The Kansas City Royals have stumbled out of the gate this season, but don't count them out just yet. Sitting at 19-22, they're only two games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central standings. With a strong push from their pitching staff, this team could be leading the division by Memorial Day.

One arm that absolutely needs to step up is right-handed reliever Alex Lange. The 30-year-old has struggled mightily, posting a 5.79 ERA and an 0-2 record over 16 appearances. That's a tough stat line for a pitcher who's tied for fourth on the team in games pitched.

Here's the hard truth: Lange is the only Royals pitcher with at least eight outings who has an ERA above 5.00. He's allowed runs in seven of his appearances, including three of his last seven. Among the six Royals hurlers with double-digit appearances, he's the lone arm with an ERA north of 3.70.

It's been a disappointing start for a guy who looked like a savvy offseason pickup. Kansas City signed Lange to a one-year, $900,000 deal after he missed most of 2025 with the Detroit Tigers following lat surgery. Before that injury, he'd posted ERAs under 4.00 in two of his previous four seasons—so the talent is there.

The good news? The bullpen has some reliable anchors. Lucas Erceg (3.31 ERA), John Schreiber (3.38 ERA), Nick Mears (3.07 ERA), Daniel Lynch IV (2.20 ERA), and Matt Strahm (3.68 ERA) have all been steady. But you can't carry a weak link all season long, especially in a tight division race.

There are signs of hope. May has been kinder to Lange, who owns a 3.60 ERA over four outings this month. He just threw 1.2 scoreless innings against the Tigers on Sunday, allowing no hits and just one walk. That's the kind of performance the Royals need to see more of.

Overall, Kansas City ranks 20th in baseball with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. The rotation hasn't been immune either—left-hander Cole Ragans has a 4.84 ERA in eight starts, and fellow lefty Noah Cameron sits at 5.55 ERA over seven outings.

Up next, the Royals hit the road for a crucial stretch against the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. If they want to climb above .500 and make some noise, they'll need everyone—especially Lange—to bring their best stuff.