Royals POSTCAST: Royals WIN, 9-2 | Kansas City Finishes Season at 82-80 with Win Over Athletics

Royals POSTCAST: Royals WIN, 9-2 | Kansas City Finishes Season at 82-80 with Win Over Athletics

[Music] This is the Royals Post Cast, your instant game reaction for the Kansas City Royals, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day. Welcome in to the final edition of the Royals Postcast here in 2025. your go-to spot for live postgame reaction to Royals games this season. I’m your host, Chance Lebo, and you can follow me on Twitter. My Twitter handle is right by the name tag here on the live stream. Uh if you are here live, I appreciate you for being here. I know that there obviously is a pretty big football game going on right now in Kansas City. Um the Chiefs or the uh the Royals and uh and athletics season finale might not have been what everybody had their full attention on, but if you’re here, I appreciate you for being here. Be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel if you are new. If you are new, well, it’s really unfortunate that you’re here for the last game of the season. Uh we do these after pretty much every game during the regular season. This is the last one of this year. And uh very uh very sad to be uh discontinuing this until April, but appreciate you all for being here. Uh and if you are not here live, if you joined us at any point live this year, I just appreciate your support throughout the entire season. All right, let’s get into it. This was a really fun game. The Royals win 9-2. Cole Reagan’s was spectacular. Uh, a big win for the Royals, uh, putting them at 82 and 80. Um, not very often over the last 30 plus years or 40 plus years of the Royals had back-to-back winning seasons. Uh, the Royals accomplished that these last two, and it comes on the heels of a 56 and 106 season the year before. So, uh, the Royals picking up a win today puts them at 82 and 80. That is where they finish. Uh that is uh obviously big news. I want to hear what you guys think about that. Uh 82 and 80. If I would have told you that on March 25th, how would you feel about it? Let us know in the comments or the live chat. But we’ve got an actual game to talk about. Let’s get into today’s game and turn our attention to Cole Reagan’s because he is our player of the game. This is the locked on player of the game. Man, Cole Reagan’s I think that he solidified himself as not only the ace of this team, but a top 10 pitcher in all of baseball, reminding everybody just what he’s capable of when he’s healthy today. I know. And guys, yes, he pitched really well against the Angels. This is a really good A’s lineup. I mean, a spectacular A’s lineup. So, do not slight the fact that Cole Reagan’s punched out. What did he punch out today? Did he have 10? I know he he had shut out. He threw a shut out over 72 pitches. Um, obviously the offense was really good, but Cole Reagan’s today, four and a third, two hits, no earned runs, one walk, eight strikeouts. The fast ball was really, really good. He did not throw the cutter once today. Um, let’s take a look at Cole Reagan’s baseball savant page because I feel like that’s going to be what a lot of people are looking at today. Um, after his outing. All right, here we go. This is Cole Reagan’s on baseball.B. llb.com. The fast ball was really good. 97 mph on the fast ball. Um, really solid. Average velocity was pretty much whatever. Um, spin was up on all of his pitches. He was spinning his pitches really well. Got that fast ball break. Got the IVB, which is what you want. But also, he was in the strike zone, but when he wasn’t in the strike zone, 38% a lot of whiffs, 41% whiff rate. I know he only threw 72 pitches, but man, Cole Reagan was really, really good today. You look at just the pitch tunneling from Cole Reagan’s all day today. I mean, a lot of fast balls up in the zone. The change up or the sorry, the slider was okay. Wasn’t his best pitch, but the fast ball was really good. Didn’t throw the curve ball very much. The change up was down in the zone for the most part. He got some that weren’t great, but Cole Reagan was just really, really good today. I think that he just reminded people what he’s capable of when he’s 100% healthy, which is exactly what he was today. Um, felt like the fast ball was really good today. Um, and I I like what I saw from him in in a really really good spot for him to be successful because he’s going up against a a a young lineup. Um, so I I liked what I saw from Cole Reagan today. I’m glad they brought him back to kind of showcase what he’s capable of going into 2026. Um, but yeah, a really good outing from Cole Reagan today. I felt like he was really um at the top of his game. These last two starts for him have been about I think that’s about as good of a two start stretch he’s had since he pitched what was it he he threw eight innings struck out 12 or 13 in 23 against the A’s and that was probably his best ever