The Kansas City Royals' first half of the 2026 season has been a disappointment, to say the least. With a record of 38-59, they are tied for the worst mark in baseball with the Los Angeles Angels. The team has struggled to gain momentum, and their bullpen has been a significant issue, with a 5.33 ERA, the worst in baseball. The Royals' struggles have been magnified by their inability to string together quality starts, with only 10 quality starts in their last 43 games since May 26. This is a stark contrast to their strong start to the season, with 29 quality starts in their first 54 games. The offense has also been underperforming, with just two runs scored in a game despite nine hits and 10 opportunities with runners in scoring position. The Royals' struggles have been a source of frustration for the team, with second baseman Michael Massey acknowledging that they need to get better and figure out what they need to address. The bullpen has been a particular issue, with relievers like Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg struggling to find their footing. Strahm, in particular, has had a rough season, with a 7.18 ERA and a game-winning home run allowed. The Royals' struggles have been a disappointment, especially given their expectations coming into the season. The team has been in evaluation mode, with questions about who they can rely on beyond 2026 and whether they can see stronger second halves from key players like Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez. The Royals will get four needed days off as they prepare to take on the final 65 games of the season, with the hope of a reset. The attention will now turn to the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, with the team needing to answer questions about how far they are willing to go to retool the team for 2027 and what that means for the players they have under control. The Royals will need to play better and win games to put themselves in a better position for the rest of the season. It will be a challenging task, but with a fresh start and a focus on evaluation, the team will look to turn things around and improve their record.
