After the high five, long-ball weekend—we may just find that tonight is a tougher outing. Royals right-handed rookie pitcher Jake Junis was recalled from AAA Omaha today to start the series against Oakland’s Jharel Cotton, 5-9 with a 5.72 ERA. Junis is replacing injured Trevor Cahill. Junis last pitched for the Royals on August 6th, going 8 innings and only giving up one run on four hits. Junis returned to AAA and did not pitch last week so he is well-rested.
Cotton is coming off a tough loss to the Mariners on August 9th where he gave up 6 runs in 6 innings, giving up 8 hits—three of them homeruns. Redemption time. Since being reinstated from the disabled list on July 30th, Cotton is 0-1 with an 8.59 ERA in his three games since July 30th.
Please see Dani Baker-Gillman’s series preview at https://www.athleticsnation.com/2017/8/14/16146260/athletics-vs-royals-royal-pains.
