Royals *** Official 2016 Royals Repository, Version 1 *** - Page 292

duncan_idaho · 04-03-2016, 09:48 AM

And so it begins: The Royals' second straight attempt to repeat as AL Champions, and first attempt to repeat as World Series champions.

In this thread, we'll track all non-gameday action. Roster moves, prospect news, etc.

I'll start the thread as usual, with division rivals thoughts. I still like KC to repeat as AL Central champs. Here's how I see the rest of it shaking out:

2) Indians - they have the pitching (and seem to have at least semi-Kluber-ed Cody Anderson, who added 3 mph to his fastball in the offseason). Will the offense hold up? I think this is a team that ends up looking a lot like the 2014 Royals. Francisco Lindor will solidify their IF defense over the full season, and is a help with the bat. I think this club is still a year away from really breaking through - the offense still has a lot of question marks - but I like them to nab a wildcard spot.

Key Player(s): Michael Brantley. When Brantley returns - and how he hits when he does - will be critical to the Indians' ability to be good enough on offense.

Jason Kipnis. Kipnis has been an enigmatic offensive performer for the past several years. If he finally has a good offensive campaign from start to finish, Cleveland could make real noise.

Something of interest to me: For all the acclaim the Twins' farm system gets, I look at the Indians young players, and would much rather have them. Brad Zimmer is going to be a very good all-around CF. Clint Frazier has huge power potential and should arrive soon (2017). Lindor is a young stud.

3) Tigers - Old and dependent on a few stars. If Verlander and Sanchez are healthy and effective, they will be playoff contenders. I'm sure JD Martinez will continue to hit roid-aided bombs. I'm also pretty sure Victor Martinez's days as a huge power threat are gone.

Key player: Justin Verlander. Detroit people would have you believe he figured out how to succeed without his big fastball in September of last year. If that's true, and he returns to dominant form, Detroit will likely contend again.

Something of interest to me: Will Jose Iglesias stay healthy and not try to kill teammates in the dugout? His defense makes the whole group much better.

4) Twins - They won't lead the division or be in playoff contention for as long this year, but Minnesota will avoid the cellar.

Key Player: Miguel Sano. Huge power, huge K rate. Can he continue to drive the ball and be a plus offensive player? Probably needs to cut that 35 percent K percentage to do so.

Something of interest to me: Will teams challenge Sano inside with hard stuff? Working away, away, just lets his power play up. Also - will Mike Berardino continue to be the biggest beat writer homer in MLB?

5) White Sox - still managed by a shitty manager who can't control his clubhouse (The blame for the LaRoche thing really should fall on him, not the GM). Still have a shitty overall defense and a lot of douchebags on the team. They will once again look better on paper than they actually perform.

Key player: Carlos Rodon. The White Sox need Rodon to take a big step forward to make an actual move this season. He's got the talent...

And, as always, here are the prospects.

Duncan’s Top 20 for 2016:

Spoiler!

1. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, SS, BOTH: Tools, tools, tools. RA has tools galore. At his best, he’s an All-Star SS who plays elite D, hits 15-20 HR, swipes 40 bags, and is an ideal 1, 2 or 3 hitter. At his worst, I think he looks a lot like Alcides Escobar. Plate discipline is his biggest challenge at this point, but evaluators are confident that will come with time. Clear No. 1
2. Kyle Zimmer, RHP: He’s pitching again and staying healthy, which is nice. He’s pitcing out of the bullpen to build back his arm strength, which is less nice. But still has that high upside, just a lower floor now. Ideally, the team will use him as a bullpen weapon in September (because he has earned it) and then give him a chance to transition back to starting for 2016.
3. Bubba Starling, CF, RH: Starling has been up and down this year but put himself back on the map by greatly improving his K rate while also improving across the slash line as a hitter. His defense and baserunning are MLB ready; if Starling can work himself into a league average hitter, he can be a solid MLB regular who plays great D in CF while hitting 15 HR and swiping 20 bags.
4. Miguel Almonte, RHP: Still love the body, FB/CH combo. Results aren’t eye popping, but he’s still low enough and early enough in the development to prize those things over performance. Still a solid No. 3 starter upside, and just a year and some change away from potentially being ready to contribute at the MLB level.
5. Jorge Bonifacio, RF, RH: Emilio’s little brother got off to a horrible start in 2015 but has heated up as the season went on. He also is translating BP power to game power for the first time, with 15 HR just past the mid-way point of his season. Despite his disappointing 2014, he has a chance to build his way back into legit prospect status – and still is only 22. Next challenge for him should be Omaha, but that may wait for the start of the 2014 season.
6. Scott Blewett, RHP: Blewett has a nice two –pitch mix already and is off to a strong start. With his size (6-6) and a good fastball/curveball combo, Blewett could eventually turn into a good No. 3 starter, with a MLB-average changeup.
7. Nolan Watson, RHP: The Royals’ 2015 sandwich pick is a polished prep arm who is adding velocity and explosiveness to a good, polished base. Likely to move quickly.
8. Ashe Russell, RHP: The 2015 top pick probably needs more work than Watson, but the upside is really nice. Again, advanced two-pitch mix that will depend on him adding a changeup. Could be a very good NO. 2 if it all adds up.
9. Balbino Fuenmayor, 1B/DH, RH: The Balbino came out of basically nowhere in 2015 to earn a Futures Game spot. Big power and an improved two-strike approach have turned the late bloomer into a legit prospect. He’s blocked at the MLB level currently by Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales, but Fuenmayor’s combination of power hitting and good average/strike zone control makes him intriguing.
10. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, RH: Cheslor probably is not going to be the star KC was hoping for when signing him out of Nicaragua, but he does look like he can be a solid reserve for an MLB club. Good defense at 3B paired with a solid plate approach and some gap power plays fine off the bench. He becomes a lot more interesting if they think he can stick as a 2B, which they have experimented with.

Spoiler!

11. Chase Vallot, C/DH/1B: I really like Vallot’s power and plate discipline combo. His bat will probably force him from behind the plate, but he’s held his own despite being extremely young for every level he has faced.
12. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado, OF, RH: Escalera-Maldonado earned a promotion to Wilmington at age 20, which is pretty advanced movement for that age. He’s an athletic outfielder who has shown some plate discipline at an early age, which is encouraging. Doesn’t sound like he can stick in CF long term for KC, but his bat has become one to watch.
13. Pedro Fernandez, RHP: I haven’t seen much of him, but like the reports I’ve heard on his fastball and general makeup. Could become the next Almonte/Mondesi, though he’s more likely to land in the pen than either of them.
14. Elier Hernandez, OF, RH: Elier Hernanez teamed with Escalera-Maldonado in breaking out at Low-A and earning a promotion to Wilmington. It’s still early for this guy – he is just 20 years old – but he doesn’t take walks and hasn’t developed the prodigious power many thought he had the potential for. Still worth watching.
15. Hunter Dozier, 3B, RH: Dozier is reworking his swing mid-season, which generally will cause production to do what his has done: Nose dive. The changes he made entering the season (seemingly geared towards increasing his power production) were a disaster, and now he’s trying to get back to what he used to be. Still looks great and checks most of the scouting boxes, but the performance hasn’t matched, and it almost knocked him out of the list.
16. Christian Binford, RHP: After a breakthrough 2014, Binford struggled mightily at AAA and suffered a demotion. His upside remains similar – a back-end starter who can eat innings – but Binford’s lack of velocity and reliance on command have caught up to him so far.
17. Marten Gasparini, OF, SH: Gasparini is intriguing because of his speed and athleticism. He’s a LOOOOONG ways from the majors and young for his level, but reports on his bat speed, swing, and speed remain positive enough to keep him on the bubble.
18. Eric Skoglund, LHP: Skoglund had a nice year at Wilmington. I'm skeptical because his K rate is lower than I like to see for a guy at A+ - just 7/9, and usually guys lose a strikeout or two/9 as they move up the chain from there - but he has excellent control, walking 1.17 batters/9. 6-7 lefties with great control who get lots of ground balls - like Skoglund - have a chance to overcome bad K rates.
19. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/LF: A lefty stick with power, O'Hearn was a savings signing as an 8th round pick, but a change in his approach increased his power - while increasing his K rate. After Vallot, probably the best pure power prospect in the Royals system.
20. Josh Staumont, RHP: I was terrified of this guy's control problems, and he walked nearly a batter an inning in his pro debut (32 BB in 40 1/3 IP). Staumont's nasty, nasty stuff (plus-plus fastball, plus slider) could make him a very good late-inning reliever who strikes out more than a batter an inning, if he can develop average or slightly below-average control. If he really masters the control, you're talking about a potential Greg Holland type, but that's a TALL task.