outing. But man, I mean just the the stuff was there, the command was there. I think that he is unequivocally undoubtedly viewed as this team’s number one guy going into next year. and it gives you that confidence going into next year that he he can be the guy. Um, and I see a question in the chat regarding uh the 2026 rotation. We’ll get to that here in a little bit. We’ll take some listener questions in the second segment. So, if you’re here live and you didn’t see my uh my uh chat, I said that uh today’s second half of the episode will be mostly kind of listener questions. Kind of want to feel where you guys are at. Jack does mailbag Fridays every Friday. And uh I I don’t really get the opportunity to ask or to answer some long-term questions. Um but uh if you have any questions, feel free to ask them. Only only so many people here today because of the Chiefs game, but if you’re here in the live chat or not, I mean, if you’re here after the show um and you’re watching on YouTube, leave a leave a comment and I’ll do my best to respond. But I appreciate you guys for being here, spending your Sunday afternoon with us as the Royals finish 82 and 80. The offense was really good today. Uh man, that homer from uh Carter Jensen, that was loud. That was really, really good. Uh obviously, um you would like to see him do that more consistently, but 482 is no slouch. I know he grew got a three 0 pitch groove to him. Um but Carter Jensen, man, I think that he has uh a much higher ceiling than we gave him credit for. I think he’s probably got a higher ceiling than that of Blake Mitchell, honestly. I think that makes him more expendable this off seasonason. Now, injuries are always uh something to keep an eye on. It’s never a bad thing to have depth. Um but man, uh Carter Jensen looks like a real piece going into next season. Uh the offense as a whole, Michael Massie, who I’ve always been a a skeptic of, he had a really good game today. He had four hits, uh has a double. He closed out his season really well after the injury. I think I saw Royals review tweet out uh he was hitting 370 uh since coming back from the injury. And honestly, I think that Michael Massie has uh earned at least a chance to fight for a job in spring training that at the very least compete with a guy for Adam Frasier on a on a short-term deal. But um I don’t know. I I’m curious what the decision is for Michael Massie this off seasonason. He’s obviously made, you know, it’s never a bad thing to have depth. I believe Massie has one option left. Um, but it’s never bad to have depth. It’s never bad to have guys that, you know, can contribute. And, uh, maybe Massiey’s early season was just him not playing healthy. Um, that’s that’s something we could have seen early this season. Um, also him and Jonathan India both struggled at the beginning of the season because they were both trying to learn new positions. So, um, when you throw all that on their plate, uh, you could kind of see how they might have struggled early in the season. But um I do think that he will at least be on the spring training invitee roster. I think he’ll get an opportunity to fight for a spot next season. But um we got a lot of people talking in the chat. Keep those questions coming. We will get to your questions when we come back. You are listening to the Royals postcast. All right, today’s episode is brought to you by 5Hour Energy. Caffeine just got a flavor upgrade. 5-hour energy shots deliver tasty caffeine in 17 bold flavors. Each 2 oz shot packs the caffeine of a premium 12 ounce cup of coffee, plus B vitamins and nutrients with zero sugar and zero crashes. What I love most is how portable they are. Big taste, tiny shot. You can take it anywhere and get the boost you need. Yesterday, as many of you know, I was at Jack’s wedding. Uh I went down yesterday morning and came had to wake up at 5:00 a.m. this morning. On the way down, grabbed a 5-hour energy, took it, was perfectly fine the entire 4 and 1 half hour trip this morning. 5:00 a.m. wake up. I have my cup of coffee. Then I had to then I had to uh you know uh use the facilities. So I went to the gas station and got a 5-h hour energy and was back on the road again. And it got me through the trip. And as you can see I don’t feel very tired. So uh shout out to 5Hour Energy for uh getting me through the uh the locked on royals wedding yesterday. Um and you can say enough with boring flavorless caffeine. It’s time to give your caffeine a flavor upgrade with a five-hour energy shot. Get the favorites you love or be bold and try something new in store and online at 5hour energy.com or Amazon today. Today’s episode is also brought to you by Zipix. This episode is brought to you by Zipix to Toothpicks. Whether you’re looking for nicotine satisfaction or an energy boost, Zipix has you covered with their nicotine and caffeine infused toothpicks. For nicotine users, Zipix provides a discrete way to satisfy cravings in the