Royals pitcher Ian Kennedy talks about the differences between starting and relieving

Kansas City Royals pitcher Ian Kennedy has been throwing his curveball better this year, but hitters are both hitting it and whiffing at it. Video by John Sleezer and Maria Torres/The Kansas City Star By

Ask Royals pitcher Ian Kennedy the biggest difference between starting and relieving and the first thing he says is: “No free pitches.”

Here’s what he means.

By the time a relief pitcher faces a hitter, the hitter has already had two or three at-bats against the starter and is all warmed up, ready to swing the bat. Early in the game a hitter might let a fastball go by to see what the starter has that night, but won’t do the same with a reliever.

That part of the contest is over and it’s now…