Prison Bitch · 08-15-2016, 04:00 PM

I thought Bill James wrote that Brett may be one of those exceptions but I can't remember. Years ago I listened to a national host out of NY and the topic was "Athletes you hate" and his was Brett because of all the clutch hits esp playoff games and Pine Tar etc.

KevB · 08-15-2016, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I don't believe that "clutchness" really exists - the ability to raise one's game and perform even better than your best in crunch time. At least not in baseball.

But I do believe "anti-clutchness" exists ... The propensity for performing WORSE in key spots. Some guys just can't do it under the bright lights.

I do think there are some characteristics that make a hitter better in the clutch spots... Ability to work counts, batting eye, willingness to shorten up and approach the situation appropriately, etc. But that's not really "clutch." That's "smart."

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Add to that the ability to block out the things that cause anti-clutchness. Anybody who has played competitive sports understands this to be true. Either you let your nerves get the best of you or you don't. Hell, goes beyond sports even.

I do think there are a chosen few who can heighten their performance when it matters most, baseball included. Volquez in the playoffs last year was 97-98 with his fastball, and his command was better than ever. He was a different pitcher. Other more obvious examples are the elite players like Michael Jordan. It's probably more about a razor like focus for a longer period of time than anything else.

suzzer99 · 08-15-2016, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

I always think of Calvin Schiraldi in the 1986 World Series. You could see in his eyes that he looked terrified.

John Starks taking FTs after Reggie Miller sank the 2 3s in 6 seconds.

BigCatDaddy · 08-15-2016, 08:29 PM

Ian Kennedy now 19th in the AL in ERA. 15 teams in the AL... looks like DM nailed this one.

ChiefsCountry · 08-15-2016, 09:17 PM

Royals big problem this year has been against the AL West. .333 winning percentage against the AL West. If we would have played .500 ball against them, we would have been on right in the AL Wildcard race.

Royals will be right around 85 wins IMO win the season ends.

KCFalcon59 · 08-15-2016, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Full disclosure: AO is my all-time favorite Royal.

I just pulled my copy of the 1984 Bill James Abstract off the shelf and re-read his wonderful essay on Otis, in which he addressed those fans for whom AO never could do enough to impress.

You wouldn't happen to have a link or know where I could read that article? Amos was also one of my favorites.

Nightfyre · 08-15-2016, 09:35 PM

The Royals need to just keep winning. I wouldn't count them out just yet. Especially if they call up arms at the roster expansion and they replace Gee in the fifth rotation spot. If the offense can get hot, that wouldn't hurt either. Gordon may have finally hit his stride. We could really use some help from hoz, kenmo, and salvy though.

Chiefspants · 08-15-2016, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

The Royals need to just keep winning. I wouldn't count them out just yet. Especially if they call up arms at the roster expansion and they replace Gee in the fifth rotation spot. If the offense can get hot, that wouldn't hurt either. Gordon may have finally hit his stride. We could really use some help from hoz, kenmo, and salvy though.

Who replaces Gee, though?

Weaknesses in the bullpen and in the fifth spot make me doubt that we have a sustainable run in us. But I thought the same thing in 2014 (for different reasons) and they shut me up with a 15-5.

tk13 · 08-15-2016, 09:47 PM

Orioles fans still bitter.

This Rally Mantis stuff is pretty stupid, but then again it's the only highlight the Royals will get this year.
— Orioles Insider (@orioles_insider) August 16, 2016

Nightfyre · 08-15-2016, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

Who replaces Gee, though?

Weaknesses in the bullpen and in the fifth spot make me doubt that we have a sustainable run in us. But I thought the same thing in 2014 (for different reasons) and they shut me up with a 15-5.

Minor is getting stretched out. We could also look at some of our prospects that are close. Mills or Junis perhaps.

Why Not? · 08-15-2016, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

The Royals need to just keep winning. I wouldn't count them out just yet. Especially if they call up arms at the roster expansion and they replace Gee in the fifth rotation spot. If the offense can get hot, that wouldn't hurt either. Gordon may have finally hit his stride. We could really use some help from hoz, kenmo, and salvy though.

Clearly I hope you're right. But the math is really stacked against them. I'm thinking, based on last year's Astros record, your looking at a minimum of 86 wins to get a WC. So, and forgive if my math is off by a tiny bit, but I believe we would need to finish on a 28-16 run. I'm just not sure this group has that in them this year. This is not to mention about 4-5 teams ahead of us would need to finish on a mediocre at best pace.