hand-to-mouth habit without vaping or smoking. Zipix can be helpful tool for you as you work to reduce your dependence on vaping. Available in six great flavors with 2 milligram and 3 milligram nicotine options. And if you need energy without the crash, their caffeine toothpicks are a gamecher. Uh if you want to add these to your rotation, go to zipix toothpicks.com. Use code locked on for 10% off your first order. Must be 21 or older to order. Warning, nicotine is an addictive chemical. That’s Zipix Toothpicks. Promo code locked on. Zip More, smoke less with Zipix toothpicks. Today’s episode is also brought to you by Neutrifold. You’ve probably seen a million ads for hair growth products and thought, “Sure, like that actually works.” There are so many products out there, it’s hard to know which ones are actually going to do anything. That’s why you should give Neutrifol a closer look. Neutrifall is the number one dermatologist recommended hair growth supplement brand trusted by over 1 and a half million people. And now, Neutrifol is the official hair growth partner of Major League Baseball. You can feel great about what you’re putting into your body since Neutrifol hair growth supplements are backed by peer-reviewed studies and NSF content certified, the gold standard in third-party certification for supplements. I love the Neutral is simple to add to your day. Four pills, four pills with a meal. No prescription needed. It’s easy. See thicker, stronger, faster growing hair and with less shedding in just 3 to 6 months with Neutrifll. For a limited time, Neutrifold is offering our listeners $10 off your first month subscription and free shipping when you go to neutrfold.com and enter the promo code locked on MLB. Find out why Neutrifold is the bestselling H hair growth supplement brand at neutrfold.com spelled neut.com promo code locked on MLB. That’s neutrfold.com promo code locked on MLB. All right. This uh this segment is dedicated to you guys, the listener. Drop your questions in the chat because this is uh this is the end of the season. You guys will not hear from me. Some of you might be happy not to hear from me until April. Some of you might not be. Um but we are going to answer some of the questions that you guys have because uh I have not had the opportunity many times this season to answer your questions when it pertains to the long-term outlook of the team. kind of view it uh in the uh in the small uh small aggregate um aggregated view of what we see from the Royals, a 24-hour snapshot of what we see from them. So, feel free to ask any of the questions you have on your mind and just like Jack has in his shows. Uh they can be baseball related, non- baseball related, whatever you want to hear about, let’s hear the questions in the chat. I’ve got my the boys are playing some ball shirt because the last time this year the boys were playing some ball. we don’t get to see the Royals in action once again uh for the rest of the year uh up until at least spring training. So feel free to add some uh questions to the chat. All right, let’s get to them. Oed asks, and this I’m sure is going to be a a common question. Are you going to show up in an episode with Jack before April? I do like the shows with both of you. Obed. I appreciate that. And uh I do not know. I would imagine that maybe once or twice Jack will wrote me in uh just because the the content machine can be a little bit slow sometimes. It always helps to have a guest for sure. But uh with Jack um it’s his show. It’s uh his guest. He gets to decide what to do with it. I will always uh embrace the opportunity to come on because I love talking sports with Jack. We work together. Um so if Jack wants me to come on, I will absolutely come on and talk with Jack anytime from now until April and even after that. So, uh, great question, Oedette. Appreciate you very much. Um, let’s look here. Uh, I believe this is, uh, Reinwald asks, “What’s your 2026 starting rotation?” Um, guys, you write into pen. I would say Cole Reagan’s, Seth Lugo, uh, Ryan Ber and at this point, Steven Kolic, I would say, are all in pen. Uh, maybe you could see Steven Kolick or Ryan Ber be a swing guy, whether that be in Omaha or in uh, the bullpen. But those are four guys that I think have the highest ceilings with this pitching staff. Um, and then you get to the guys that I think uh could potentially compete for a spot or be moved. Um, especially now with the emergence of guys like Ryan Bert and Steven Kolic. I think Michael Walker is very expendable. I know he pitched well last night. I didn’t watch a single pitch of last night’s game, so I cannot speak to how he played last night, but um it’s going to be interesting to see how they approach him and also Chris Bubich, who will be extension eligible. This is he’s entering the final year of his contract in 2026. So, he very well could be on the move um after this season. I know that Jack has expressed his his uh desire to