lower FIP. He’s tied for 19th in K-BB%. Of the pitchers with a lower ERA, none have a lower SIERA. Only one of them is even close. Noah Cameron probably isn’t an ace long-term, but for a month, he’s pitched like one all the same.

Unfortunately, one of those pitchers who does edge out Noah in a few stats is tonight’s opposing starter, Troy Melton. That said, Melton has done it in less than 2/3 the innings with a lower strikeout rate, a higher walk rate, and more total hits – to say nothing of the rate.

Melton has faced the Royals once this year, in the game before Cameron’s bulk relief appearance that started this stretch. In that game, he went five innings and allowed two runs. The Tigers ultimately picked up the win thanks to another crummy day for the bullpen, but he was outdueled in that one by Randy Dobnak. It should be Noah’s turn now.

Oh, it’s also Player’s Weekend. So there will be fun bats all over the place. Can the Royals get a story like 2024 Dairon Blanco?

Lineups

The Royals put Maikel Garcia back on the IL and demoted Carlos Duran back to Omaha. Matthew Lugo and Jose Cuas take their spots on the roster. Lugo will start on the bench for tonight, with Nick Loftin heading back to third, where he played for most of the time Garcia was out. But at least Jac Caglianone is back in the lineup! I mentioned on the podcast that I’d love to see Noah come up with the no-hitter this time out, and I think Jac Caglianone should go ahead and have his first career three-homer game, too. Am I asking for too much?