I will consider this year a decent success if we're watching at any point in September for a reason other than evaluating prospects. If we finish above .500, that's a good season. Lest we forget this team has barely finished on the right side of .500 at all over the past 3 decades. 4 years in a row, with a championship and a runner up in there, would be huge.

But, I'd love it if they did pull the miracle. And if so, look out. I don't want any part of the new Danny Duffy if I'm an opponent in a 1 game elimination scenario

CaliforniaChief · 08-15-2016, 10:10 PM

It's a long shot for sure, but I still believe. I would NEVER count these guys out.

KChiefs1 · 08-15-2016, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

Orioles fans still bitter.

This Rally Mantis stuff is pretty stupid, but then again it's the only highlight the Royals will get this year.
— Orioles Insider (@orioles_insider) August 16, 2016

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nightfyre · 08-15-2016, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why Not?

Clearly I hope you're right. But the math is really stacked against them. I'm thinking, based on last year's Astros record, your looking at a minimum of 86 wins to get a WC. So, and forgive if my math is off by a tiny bit, but I believe we would need to finish on a 28-16 run. I'm just not sure this group has that in them this year. This is not to mention about 4-5 teams ahead of us would need to finish on a mediocre at best pace.

I will consider this year a decent success if we're watching at any point in September for a reason other than evaluating prospects. If we finish above .500, that's a good season. Lest we forget this team has barely finished on the right side of .500 at all over the past 3 decades. 4 years in a row, with a championship and a runner up in there, would be huge.

But, I'd love it if they did pull the miracle. And if so, look out. I don't want any part of the new Danny Duffy if I'm an opponent in a 1 game elimination scenario

9-5 in August and 7-3 in the last ten games. Both are in line with a 28-16 finish. We also have six games against Cleveland and eight games against Detroit to do some damage and get back into the division race.

tk13 · 08-15-2016, 10:20 PM

We need to worry about getting to .500 first. I think we'd need some help at this point. But I agree we've learned to never give up on this team. I'd just like to see them keep chipping away and get over .500 at this point. I think we can do that though... especially if Gordon and Cain can hit and Duffy/Kennedy/Ventura pitch like they have.

The most optimistic argument you can make is our schedule is not too bad. We play the Twins and White Sox a lot this last month and a half. We've played pretty well against the division so far.