extend Chris Bubich. I wouldn’t be opposed to that. But a guy that is coming off of back-to-back uh season ending injuries or not back toback, but two out of the last three years he’s had his season end due to injury. I think the ceiling is high with Chris Bubich, but I think you capitalize on that and fill a hole in a certain other position. So I would say that Chris Bubich, Michael Walka, and uh I don’t know if Bailey Falter is back next season. I do not know. I know he’s got a lot of team control left. Maybe the Royals look to uh to spring him loose for somebody else. But um I would say there are four guys written in pen and you have guys like Alec Marsh, Luender Avala, um Daniel Lynch who can obviously provide you a spot start here or there um potentially depth pieces uh that you can count on there going late. And I believe Ben Cerna pitched in AAA, but I would not expect him to be uh to be a piece going forward. But great question, Reinwald. And then he uh he also has a question, but we’ll get to OE here first. Uh, Hope Rave is no longer on our team or system in 2026. Um, I would imagine he’s going to be in the system. It never hurts to have depth and he’s at least a pretty solid defender in the outfield. Um, but, uh, yeah, that’s a that’s a great question. Uh, I or a great opinion. Um, keep the questions coming here in the chat. Uh, let us know what you want to hear about as we sign off for the rest of the year. Uh, Ryan asks again, uh, what’s your favorite moment from this year? Man, I uh I I it’s so difficult because when I do one of these after every single game, they start to flow together so much. Um I would say probably the Freddy Fer mean game against the Red Sox when they officially won 16 of 17 or maybe it was the Freddy game against the uh the Rockies. I believe that was the week after that. Um there’s been a lot of fun moments. I would say the two to one win in 12 against the Red Sox on May 9th or the uh 4 to3 win, although that was a blown save against the Rockies on April 22nd. But there’s a lot I mean it’s really tough to like I said I I I don’t know if there’s one that I’m missing completely off top of my head just because I do I’ve done a hundred of these episodes after every single game and I have to view every single one of them at the same time. But I would say probably one of those two games, one of the Freddy walk-off hits because if I’m not mistaken, I believe those are two of the only walk-off hits they’ve had this season. I’m trying to think back, but um maybe the one- nothing win against the Braves heading into the trade deadline. Uh Salvi wins it one to nothing in a bullpen game, backs against the wall right before the trade deadline. We start to feel like the Royals will really be buyers. But, uh that’s a really good question. There’s been a lot of them, a lot of favorite moments, uh this season. Um, OED asks, “Uh, Massie or India next year?” Um, good question. I would say probably Massie. He’ll be cheaper. Um, I I I’d been a Jonathan India defender for most of the season. You could even throw the Jonathan India Grand Slam against Emanuel Claw in there. Uh, or I believe it was a three-run homer, a walk-off homer for India against Class A. But, uh, that’s a great question. Um, I would say probably Massie because he is a homegrown guy. They have more ties to him. um it looks better on the pro on the scouting department if he does well and he’s cheaper has I believe one more option left India is pretty much pigeon holed in and is going to be a free agent after 26. So I would say they probably move India for um an equal or lesser part but um I would I think it’s a I don’t want to say a lose-lose situation but there’s not many winners from that situation. Um let’s uh look at some other ones. Oed asks another question. Who do you think we keep from our recent trades? Um, really good question. Uh, so I would say Bailey Falter is probably a no. Burger Kick, yes. Yas, yes. He’s starting to feel like a guy they probably continue to roll with. Um, but that’s even up in the air. I’d say Yas is a yes. Gritic, no. Frasier like a maybe a Cavan Bigio type minor league deal where or not minor league deal but like a spring training invite with a league minimum or greater like a a one and a quarter uh million dollar deal maybe a Marana style deal. But from those guys I’d say that’s probably it. But man, I I think that that’s probably all that you’re going to I would say the the two starting pitchers in Kick and uh and Burger and then Yremsky probably. But uh I don’t know, they’ve got a lot of left-handed bats in the outfield and I think that is a a recipe for disaster potentially um when you come to platoon numbers. But appreciate the question there, OED. Um Brent asks, “Is second base and left field the focal points for upgrades next year?” Um, I would say probably, um, I would put left, I would say just outfield in general. If they could find a right-hander, uh, Jack brought up