Daniel

Lynch IV

We assumed Erceg would be down today after throwing 32 pitches and giving up three runs with a five-run lead in Sunday’s game. The Royals had other ideas. To be fair, Erceg didn’t give up one hard-hit ball today, Two of the singles actually left the bat at less than 40 mph, and the lone extra-base hit, a double from Jazz Chisholm Jr., might have been handled by a better first baseman than Salvador Perez (he’d just replaced Vinnie Pasquantino after Pasquantino was removed for a pinch-runner). With any luck, this probably would have been a clean inning for Erceg. Still, Erceg just isn’t a very good reliever at the moment, what with his 18/13 K/BB in 21 1/3 innings. Daniel Lynch IV, who worked a scoreless eighth today, might be asked to take over in the ninth for now.

Lynch struck out three of the four. Lynch was only the choice to close today because both Lucas Erceg and Matt Strahm had pitched the last two days, but he’s been the Royals’ best reliever this season. He still might wind up being interesting in fantasy leagues if Carlos Estévez fails to return to form.

Erceg walked Gunnar Henderson on seven pitches, only to pick him off afterwards. Another walk and a groundout followed. Facing Pete Alonso, Erceg got ahead 1-2 but walked him after a couple of borderline check-swings weren’t called. Samuel Basallo then singled to tie the game. Erceg’s stuff is down a notch this year, but he actually had great velocity tonight, throwing 1-1.5 mph than his season averages. Still, he certainly can’t afford to walk batters like this when he’s just not getting many strikeouts. This might open the door for Matt Strahm and/or Daniel Lynch IV to receive save chances.

The former starter had a solid year out of the bullpen in Kansas City, pitching to a 3.06 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 45/25 K/BB ratio in 67 2/3 innings. The command will need to get better if Lynch is going to repeat that in 2026, but there is some upside with the 29-year-old in the bullpen.

Lynch returns to Kansas City’s bullpen mix following a one-month absence due to nerve irritation in his left elbow. The 28-year-old former starter has posted a respectable 2.59 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 29/22 K/BB ratio across 41 2/3 innings (39 appearances) this season.

Lynch has been out since early July recovering from nerve irritation in his left elbow. The 28-year-old southpaw should be ready to rejoin Kansas City’s bullpen mix at some point in early August.

No word yet on how much time Lynch will wind up missing. The 28-year-old lefty has compiled a respectable 2.59 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 29/22 K/BB ratio across 41 2/3 innings (39 appearances) this season out of Kansas City’s bullpen.

The 28-year-old southpaw punched out four batters on the night while issuing one walk. The lone blemish on his night came on a solo homer off the bat of Tyler Stephenson in the second inning. Lynch got six swings and misses on 42 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 29 percent. He has been terrific for the Royals this season, registering a 1.75 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 16/13 K/BB ratio over 25 2/3 innings in his first 23 appearances.

Lynch was brought into a tie game in the ninth and then replaced after throwing 21 pitches to get one out. Steven Cruz went on to surrender a walkoff single afterwards. With a 1.57 ERA in 23 innings, Lynch has been a very valuable member of the Royals pen to date. However, that the ERA comes with a 12/12 K/BB doesn’t seem to bode very well.

This will amount to a bullpen game for the Royals with both Seth Lugo (finger) and Cole Ragans (groin) on the injured list. Lynch has been good this season, but he hasn’t pitched a full inning of relief since May 9 and hasn’t pitched two innings or more since May 3, so it’s highly unlikely he gives the Royals more than two innings on Wednesday.