Royals Recap

Welcome to another episode of Big Dill Sports! I’m Dillon, your host, and today we’re diving into the latest matchup that took place on May 16, 2025, where the Kansas City Royals took on the St. Louis Cardinals at Kauffman Stadium. If you're a Royals fan, this one might have been a bit tough to watch as the Cardinals claimed victory with a 10-3 win. But, as always, there’s plenty to break down and some exciting moments to highlight!

Let's kick things off with the game breakdown. Under the Friday night lights, the energy was palpable with over 28,000 fans filling Kauffman Stadium. The action started in the first inning with some solid defensive play from Nolan Arenado, who pulled off a slick backhanded grab that stopped Bobby Witt Jr. from reaching base.

Moving on to the second inning, things started heating up for the Cardinals. They managed to get on the board first, thanks to a wild pitch by KC’s Cole Ragans. However, Ragans didn’t let his guard down, striking out Pedro Pagés before the inning's end. Meanwhile, St. Louis’ Andre Pallante proved tough on the mound, striking out Michael Massey.

By the fifth inning, the Royals were fighting back. Kyle Isbel seized the opportunity when a balk called on the Cardinals allowed him to score, cutting their lead to 3-2. But things slipped away in the sixth inning. Pedro Pagés started a momentum swing with a single that brought a run home, followed by Iván Herrera’s double that cleared the bases, driving in three more. St. Louis took control with a commanding lead.

In the eighth inning, Royals’ Salvador Perez gave fans something to cheer about with his RBI single to left field, clocking an impressive 114.8 mph exit velocity, and bringing Bobby Witt Jr. across the plate. But despite these efforts, the Cardinals’ bats stayed hot. Brendan Donovan notably contributed with three hits and an RBI.

Let’s shift to our player spotlight. Bobby Witt Jr. was definitely a big dill out there, even amidst a tough game. His hustle never wavered; he managed to steal his 15th base of the season, scored a run, and currently maintains a respectable .312 batting average. It’s performances like these that keep him as one of the big deals in the Royals lineup.

Shining the light on Salvador Perez, his ability to add an RBI to the board shows why he’s projected to stay a strong force in the lineup. And with Vinnie Pasquantino leading the charge in batting, the Royals certainly have key players making waves.

Unfortunately, Cole Ragans didn’t get to finish the game as planned, removed due to injury. Coming into this matchup, Ragans was known for his strikeout skills, indeed ranked high by THE BAT projection system. His absence will be felt, but the silver lining for the Royals is the depth they possess in their pitching squad. Folks like Kris Bubic, who leads the team in wins and ERA, and Carlos Estevez, who tops in saves, remain steady contributors.

Unfortunately, the Royals face a new challenge on the mound with Seth Lugo sidelined due to inflammation, making way for Noah Cameron to snag a spot start in Saturday's game. The team’s standing now sits at 25-21, placing them in 4th in the AL Central. Not exactly where we want to be, but it’s a long season, and a chance for fresh faces like Cameron spells opportunity.

A special mention to the stadium atmosphere—it’s always something else at Kauffman. Yet, with the stadium’s expansive right field proving challenging for left-handed hitters, one can understand why home runs don’t come easy.

Before we wrap up, remember, it's a long haul season, and every player on the roster has the potential to be the next big dill in Big Dill Sports. Good or bad, each game is a step on the journey. That’s all for this episode, folks. Catch you next time as we continue to track the Royals' march through the season. Stay sporty, and as always, keep it big, keep it dill.