Game thread LII – Mariners at Royals
Can we just turn the season off and on again?
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 22: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals hits a single against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on May 22, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images Well, the Royals won’t be getting a series sweep against the Mariners this time. But perhaps they could still win the series and begin to right the ship that is their rapidly sinking season.
If they can do it, a lot will depend on the offense finally getting going again. But it will also depend on Stephen Kolek pitching to his highest Royals potential for the eighth time in nine starts. In his last start out against the Cardinals, he once again became the guy the Royals had seen in six straight starts before the disastrous White Sox series.
He didn’t generate swing and miss, but he just kept getting outs. What would be even better is if he could take a page out of last year’s efforts and pitch deep into the game, allowing an inconsistent bullpen that has suffered injuries to some of its best to cover as little of the game as possible. Kolek made a start against the Mariners last year and went 7.
1 innings of 2-run ball with 8 strikeouts and only 1 walk. Outside the complete game shutout against the Rockies in his second career start, it was the best he’s ever pitched. The Royals might need him to be even better.