New SportsBeat KC podcast tackles the troubles facing the Royals

After suffering a 10-7 loss to the New York Yankees on Tuesday night, the Royals have lost 11 of 14 and sit at just 15-17 on the season. As of Wednesday afternoon, they were seven games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.

SportsBeat KC — The Star’s sports podcast — returns this week to delve into the prolonged skid. Royals beat writer Rustin Dodd, who is in New York, called columnist Sam Mellinger and discussed the biggest concerns — Starting pitching? Offense? Energy? — facing the Royals as they attempt to kick an early-season funk.

The podcast also covers the struggles of Chris Young, the re-emergence of Lorenzo Cain, the offense of Kendrys Morales and the possible answers in right field.

All of our episodes of SportsBeat KC appear on this page. You can also find it on iTunes.