For the last few weeks, the Royals have given fans a pretty simple formula for enjoying the ride: Jac Caglianone does something good, and Noah Cameron deals. Hit both in the same night, and it’s been hard not to walk away happy.
Cameron’s run has been more than just a nice stretch. Since July 24, no pitcher has piled up more fWAR.
No one has thrown more innings. Only four starters have posted a lower ERA, only two have beaten his xERA, and only three have a better FIP.
Nobody has a lower FIP. He’s tied for 19th in K-BB%, and among the pitchers with a lower ERA, none has a lower SIERA.
Only one is even close. He may not look like a long-term ace, but over the past month, he’s pitched like one.
The challenge tonight comes from the other dugout, where Troy Melton brings his own strong numbers into the matchup. He has actually edged Cameron in a few categories, but he’s done it in less than two-thirds of the innings. His strikeout rate is lower, his walk rate is higher, and he has allowed more total hits, along with more on a rate basis.
Melton has already seen the Royals once this season. That came in the game before Cameron’s bulk relief outing that kicked off this stretch.
In that start, Melton worked five innings and gave up two runs. Detroit still won, thanks to another rough outing from the bullpen, but Melton was outpitched that night by Randy Dobnak.
Now the Royals get another shot at him, with Cameron lined up to answer.
It’s also Player’s Weekend, which means the bats should be fun across the board. The Royals will be hoping that this is the kind of night where another name jumps out and gives them a story like 2024 Dairon Blanco.
In Other News...
Royals Fans Just Got A Tough Reminder About Scott Barlow
Scott Barlows return to the Royals organization has ended much the way his 2025 season has gone overall: without much momentum. After signing a minor league deal in early July, Barlow was released by Kansas Citys Triple-A affiliate following a stretch in which he continued to battle both command and velocity, the same issues that have followed him through stops with the Athletics and the Royals top farm team.
For Royals fans, it is a tough reminder of how quickly a once-trusted arm can lose his footing. Barlow still has a path back to a contender, though, since a team in the playoff race could still take a chance on him with another minor league deal before the postseason eligibility deadline. [Read more 🡒]
Royals May Regret Letting This Veteran Arm Get Away
Eli Morgans next stop is within the Yankees system, where the veteran right-hander has signed a minor league deal and will report to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. For Kansas City, it is another reminder of how quickly bullpen depth can disappear in late-season roster churn, especially when a pitcher with major league experience gets through the waiver process and reaches the open market.
Morgan elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the Royals, and New York is bringing him in as extra pitching insurance with the postseason approaching. He has already been used in the majors several times this season, which is exactly the kind of practical experience contenders tend to value this time of year, and it leaves Kansas City wondering whether it let a useful arm slip away. [Read more 🡒]
Royals Suddenly Have A New Infield Problem To Solve
Maikel Garcias latest setback gives the Royals another infield wrinkle to manage, and it comes at a time when they were already trying to keep the lineup and roster moving with as little disruption as possible. Garcia landed back on the Injured List after suffering a hamstring strain while rounding third base, a frustrating turn for a player the club had been counting on to provide stability around the infield.
Matthew Lugo was brought up from Omaha to fill Garcias roster spot, while the Royals also made a pitching shuffle by optioning Carlos Durn and recalling Jose Cuas. For a club trying to stay flexible, the moves make sense on paper, but Garcias absence leaves another question hanging over how Kansas City will piece together the infield in the near term. [Read more 🡒]