Rob Reed. Um, if they could bring up a a find a right-handed bat that could play center field so Kyle Isel doesn’t have to play every single day, I think that would go a long way. Um, but I would say, yeah, outfield is definitely the priority. Um, coming into this off season, they need to add higher floor guys. Uh, you don’t have to go out and get a a Kyle Tucker. that’s unrealistic, but at least show that you’re willing to spend some money and and find some guys that you can actually play on a week-toeek basis more than, you know, three times a week. Um, all right, let’s uh Okay, Elizabeth asked a question. If Harrison Bader’s mutual option does not get picked up by the Phillies, then perhaps they could sign a free agent. I love that. I like Harrison Bader a lot. I wish they would have gotten him this off season. Right-handed back, can play center, can play all the outfield positions, can hit near the top of the lineup, a guy with some postseason experience. uh an all-time vibes guy as well. Great locks, great hair. I would love to bring Harrison Bader in. I think that’s a great person the Royals could look at, but I would imagine he’s going to be pretty expensive if the Phillies do not uh bring him back on a uh on a mutual option. Um Elizabeth, yeah, I I was at Jack’s wedding yesterday. Yeah, and it was a great uh it was a great wedding. Uh got to see Jack. Got to talk to him. There were 200 people there, so didn’t get to talk too much to him, but it was a great time last night. Uh Reinwald asks uh are you doing this next year? Uh as far as I know um I have not talked to the people at Locked on uh about this going forward next year, but my plan is to absolutely do this next year. Um but that is uh the people with the uh more decision-making power than me are going to control that. But I would love to continue doing this going into next year. Um all right, Curtis says, “Other than Sweeney and the rest of the pitching staff as well as Bill Dussy, which coaches will be back in 26?” That’s a good question. I would say that most of the coaches will be back uh next season. Um or at least um man, I I I couldn’t tell you off the top of my head which ones aren’t going to be back. Like Jack has said, I don’t have any insidefo when it comes to that stuff because of the fact that I’m located in Witchaw compared to Jack who’s up in Kansas City and, you know, has media credentials to get into Royals games, is connected, well connected up there. So I I don’t know. That’s uh that’s more of a Jack question. I think he said multiple times that he does not expect Alex Zumalt to be back in a long term uh in a in a coaching role next season. So other than that, I would imagine that is going to be um who’s not going to be back. But I couldn’t tell you one way or another who the other guys are. I think that maybe they look to upgrade at the base coaches. Maybe Rusty Coun gets the gets a call back up because he was up a lot with Jack this year uh with Kags when he was learning the outfield and obviously the base running was an issue at times this season. So maybe they look to uh move some of the base coaches around a little bit. Um but great question, Curtis. Um uh all right. Um Elizabeth saying, “Yeah, Walker redid the contract, so he’s around for a little while. Doesn’t mean they can’t trade him.” Um I I’m not a huge Waka fan. Oed saying, “I hope they let Jack pitch a little.” I think that’s a pipe dream. I doubt that happens. I’d say there’s maybe a 1% chance that happens. Um uh Curtis asks another question. who of the current bullpen other than Urs and Estz will or should be back in 2026. Let me go to the the roster real quick. I would imagine that Avala will be back. Um Steven Cruz should be back, but although I did float the idea of trading him uh in the uh in the trade deadline part of the season. Um let’s look at some other guys. Uh I think Daniel Lynch will probably be back. Sera will be back. I know there’s some groans about that, but I think Sera will be back. Um, I expect Taylor Clark back, Stephen Cruz, Jonathan Bolan to be back. Sam Long, doubt he is back. Um, Luender Avala, he’s got options. I’d imagine he gets a chance to fight for a spot in the uh in the offseason. Hunter Harvey will not be back. John Shriber, I do not think will be back. Um, other guys, I mean, yeah, there’s not even other guys on the roster. Uh, but yeah, it’s a good question, Curtis, and one that I’m sure a lot of people are asking when it comes to the pitching depth. Um, uh, let’s look here. Um, yeah, Elizabeth Harrison Bader could play left. Uh, Drew asking, “Trade Salvi this off seasonason. Clear up last year of contract and get Kyle Tucker big swing.” Yeah, that’s uh, that’s something that, um, you know, maybe in like video games you would consider doing or um, if you were really looking to cut cost, you would maybe look to trade Salvi. But I I think that he’s I think he’s a long-term not a long term. I think Salvi will be here