It’s not every day you get to blend the high-octane actions of NFL with the coziness of MLB. But just imagine, what if, for one afternoon, football’s finest face some fireballs? Well, picture the roar of the crowd with the ball in hand isn’t a spiral. It’s a fastball, gripped by none other than the Royals’ owner, Patrick Mahomes!
Yes, we are talking about the cannon-armed quarterback, lighting up NFL every Sunday – the face of the Kansas City Chiefs. But here’s the twist: He is also a minority owner of the Royals. His roots in baseball run deeper than most recall. Before he was slinging touchdowns, Mahomes was a two-sport prodigy, and his father, Pat Mahomes Sr., spent over a decade on major league mounds.
So what if, for a day, NFL’s most electrifying playmaker dusted off his glove and took the bump at Kauffman Stadium? What if he tried his hand at taming the diamond again? Well, the same questions were asked of the Royals’ pitcher Cole Ragans. But the response was enough to smash any such hopes with Mahomes!
To the question of “if Mahomes would be able to get a hit on him in 10 at-bats,” Ragans replied, “He hasn’t swung a bat in a long time, so I’m gonna say zero.” A brutal gut punch on the face of the hopefuls during his interview with Up & Adams.
Cole Ragans also mentioned he’s eagerly looking forward to the day Mahomes and his NFL mate, Travis Kelce, take a few swings in batting practice before a Royals game. So yes, he is equally excited to see a few NFL stars at the diamond parks. It’s a fun concept to entertain, though Cole Ragans likely has a point.
Mahomes has been laser-focused on football for so long, it’s hard to imagine him making solid contact, even in a casual batting session. So, managing a simple base hit might be more of a challenge, especially for a non-regular in MLB. Remember NBA legend, Michael Jordan, who once tried and never made it past Double-A.
Still, there’s something irresistible about picturing Mahomes back on the diamond. After all, he was the 37th-round draft pick to the Detroit Tigers in 2014, and was successful as a hitter and pitcher in high school. But now, being an NFL star, it’s a playful what-if scenario that blends the thrill of pro football with the charm of the ballpark, showing just how fun it is to imagine the boundaries between sports blurring, even if only for a moment.
However, would Ragans be confident in the same way about the Royals’ journey this year?
The Royals and inconsistencies go hand-in-hand
Currently, the Royals hold a 25–21 record, placing them fourth in the AL Central division, trailing the Tigers on top by five games. Well, you might not consider this record poor, but the team’s performance has been inconsistent, particularly on offense.
The Royals’ offense has been underwhelming this season. They’ve scored the third-fewest runs in MLB, ahead of only the White Sox and Rockies. Their team OPS is just .660, indicating a lack of power and on-base ability across the lineup. Moreover, in clutch situations, the team is hitting .363, which makes them the 26th-ranked club in the league currently.
Now, that’s nothing to boast about.
The Royals recently had a seven-game winning streak, but it was halted by a 10–1 loss to the Red Sox, highlighting their offensive inconsistencies. In their latest game, they suffered a 10–3 defeat to the Cardinals, further emphasizing their struggles against competitive teams.
True that despite these challenges, the Royals still have a good chance of making the postseason. Their pitching staff has been a bright spot, keeping them competitive in games. The team is now 2nd in the league in terms of ERA (3.16). And their star pitcher, Ragans, is currently standing with a 4.53 ERA. Even if that sounds unimpressive, he has already had 72 SOs to his name this season.
Ragans’ game against the White Sox was nothing but extraordinary. In the 3-0 victory over the White Sox, he delivered five scoreless innings, striking out 11 batters, tying his season high. Now that’s what a premium pitcher looks like!
No wonder, Cole Ragans is confident.
But unless the offense improves, particularly in clutch situations, the Royals’ postseason aspirations may be in jeopardy. No matter what, one thing’s guaranteed: You will be on the edge of your seats as the season unfolds for the team.
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