Ragans (1-1) took the loss Friday against the Tigers after giving up five earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eight batters across four-plus innings.
Pitching at an 18 K/9 pace typically indicates a strong performance from a pitcher, but that was just about the only positive thing Ragans had going for him Friday. He squandered an early lead by allowing an RBI single in the second inning and began pitching from behind after giving up a solo shot to Andy Ibanez in the fourth. Ragans came back out for the start of the fifth frame but was quickly pulled after allowing the first three batters to reach base, all of whom eventually came around to score. The swing-and-miss specialist now carries a 3.58 ERA following his tough outing, though he should have a good chance to bounce back during his next start against a Rockies lineup that strikes out 10.8 times per game.
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Royals' Cole Ragans: Fans 10 in win
Rotowire
Ragans (1-0) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits over 7.2 innings Sunday, striking out 10 and earning a win over Cleveland.
Ragans stumbled in the second inning, giving up an RBI double to Daniel Schneemann, who would come around to score on an error. After that, Ragans was dialed in and retired 18 of the next 19 batters he faced. He forced 20 whiffs and has generated at least 16 in three straight outings. The 27-year-old is sporting a 2.28 ERA with a terrific 34:4 K:BB through four starts. Ragans' next start is expected to be in Detroit.
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Royals' Cole Ragans: Dominates in no-decision
Rotowire
Ragans did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Twins. He allowed one run on four hits while striking out 11 across six innings.
Ragans dominated right out of the gate Tuesday, punching out nine of the first 17 batters faced and striking out the side in the third frame. His only blemish came in the fifth inning, when he gave up an RBI single. While the Twins' offense wasn't able to generate enough runs for him to earn the win, it was Ragans' second quality start in a row. The 27-year-old southpaw generated 18 whiffs and 15 first-pitch strikes, and he has logged 21 punchouts over his last two starts. Ragans' next start is slated for Sunday's series finale against the Guardians on the road, where he'll look to earn his first win of 2025.
Ragans recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed one run on five hits and two walks across five innings Wednesday in Milwaukee. He did not factor in the decision.
Jackson Chourio started the scoring with a solo homer during the first inning, but Ragans then blanked the Brewers by scattering baserunners for the next four frames. The left-hander showcased his stuff and generated 20 whiffs, but 21 foul balls drove up his pitch count and helped result in an early exit. Ragans has yet to provide much length in his first two starts of 2025, going five frames in both outings; however, he's pitched well, allowing four runs and posting a 13:4 K:BB. A home matchup with the Twins likely awaits him early next week.
Ragans did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 10-inning loss to the Guardians. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings while striking out three.
Ragans had to contend with traffic for most of his outing, as the Guardians had men on base in all but two innings. The left-hander was ultimately forced out of the game after Carlos Santana led off the sixth with a base hit. Expectations are understandably high for Ragans this year after he pitched to a 3.14 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and 223 strikeouts in 32 starts last season. He currently lines up to face the Brewers on the road in his next outing.
Manager Matt Quatraro announced Thursday that Ragans will start Opening Day against the Guardians on March 27, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
The announcement comes after Ragans surrendered two runs across 2.2 innings on 83 pitches in a Cactus League game against the Rockies on Sunday. The 27-year-old has had a bumpy spring training, but in 2024 he notched a 3.14 ERA across 186.1 innings in 32 games. This will be the ace's second Opening Day start after getting the nod in 2024.
Ragans allowed one hit and struck out six over three scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League win over the Cubs. He did not issue a walk.
The lefty was able to exact a measure of revenge against a Cubs team that rocked him for seven runs over 2.1 innings back on March 1. Ragans noted after the game he was hitting his spots and keeping hitters off balance Thursday after execution was an issue his last time out, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Ragans, the presumptive Opening Day starter for Kansas City, also mentioned that his goal this year is to be unpredictable to lefties to combat his rather surprising reverse splits from a season ago.
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