\n
Baltimore Orioles Look to Extend Kansas City Royals\u2019 Losing Streak in Monday Night Series Opener<\/h1>\n
The Baltimore Orioles<\/strong> and Kansas City Royals<\/strong> enter Monday night\u2019s series opener in very different states of form, as Baltimore aims to stabilize its recent slump while Kansas City looks to stop a rapidly growing losing streak.<\/p>\nDespite recent struggles, the Orioles still have a chance to turn things around by extending the Royals\u2019 losing streak to eight consecutive games<\/strong> in the opening matchup of their three-game series.<\/p>\n
\nOrioles Struggling After Strong Early-April Stretch<\/h2>\n
Baltimore\u2019s season has taken a noticeable downturn after a strong start to April. The Orioles won six of seven games from April 6\u201313 but have since dropped five of their last six contests.<\/p>\n
Offensively, the team has cooled significantly, scoring just 22 runs over the last six games<\/strong>. Their most recent series against Cleveland highlighted those struggles, as Baltimore hit only .157 as a team<\/strong>, went 5-for-26 with runners in scoring position<\/strong>, and struck out 48 times<\/strong> across four games.<\/p>\nOutfielder Taylor Ward<\/strong>, who provided one of the few bright spots with a three-run home run in Sunday\u2019s 8-4 loss, acknowledged the team\u2019s need for improvement.<\/p>\n\u201cWe all need to look in the mirror and really examine what we did out there,\u201d Ward said. \u201cWe\u2019ve just got to make adjustments and get back on track.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the struggles, Ward has also been fighting consistency issues, going just 7-for-36 over his last nine games<\/strong>. Meanwhile, slugger Pete Alonso<\/strong> has also cooled, hitting 4-for-21 with eight strikeouts<\/strong> over his last six appearances.<\/p>\n
\nInjuries Adding Pressure to Baltimore\u2019s Lineup<\/h2>\n
The Orioles\u2019 offensive inconsistency has been compounded by injuries to key players.<\/p>\n
\n- Adley Rutschman<\/strong> is dealing with left ankle inflammation<\/li>\n
- Tyler O\u2019Neill<\/strong> is recovering from a concussion<\/li>\n
- Jackson Holliday<\/strong> remains sidelined but is currently on a rehab assignment for right wrist soreness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These absences have limited Baltimore\u2019s depth and contributed to their recent offensive drop-off.<\/p>\n
\nRoyals on Worst Losing Streak Since 2024<\/h2>\n
![\"Henderson](\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Dkl_VWQbnTRkZGNelPdFfQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTI0MDA7aD0xNjAwO2NmPXdlYnA-\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cp_sports_913\/2cfc2df5bb3242562216f80f094ee09b\")
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While Baltimore has struggled, Kansas City\u2019s situation is even more severe. The Royals have lost seven straight games<\/strong>, their longest losing streak since 2024, and have been outscored 44-22 during that span<\/strong>.<\/p>\nKansas City\u2019s recent road trip was especially damaging, as they were swept in six games against Detroit and the New York Yankees. During that stretch, the Royals posted a combined:<\/p>\n
\n- Team batting average of .208<\/strong><\/li>\n
- 51 strikeouts<\/strong><\/li>\n
- 6.66 ERA<\/strong><\/li>\n
- 33 walks allowed<\/strong><\/li>\n
- 11 home runs surrendered<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Manager Matt Quatraro<\/strong> expressed frustration with the team\u2019s performance but emphasized accountability.<\/p>\n\u201cEverybody is frustrated. Nobody wants to have a start like this,\u201d Quatraro said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to play better on the field. That\u2019s where you\u2019re measured in the big leagues.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nSeth Lugo Anchors Royals Rotation<\/h2>\n
Despite Kansas City\u2019s struggles, veteran right-hander Seth Lugo<\/strong> has been one of the few consistent bright spots.<\/p>\nLugo enters Monday\u2019s start with a 1-1 record and a 1.48 ERA<\/strong>, having allowed just four earned runs over his first 24.1 innings of the season. He has also limited opponents to 18 hits and six walks while maintaining strong command.<\/p>\nIn his most recent outing, Lugo pitched 6 2\/3 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts and no walks, but received little offensive support in a 2-1 loss to Detroit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking quick and filling up the zone is going to help me do what I want to do out there,\u201d Lugo said.<\/p>\n
