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Gausman Completes Game, Cubs Edge Royals 6-4

8/8/2026

25 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Gausman Secures Win

Kevin Gausman earned the win as Chicago beat the Royals 6-4 on Friday.
He allowed two runs on four hits, one walk and four strikeouts over seven innings on 96 pitches.
Since the All-Star break Gausman has recorded 15 strikeouts in 22 innings with a 4.09 ERA and 1.46 WHIP.
The seven-inning outing was his second complete game this season after ten such outings for Toronto last year.

Summary

Royals Pitching Crisis

Royals placed Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila on the 60-day IL after Tommy John surgery, depleting the rotation.
Cole Ragans had elbow surgery and Kris Bubic was traded, leaving Daniel Lynch IV as the only clear starter.
Reliever Daniel Lynch IV posted a 1.96 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 46 innings, while Kansas City’s bullpen ranks in the bottom two in ERA, FIP, WHIP and carries the fourth-most blown saves.

Summary

Gausman Endures

Jed Hoyer’s trade-deadline acquisition added right-hander Kevin Gausman to the Cubs roster.
Gausman suffered a line-drive to his right ankle in first inning but stayed in the game.
His start was the Cubs’ first of seven or more innings since Jose Quintana in 2017.
Craig Counsell praised Gausman’s splitter as difficult for hitters.
Clay Holmes was activated from the 60-day injured list to debut Saturday after a May 15 fibula fracture.

History

Historical Context

After the 1994-95 players’ strike forced a 144-game 1995 season, clubs like the Chicago Cubs (73-71) and Kansas City Royals (70-74) overhauled their rotations to stay competitive. That year’s mid-season moves and injury setbacks set a pattern echoed today as the Cubs add starter Kevin Gausman and the Royals place reliever Stephen Kolek on the 60-day injured list.

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Gausman Secures Win

Kevin Gausman earned the win as Chicago beat the Royals 6-4 on Friday.
He allowed two runs on four hits, one walk and four strikeouts over seven innings on 96 pitches.
Since the All-Star break Gausman has recorded 15 strikeouts in 22 innings with a 4.09 ERA and 1.46 WHIP.
The seven-inning outing was his second complete game this season after ten such outings for Toronto last year.

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