in 2026 under the current option that he has and then you see from there because I think that what we’ve learned from the Royals this year is that they don’t have the guys in the farm or at least not ready right now. They have not developed hitting whatsoever. You just got a 3100 season from Salvador Perez and maybe you get a better season out of him next year because you’ll have Carter Jensen be able to catch a lot more games than Salvi did this year. Um, but I would I think Salvi is absolutely back this se uh this next season. Um, he has 10 five rights, so he look he can veto any trade, so he will not be traded. Um, but if they just if they turn down the option, um, that would shock me truly. Um, I was in the potentially trade salvi boat. I I wasn’t I I had a ticket to the boat to get on the trade Salvi boat, but um I ended up uh selling it to a scalper, but uh I I did not have any uh I don’t think that Salvi um gets traded this offseason, but appreciate you uh appreciate you asking the question, Drew. Um all right, let’s look here. Um Elizabeth says they could send Zumalt down to the miners as a coach. I I doubt that happens. Coaches usually don’t get demoted. Um it’s it’s their job. I I I’ve not heard any of my friends being demoted. They usually just get fired. Um so or maybe they get a a you know, here’s a here’s a hint. Uh you can get a job in the front office. That is a hint. Either do that or you are fired. So um I don’t think Alex Zumalt’s going to the minor leagues to coach anybody. Um Elizabeth bringing up Coun has vision issues. That’s why he’s no longer first base coach. All right. Um yeah, it’s a good point. I did not know that, but appreciate the uh the comment there. Um also says, “Don’t think they’re going to trade walk. He likes Kansas City.” Yeah, I mean, it’s something they it’s something that good organizations would consider. I mean, the Rays and Guardians are, you know, probably the uh the standard when it comes to small market teams and what they need to do transaction-wise. Um, but I I think that if they were in those positions where they have as much depth that they have as pitcher, I think that they would favor the young guys and look to move on from some of the veterans that uh are, you know, the the age curve is going to hit Michael Walker really hard. Um, I think that this season with an RA over four, um, you likely are heading for a worse season next year compared to potentially a better season. So, um, yeah, I I I know that Michael Walk is under contract. I know he’s kind of a Kansas City guy, but I I I think they should strongly consider moving him for a controllable bat because I think that they need a bat a heck of a lot more than they need Michael Walka going into 2026. So, I think it’s the same reason I I floated out the Steven Cruz trade possibility because I think that or at least when Stephen Cruz was really humming, this was like Seattle Arizona series when the Royals were struggling. Like Michael Walker’s value is a lot more to another team than it is to the Royals. Similar to how an outfield bat for the Red Sox is a lot more valuable to the Royals than it would be to the Red Sox because they have so much outfield depth. Royals don’t need Michael Waka going into next year. They have him for next year, but they don’t need him. they can move him and get a piece that they need. I think that that is what you have to look at um from a transactional standpoint. You have to find ways to get better this off season and you can’t rely on just the fact that your minor league guys and your young guys are going to take that next step. They did that with MJ Melendez. They did that for a time with Nick Praau, with Drew Waters. All guys who have bottomed out and not developed whatsoever. You can’t go into next season saying that Jack Kagleon is unquestionably the starter in the outfield. So, that is going to be something that I keep an eye on is how do they add an outfield bat and who gets moved, but appreciate the cander when it comes to Michael Waka. I like him personally. It’s just he’s very frustrating as a pitcher and I think the Royals could absolutely upgrade off of him. Um, Drew asks who’s the World Series winner. Um, I have a ticket a ticket actually on FanDuel um for the Mariners to win the AL pennant. I’m going to go Dodgers over Mariners as my World Series prediction. Um, Curtis asks, “What are your best guesses as to who makes it through each round of the playoffs? Appreciate you doing these postgame podcasts. They were good therapy sessions.” Um, I I think that Cleveland is going to make it out of the wild card. I also think uh that Boston makes it out of the wild card. Um, honestly, I haven’t even looked at the seating yet in the bracket. I’ve kind of been disconnected from like the playoff chase just given the fact that, you know, I’m solely focusing on the Royals uh and pretty much uh all I got to follow all the football stuff going on as well. So, I