He has also performed well historically against Baltimore, holding a 2.93 ERA in four career appearances<\/strong> versus the Orioles.<\/p>\nHowever, run support remains a major issue, as Kansas City has provided just one run across Lugo\u2019s last two starts.<\/p>\n
\nOrioles Starter Kyle Bradish Looks for Consistency<\/h2>\n
Baltimore will counter with right-hander Kyle Bradish<\/strong>, who has experienced an up-and-down start to the 2026 season.<\/p>\nBradish enters the game with a 1-2 record and a 5.49 ERA<\/strong>, alternating strong and inconsistent performances across his first four starts.<\/p>\nHe last pitched against Arizona, allowing four runs over six innings in a game the Orioles eventually lost 8-5 in extra innings. Prior to that, he delivered a solid outing against the Chicago White Sox, giving up just two earned runs in five innings of a 5-3 win.<\/p>\n
This matchup will mark Bradish\u2019s first career appearance against the Kansas City Royals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nKey Players to Watch<\/h2>\nBaltimore Orioles<\/h3>\n\n- Taylor Ward<\/strong> \u2013 Power bat capable of changing momentum<\/li>\n
- Pete Alonso<\/strong> \u2013 Searching for consistency after recent struggles<\/li>\n
- Adley Rutschman (injured)<\/strong> \u2013 Potential return could stabilize lineup<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Kansas City Royals<\/h3>\n\n- Bobby Witt Jr.<\/strong> \u2013 Hitting .311 lifetime vs. Orioles with five home runs<\/li>\n
- Maikel Garcia<\/strong> \u2013 Struggling recently, just 3-for-28 over last seven games<\/li>\n
- Seth Lugo<\/strong> \u2013 Elite early-season form despite lack of run support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nSeries Outlook<\/h2>\n
Both teams enter this matchup desperate to reverse negative trends. The Orioles are trying to rediscover early-season offensive form, while the Royals are attempting to snap a frustrating seven-game losing streak.<\/p>\n
With inconsistent pitching, slumping offenses, and key injuries on both sides, Monday night\u2019s opener could play a major role in setting the tone for the remainder of the series.<\/p>\n
One thing is clear: something has to give<\/strong> as two struggling teams collide in Kansas City.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Baltimore Orioles Look to Extend Kansas City Royals\u2019 Losing Streak in Monday Night Series Opener The Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals enter Monday night\u2019s series opener… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":178522,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-178507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n
Orioles vs Royals: Something has to give as both teams skid into a high-pressure showdown \u26be\ud83d\udd25 Two clubs struggling to find consistency meet at the same crossroads, where every inning suddenly carries extra weight. The Orioles and Royals aren\u2019t just chasing a win\u2014they\u2019re trying to stop the momentum slide that has defined their recent stretch. In a game like this, it\u2019s not about records or expectations anymore\u2014it\u2019s about who can reset first and take control when everything feels unstable. One team walks away rebuilt, the other sinks deeper into frustration. - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=178507\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Orioles vs Royals: Something has to give as both teams skid into a high-pressure showdown \u26be\ud83d\udd25 Two clubs struggling to find consistency meet at the same crossroads, where every inning suddenly carries extra weight. The Orioles and Royals aren\u2019t just chasing a win\u2014they\u2019re trying to stop the momentum slide that has defined their recent stretch. In a game like this, it\u2019s not about records or expectations anymore\u2014it\u2019s about who can reset first and take control when everything feels unstable. 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