04-03-2016, 09:48 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-2009692	* Official 2016 Royals Repository, Version 1 * And so it begins: The Royals' second straight attempt to repeat as AL Champions, and first attempt to repeat as World Series champions. In this thread, we'll track all non-gameday action. Roster moves, prospect news, etc. I'll start the thread as usual, with division rivals thoughts. I still like KC to repeat as AL Central champs. Here's how I see the rest of it shaking out: 2) Indians - they have the pitching (and seem to have at least semi-Kluber-ed Cody Anderson, who added 3 mph to his fastball in the offseason). Will the offense hold up? I think this is a team that ends up looking a lot like the 2014 Royals. Francisco Lindor will solidify their IF defense over the full season, and is a help with the bat. I think this club is still a year away from really breaking through - the offense still has a lot of question marks - but I like them to nab a wildcard spot. Key Player(s): Michael Brantley. When Brantley returns - and how he hits when he does - will be critical to the Indians' ability to be good enough on offense. Jason Kipnis. Kipnis has been an enigmatic offensive performer for the past several years. If he finally has a good offensive campaign from start to finish, Cleveland could make real noise. Something of interest to me: For all the acclaim the Twins' farm system gets, I look at the Indians young players, and would much rather have them. Brad Zimmer is going to be a very good all-around CF. Clint Frazier has huge power potential and should arrive soon (2017). Lindor is a young stud. 3) Tigers - Old and dependent on a few stars. If Verlander and Sanchez are healthy and effective, they will be playoff contenders. I'm sure JD Martinez will continue to hit roid-aided bombs. I'm also pretty sure Victor Martinez's days as a huge power threat are gone. Key player: Justin Verlander. Detroit people would have you believe he figured out how to succeed without his big fastball in September of last year. If that's true, and he returns to dominant form, Detroit will likely contend again. Something of interest to me: Will Jose Iglesias stay healthy and not try to kill teammates in the dugout? His defense makes the whole group much better. 4) Twins - They won't lead the division or be in playoff contention for as long this year, but Minnesota will avoid the cellar. Key Player: Miguel Sano. Huge power, huge K rate. Can he continue to drive the ball and be a plus offensive player? Probably needs to cut that 35 percent K percentage to do so. Something of interest to me: Will teams challenge Sano inside with hard stuff? Working away, away, just lets his power play up. Also - will Mike Berardino continue to be the biggest beat writer homer in MLB? 5) White Sox - still managed by a shitty manager who can't control his clubhouse (The blame for the LaRoche thing really should fall on him, not the GM). Still have a shitty overall defense and a lot of douchebags on the team. They will once again look better on paper than they actually perform. Key player: Carlos Rodon. The White Sox need Rodon to take a big step forward to make an actual move this season. He's got the talent... And, as always, here are the prospects. Duncan’s Top 20 for 2016: Spoiler! 1. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, SS, BOTH: Tools, tools, tools. RA has tools galore. At his best, he’s an All-Star SS who plays elite D, hits 15-20 HR, swipes 40 bags, and is an ideal 1, 2 or 3 hitter. At his worst, I think he looks a lot like Alcides Escobar. Plate discipline is his biggest challenge at this point, but evaluators are confident that will come with time. Clear No. 1 2. Kyle Zimmer, RHP: He’s pitching again and staying healthy, which is nice. He’s pitcing out of the bullpen to build back his arm strength, which is less nice. But still has that high upside, just a lower floor now. Ideally, the team will use him as a bullpen weapon in September (because he has earned it) and then give him a chance to transition back to starting for 2016. 3. Bubba Starling, CF, RH: Starling has been up and down this year but put himself back on the map by greatly improving his K rate while also improving across the slash line as a hitter. His defense and baserunning are MLB ready; if Starling can work himself into a league average hitter, he can be a solid MLB regular who plays great D in CF while hitting 15 HR and swiping 20 bags. 4. Miguel Almonte, RHP: Still love the body, FB/CH combo. Results aren’t eye popping, but he’s still low enough and early enough in the development to prize those things over performance. Still a solid No. 3 starter upside, and just a year and some change away from potentially being ready to contribute at the MLB level. 5. Jorge Bonifacio, RF, RH: Emilio’s little brother got off to a horrible start in 2015 but has heated up as the season went on. He also is translating BP power to game power for the first time, with 15 HR just past the mid-way point of his season. Despite his disappointing 2014, he has a chance to build his way back into legit prospect status – and still is only 22. Next challenge for him should be Omaha, but that may wait for the start of the 2014 season. 6. Scott Blewett, RHP: Blewett has a nice two –pitch mix already and is off to a strong start. With his size (6-6) and a good fastball/curveball combo, Blewett could eventually turn into a good No. 3 starter, with a MLB-average changeup. 7. Nolan Watson, RHP: The Royals’ 2015 sandwich pick is a polished prep arm who is adding velocity and explosiveness to a good, polished base. Likely to move quickly. 8. Ashe Russell, RHP: The 2015 top pick probably needs more work than Watson, but the upside is really nice. Again, advanced two-pitch mix that will depend on him adding a changeup. Could be a very good NO. 2 if it all adds up. 9. Balbino Fuenmayor, 1B/DH, RH: The Balbino came out of basically nowhere in 2015 to earn a Futures Game spot. Big power and an improved two-strike approach have turned the late bloomer into a legit prospect. He’s blocked at the MLB level currently by Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales, but Fuenmayor’s combination of power hitting and good average/strike zone control makes him intriguing. 10. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, RH: Cheslor probably is not going to be the star KC was hoping for when signing him out of Nicaragua, but he does look like he can be a solid reserve for an MLB club. Good defense at 3B paired with a solid plate approach and some gap power plays fine off the bench. He becomes a lot more interesting if they think he can stick as a 2B, which they have experimented with. Spoiler! 11. Chase Vallot, C/DH/1B: I really like Vallot’s power and plate discipline combo. His bat will probably force him from behind the plate, but he’s held his own despite being extremely young for every level he has faced. 12. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado, OF, RH: Escalera-Maldonado earned a promotion to Wilmington at age 20, which is pretty advanced movement for that age. He’s an athletic outfielder who has shown some plate discipline at an early age, which is encouraging. Doesn’t sound like he can stick in CF long term for KC, but his bat has become one to watch. 13. Pedro Fernandez, RHP: I haven’t seen much of him, but like the reports I’ve heard on his fastball and general makeup. Could become the next Almonte/Mondesi, though he’s more likely to land in the pen than either of them. 14. Elier Hernandez, OF, RH: Elier Hernanez teamed with Escalera-Maldonado in breaking out at Low-A and earning a promotion to Wilmington. It’s still early for this guy – he is just 20 years old – but he doesn’t take walks and hasn’t developed the prodigious power many thought he had the potential for. Still worth watching. 15. Hunter Dozier, 3B, RH: Dozier is reworking his swing mid-season, which generally will cause production to do what his has done: Nose dive. The changes he made entering the season (seemingly geared towards increasing his power production) were a disaster, and now he’s trying to get back to what he used to be. Still looks great and checks most of the scouting boxes, but the performance hasn’t matched, and it almost knocked him out of the list. 16. Christian Binford, RHP: After a breakthrough 2014, Binford struggled mightily at AAA and suffered a demotion. His upside remains similar – a back-end starter who can eat innings – but Binford’s lack of velocity and reliance on command have caught up to him so far. 17. Marten Gasparini, OF, SH: Gasparini is intriguing because of his speed and athleticism. He’s a LOOOOONG ways from the majors and young for his level, but reports on his bat speed, swing, and speed remain positive enough to keep him on the bubble. 18. Eric Skoglund, LHP: Skoglund had a nice year at Wilmington. I'm skeptical because his K rate is lower than I like to see for a guy at A+ - just 7/9, and usually guys lose a strikeout or two/9 as they move up the chain from there - but he has excellent control, walking 1.17 batters/9. 6-7 lefties with great control who get lots of ground balls - like Skoglund - have a chance to overcome bad K rates. 19. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/LF: A lefty stick with power, O'Hearn was a savings signing as an 8th round pick, but a change in his approach increased his power - while increasing his K rate. After Vallot, probably the best pure power prospect in the Royals system. 20. Josh Staumont, RHP: I was terrified of this guy's control problems, and he walked nearly a batter an inning in his pro debut (32 BB in 40 1/3 IP). Staumont's nasty, nasty stuff (plus-plus fastball, plus slider) could make him a very good late-inning reliever who strikes out more than a batter an inning, if he can develop average or slightly below-average control. If he really masters the control, you're talking about a potential Greg Holland type, but that's a TALL task.
Posts: 22,401

