Royals at Guardians, August 29 live discussion

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 12: Umpire Bill Miller #26 checks the hands of Daniel Lynch IV #41 of the Kansas City Royals during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

During this road trip, the Royals demoted Mason Black back to the minor leagues. This is relevant because in every prior start for Daniel Lynch IV, affectionately known as Danny Drips, Mason Black has stood ready to enter the game at nearly a moment’s notice and pitch multiple innings. This was to cover for the fact that Lynch has been working his way, slowly, back into starter form. Tonight will be Danny’s first start without the backup. He has to try to cover the innings, whether he has the stuff, the stamina, or neither. And that could be terrifying for Royals fans.

The Guardians, fortunately, don’t have much of an offense. They’ve been much better in August, but two of their three best hitters this month are left-handed, a class that Lynch has traditionally done much better against. The one caveat there is that their hottest hitter, rookie Chase DeLauter, has reverse splits this season. So Lynch will have to watch out for him.

The Guardians will counter with former Royal Foster Griffin. Griffin, as you’ll recall from when the Royals faced him earlier this year while he was with the Nationals, spent three years in NPB and came back a new man. That said, he’s not been nearly as good with the Guardians in his four starts with them. He’s walked more, gave up more home runs, and his ERA is a full run higher because of it. He pitched six innings of one-run ball against the Royals for the Nats, but if he has lost something since then, perhaps they can get to him this time.*

Funnily enough, the Royals had a real shot to come back against the Nats’ bullpen in that game, but Lynch allowed three runs in hisrelief appearance and ended that dream.

Lineups

Isaac Collins will get his second start at the keystone for the Royals; he looked pretty good there earlier this week. Matthew Lugo will get his first start for the Royals, playing in left field. One thing Griffin didn’t have to deal with in his last start against the Royals was the red-hot trio of Carter Jensen, Bobby Witt. Jr., and Jac Caglianone that currently stands ready at the top of the lineup to punish him for any missed pitches.