Ragans (11-9) picked up the win in Friday's 5-0 victory over the Twins, allowing four hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

When Ragans fanned Royce Lewis with a changeup in the third inning, it made him the first left-hander in Kansas City history to record 200 strikeouts in a season. He's only the fifth Royals pitcher to ever reach that mark, joining a group that includes Zack Greinke (2009), Kevin Appier (1996), Dennis Leonard (a franchise-record 244 Ks in 1977) and Bob Johnson (1970). The quality start was the 18th of the season for Ragans, and since the beginning of August he's posted a 3.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 51:16 K:BB over 39 innings. His 204 strikeouts on the year put him third in the majors behind Tarik Skubal's 208 and Chris Sale's 206. Ragans is scheduled for a tough road start against the Yankees next week, and his subsequent turn in the rotation could set him up for a dramatic showdown with Skubal in Kansas City on Sept. 17.

Ragans (10-9) took the loss against Houston on Saturday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 batters over five-plus innings.

EDGE Analysis

Ragans left his previous start Monday against Cleveland due to calf/hamstring cramping, but he didn't seem to be impacted at all by the issue Saturday. While the left-hander gave up five runs for the first time since late June, only one of the hits against him (a triple) went for extra bases. In fact, at one point early in the contest Ragans struck out eight straight batters, and he didn't allow his first hit until the fourth frame. Ragans' undoing was the sixth inning, when he struggled with his control -- in addition to allowing three hits, he also walked a batter, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch, and he didn't notch any outs before he was pulled. Aside from that frame, Ragans was dominant, and overall he notched his third double-digit strikeout performance of the season while tallying an impressive 22 whiffs.

Ragans (calf/hamstring) is listed as the Royals' probable starter for Saturday's game against the Astros, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ragans had to be lifted from his last outing Monday versus the Guardians due to cramping in his left calf and hamstring. However, manager Matt Quatraro said after the game that the lefty was "fine," and it appears he's officially a go for his next scheduled start. Ragans will bring a 3.28 ERA and 187:54 K:BB over 156.1 innings into action Saturday.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Ragans (calf/hamstring) is "fine" after exiting Monday's start versus the Guardians due to cramping, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ragans was pulled after walking the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the fifth inning due to cramping in his left calf and hamstring. However, he had already thrown 94 pitches by that point, with Quatraro noting that the lefty was likely going to be lifted soon, anyway. He'll need to get through a normal between-starts throwing session first, but Ragans sounds like he's on track to make his next scheduled start Saturday in Houston.

Ragans was removed from Monday's start against the Guardians in the fifth inning due to a left calf/hamstring cramp, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After issuing a four-pitch walk to Lane Thomas to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning, Ragans motioned to the dugout that something wasn't right. After a brief conversation with the trainer and manager Matt Quatraro, Ragans exited the field. Thankfully, he doesn't appear to be dealing with a long-term injury, although it's too soon to know whether Ragans' availability for his next start might be affected. He was charged with two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks over four-plus innings before being removed.

Ragans (10-8) allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out nine over five-plus innings to take the loss Tuesday versus the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Ragans had won three straight starts and five of his last six entering Tuesday. The Angels were able to tag him for multiple runs in the fourth and sixth innings, and the Royals' offense didn't cover the damage. Ragans has had few poor outings -- this was just the sixth time all year he's given up four or more runs. Ragans has a 3.31 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 183:50 K:BB over 152.1 innings through 26 starts. The southpaw's next outing is projected to be on the road in Cleveland.

Ragans (10-7) picked up the win Wednesday against the Twins, allowing one earned run on five hits and zero walks while striking out eight in seven innings.

EDGE Analysis

The only run surrendered by Ragans came on a solo shot by Carlos Santana in the fourth inning. Other than that blemish, Ragans cruised through seven innings, striking out eight or more batters for the first time since July 5. The southpaw has now collected wins in five of his past six starts, pitching to a 2.87 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 40:10 K:BB in 37.2 innings during that stretch. He'll look to stay in the win column in his next start, currently scheduled for early next week against the Angels.

Ragans (9-7) allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven over 6.1 innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

The Royals' defense didn't do Ragans any favors in the third inning, with all three Boston runs in that frame being unearned. That didn't stop Ragans from pitching into the seventh inning for the first time in four starts. The southpaw allowed multiple homers for just the second time this season. He's given up 12 homers this season, with nine of them coming over his last 11 outings. Ragans is at a 3.27 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 166:47 K:BB through 140.1 innings over 24 starts this season. He's projected for a road start versus the Twins in his next outing.

Ragans (8-7) earned the win Friday over the Tigers, allowing two runs on two hits and four walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Ragans got off to a shaky start Friday, surrendering a two-run homer to Justyn-Henry Malloy in the first inning. However, the southpaw settled in and blanked Detroit over his final 4.2 frames, allowing just one additional hit, en route to his third win in his last four starts. While he ultimately turned in a strong outing Friday, Ragans has now failed to make it through six innings in back-to-back starts -- he'd gone at least six in eight of his previous nine starts. Overall, Ragans sports a 3.36 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP and 159:45 K:BB across 134 innings this season. He's currently slated to face the Red Sox at home in his next start.

Ragans (7-7) allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.2 innings Sunday, striking out seven and taking a loss against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Ragans gave up a pair of runs in the third inning followed by two more in the sixth. He took his first loss since June 29 and broke a three-game streak of quality starts. However, he forced 17 whiffs Sunday, including 11 with his changeup. Ragans is sporting a 3.37 ERA with a 153:41 K:BB through 22 starts this season. His next outing is expected to be in Detroit.