haven’t really had a chance to look at the actual playoff bracket. It looks like uh it looks like the the postseason field is set. The the Reds clinch a spot. So, give me the Guardians over the Tigers. Give me the Red Sox over the Yankees. Give me the Dodgers over the Reds. Give me the Padres’s over the Cubs. So, then I give me the Mariners over the Guardians. The uh Red Sox over the Blue Jays. Give me the Phillies or the Dodgers over the Phillies, Padres’s over the the Brewers, and then Mariners over Red Sox and Dodgers over Philly or Dodgers over Padres’s. And I would take the uh the Dodgers in the playoffs there. Um but yeah, I think the Dodgers repeat. Um OED asking, “Speaking of MJ, is he gone next year?” Um I I think MJ is gone next year. He’s got no options left. Um, I I think that he is taking his last swings as a Kansas City Royal. Maybe he just gets DFA and relegated to Omaha. But if MJ Melendez is taking an atbat wearing a Kansas City Royals uniform next year, I would be shocked. Um, Elizabeth saying number four and 13 will be retired on the same night and it’ll be a huge celebration and standing room only. I don’t think Alex Gordon gets his number retired, but that’s just my opinion. I think Salvi does. Um, but uh, she also brings up Carson Rockef Carson something. I think you’re talking about Carson Rockefor, an outfielder in the Miners we should be keeping an eye on. Yeah, he’s a great defender in the outfield, but probably at least a year away um if I were a betting man. But I appreciate you guys for being here um all season long or I guess when we picked this up in June. We’ve done over a 100 episodes of Royals postcast episodes and I could not be more grateful for all of you that endured this season with me. Um, this was something that I knew was going to be a bit of a chore, especially if the Royals were in a slump and, you know, had other stuff going on. It It was a struggle at times sometimes to get through these um to watch the Royals continue to struggle. Um, but you guys are the big reason why I kept doing it and a big reason why I enjoyed it so much is because you guys are a a great audience. You guys are uh fantastic fans. You guys are diehard fans. Um, I really appreciate all the support you guys have given us and uh continue to support Jack this offseason. He’ll be doing three episodes a week. Who knows if I’lluh be on those. Um Jack and I have a a friendly relationship as well as professional one, so I’m sure it’ll be discussed as well. Um I I honestly cannot wait now for uh for when April rolls around. Um in the meantime, I I don’t really have anything to plug uh except for personally. I guess we could uh you know, you could follow me on Twitter, which I’ve already said a million uh hundreds of times literally on this podcast, but uh yeah, I appreciate you guys for being here. I don’t really have anything to plug. Um, if you guys want to continue to follow along with uh with me, my Twitter handle is probably the best place to find it. I do work here at ESPN Witchaw. I go on every once in a while and do shows there. Um, but uh the best way to continue uh following the Lockdown Royals channel is to subscribe to like this video and turn on notifications um because you’ll get notified whenever we post a video. And then I’m sure a lot of you will get that first notification on March 29th when we go live for the first time for the first edition of the Royals postcast in 2026. I appreciate you guys who are being the best fans. Don’t forget like the video, subscribe to the channel, and we will see you in 2026 for the Royals Postcast.

Chance Liebau reacts to the season finale between the Kansas City Royals and Athletics. We discuss the up-and-down campaign, Cole Ragans’ continued dominance, and take questions from the listeners!

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
5-Hour ENERGY
Enough with boring, flavorless caffeine, it’s time to give your caffeine a flavor upgrade with 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots. Get the favorites you love or be bold and try something new in-store and online at https://www.5hourENERGY.com or Amazon today.

Nutrafol
See thicker, stronger hair with less shedding in just 3–6 months with Nutrafol. For a limited time, get $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to https://Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code LOCKEDONMLB.

Zippix
Go to https://ZippixToothpicks.com and use promo code LOCKEDON for 10% off your first order. Zippix Toothpicks—energy and focus, anytime you need it.

PrizePicks
Download the PrizePicks app today and use code LOCKEDONMLB to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.
PrizePicks — Run Your Game.
Click Link Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONMLB

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONMLB at https://monarchmoney.com/lockedonmlb for 50% off your first year.

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)