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Atlanta Braves: Takeaways from Tuesday’s Tough Loss to the Royals

By Steven Teal

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 23: Pitcher Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Kansas City Royals at SunTrust Park on July 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 23: Pitcher Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Kansas City Royals at SunTrust Park on July 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 23: Pitcher Danny Duffy #41 of the Kansas City Royals (right) laughs with pitcher Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Atlanta Braves at the end of the fifth inning after Keuchel led off the inning with a stand up double during the game at SunTrust Park on July 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 23: Pitcher Danny Duffy #41 of the Kansas City Royals (right) laughs with pitcher Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Atlanta Braves at the end of the fifth inning after Keuchel led off the inning with a stand up double during the game at SunTrust Park on July 23, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

3. Keuchel and Duffy Go Toe-to-Toe

Baseball fans were treated to not one but two incredible pitching performances on Tuesday evening. Dallas Keuchel took to the mound for Atlanta and had his best start of the 2019 season thus far.

Danny Duffy was equally impressive for the Kansas City Royals. There were no pitches for the Braves hitters to eliminate and he had them off balance through 6 innings. His one blemish came in the first inning after Josh Donaldson doubled in a run.

Duffy finished the game after 6 innings allowing just 1 earned run on 5 hits with 1 walk and 11 strikeouts. That is an incredible night on the mound for a team that has struggled like the Royals.

However, Keuchel was not to be outdone. His struggles came with the top of the Royals order but the bottom half of the order had no answer for Keuchel. He had tons of movement on his pitches and was working both sides of the plate all night.

Alex Gordon was a thorn in his side, however, as he was responsible for both runs the Royals scored off of Keuchel. Gordon drove in a run after a walk was issued to Whit Merrifield in the top of the 4th inning.

Gordon followed that up with a solo homer on a 3-2 count in the top of the 6th inning. Other than that Keuchel was practically untouchable. He hit the corners of the plate all night long and it was incredibly encouraging to see.

Keuchel finished 6 innings of work allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits with 2 walks and 12 strikeouts. This was his first game with double-digit strikeouts since 2015 and that was the year he won the AL Cy Young Award.

I was extremely encouraged by what I saw from Dallas Keuchel on Tuesday night. He showed resilience and wasn’t afraid to go after guys.

I know what you’re thinking, “Steven, it was against the Royals. They’re a terrible team. Of course, he struck out 12 of them”.

I’d say you’re half right about that. It’s partially due to the Royals offensive struggles but more due to the fact that Keuchel felt good last night. I think those pitches would have been effective against any team in the majors, and in fact, the Royals rank 1th in the majors – right in the middle – in terms of team strikeout percentage.

His pitches had the most depth I’ve seen on them this year and for the kind of pitcher he is, that is extremely important. He had excellent control of his cutter and that made his sinker all the more effective.

If Keuchel can continue to improve and pitch the way he did Tuesday night. I think the Braves might need to consider trying to extend Keuchel before the season ends.

He clearly wants to be in Atlanta and has the right kind of attitude for this clubhouse.

I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Braves uniform in 2020.

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