Outlook Carter Jensen
Jensen Mired in Deep June Slump as Royals Prepare for Six-Game Homestand
The fourth-place Royals are riding a two-game win streak but find themselves at 27-39 on the year. Their young catcher, Carter Jensen, is currently mired in a deep slump, batting just .115 with 12 strikeouts over his last seven days, though he remains the team's primary starter behind the plate. With star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. currently questionable with knee soreness, the Kansas City lineup around Jensen is feeling the strain.
Jensen's recent cold spell has dragged his season average down to .213, a far cry from the .300 mark he teased in a brief 20-game sample last season. However, our models suggest patience is warranted; his overall season projection of a .242 batting average and 14 home runs aligns with his strong walk rate and raw power, indicating his current .152 clip over the last fortnight is a temporary rookie wall rather than a permanent regression.
Kansas City hosts a six-game homestand starting Tuesday with matchups against Texas and Houston. Jensen will face a mixed bag of arms, including manageable matchups against Tatsuya Imai (5.24 ERA) and Mike Burrows (5.77 ERA), though Spencer Arrighetti (1.94 ERA) looms on Sunday. Given his current contact issues and a projected .205 average for the week, it is best to leave him on the bench. Verdict: Sit.
Updated 1 day ago
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Outlook Curtis Mead
Curtis Mead's recent power surge has secured him everyday playing time, making him an intriguing starting option.
Curtis Mead is swinging a hot bat, hitting .279 with four home runs and 11 RBI over his last 14 days. His excellent performance against right-handed pitching has earned him everyday playing time, slotting in as the primary starter at third base while providing depth at first and second. This offensive surge is a massive lift for a Washington club that currently sits at 33-33 and third in the NL East.
While Mead only hit five home runs total over his first three major league seasons, his 2026 campaign features a sudden breakout with nine home runs in 51 games. Our rest-of-season models project him to add another 10 long balls with a solid .307 on-base percentage. Given his stellar minor league track record, the power jump looks legitimate, even if his batting average eventually regresses toward his projected .238 mark.
The Nationals play six games this week, starting with a road trip to San Francisco before returning home to host Seattle. Mead enjoys excellent matchups against struggling starters Adrian Houser (5.71 ERA) and Luis Castillo (5.53 ERA), though matchups against Bryce Miller (1.33 ERA) and Emerson Hancock (2.80 ERA) will test him. With his everyday role locked in, he remains an excellent lineup option. Verdict: Start.
Updated 1 day ago
