Michael

Wacha

Wacha, who would have become a free agent by opting out of a $16 million salary next year, is guaranteed $51 million, and the deal can top out at $72 million if the option is picked up, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Wacha is 33 and had had quite a bit of trouble staying healthy, but he’s avoided major injuries the last half-dozen years and been quite effective three seasons in a row (38-14, 3.30 ERA in 428 IP). A two-year deal seemed more appropriate here, but the Royals are getting a lower AAV with the extended pact. With Wacha back, Kansas City’s rotation is pretty well taken care of. He’ll join Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Brad Singer and then one of Kyle Wright, Alec March or maybe Kris Bubic.

Wacha gave up six hits, walked one and struck out two. Wacha allowed a run before he recorded an out in the first inning. Gleyber Torres led off the game with a double and Juan Soto drove him in with a single. In the fifth inning, Torres drove in Alex Verdugo with an RBI single. Those were the only runs scored against Wacha, who was on regular rest after pitching Game 1. After signing a two-year, $32 million contract with the Royals last offseason, Wacha has the option to opt out of the last year of his contract this offseason.

Wacha allowed three runs in four innings in a no-decision in Game 1. He’ll be pitching with four days of rest on Thursday.

Wacha was pulled in the fifth after he walked Gleyber Torres. He ended walking three in the contest while also giving up four hits, but the only runs he allowed while in the game were on a two-run homer by Gleyber Torres. Wacha threw just 70 pitches, so he should be available in Game 4 or Game 5 — if necessary — against New York next week.

Three of those runs came in the third inning on a Luis Garcia Jr. homer that tied the game at 4-4. The right-hander only struck out two against one walk in a disappointing end to what was a very strong regular season for Wacha. He finishes with a 3.36 ERA, 145/45 K/BB and 13-8 record over 166 2/3 innings. If the Royals aren’t able to hold on for a playoff spot, Wacha will pitch at or near the top of their rotation to begin 2025.

Wacha struck out five in the start while allowing six hits and one walk. The 33-year-old wasn’t nearly as good as he was Saturday against the Pirates, but he deserved better than a loss in this one. Unfortunately the Royals offense sans Bobby WItt Jr. is “going through it” right now, so he falls to 13-8 on the season. Wacha will look to lower his 3.28 ERA Thursday when he faces a very beatable Washington lineup.

Wacha was excellent on Saturday, holding the Pirates scoreless through four innings before Oneil Cruz drove in a run with a base hit in the fifth. Wacha would end his day after five frames with just the one run allowed, striking out eight batters. The 33-year-old right-hander will take a 3.29 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and a 138/43 K/BB ratio across 156 innings into a start against the Giants in Kansas City on Friday.

Wacha’s fantastic season rolled on with his dominant outing here. This was his 11th straight start where he used his changeup as his primary pitch and it was outstanding with 12 swings-and-misses. He did a great job of locating it just beneath the strike zone and the Twins never had an answer for it. He’s scheduled to face the Pirates in Pittsburgh next time out.

Wacha gave up five hits, walked one and struck out three. It’s Wacha’s first loss since June 22nd. He had won seven straight decisions entering play Monday. Wacha is 11-7 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 123 strikeouts in 144 innings on the season. The 33-year-old right-hander is set to face the Twins at home this weekend.

He struck out seven and walked none, and if he had been taken out after six, this would have been a gem. Alas, the Royals kept him for the seventh in to face the top of the order a fourth time. He gave up a homer to Bo Naylor and then singles to Steven Kwan and Andrés Giménez. Both runners came around to score off Lucas Erceg. Wacha will face the Guardians again, this time in Cleveland, in his next start.