08-15-2016, 04:00 PM	#4366
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	I thought Bill James wrote that Brett may be one of those exceptions but I can't remember. Years ago I listened to a national host out of NY and the topic was "Athletes you hate" and his was Brett because of all the clutch hits esp playoff games and Pine Tar etc.
Posts: 87,025

08-15-2016, 08:29 PM	#4369
BigCatDaddy The Beast Inside Your Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $-1680878	Ian Kennedy now 19th in the AL in ERA. 15 teams in the AL... looks like DM nailed this one.
Posts: 26,258

08-15-2016, 09:17 PM	#4370
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1471248	Royals big problem this year has been against the AL West. .333 winning percentage against the AL West. If we would have played .500 ball against them, we would have been on right in the AL Wildcard race. Royals will be right around 85 wins IMO win the season ends.
Posts: 52,056

08-15-2016, 09:35 PM	#4372
Nightfyre MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Helena, MT Casino cash: $1328849	The Royals need to just keep winning. I wouldn't count them out just yet. Especially if they call up arms at the roster expansion and they replace Gee in the fifth rotation spot. If the offense can get hot, that wouldn't hurt either. Gordon may have finally hit his stride. We could really use some help from hoz, kenmo, and salvy though.
Posts: 18,647

08-15-2016, 09:47 PM	#4374
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1777500	Orioles fans still bitter. This Rally Mantis stuff is pretty stupid, but then again it's the only highlight the Royals will get this year. — Orioles Insider (@orioles_insider) August 16, 2016
Posts: 56,668

08-15-2016, 10:10 PM	#4377
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10615899	It's a long shot for sure, but I still believe. I would NEVER count these guys out.
Posts: 17,455

08-15-2016, 10:20 PM	#4380
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1777500	We need to worry about getting to .500 first. I think we'd need some help at this point. But I agree we've learned to never give up on this team. I'd just like to see them keep chipping away and get over .500 at this point. I think we can do that though... especially if Gordon and Cain can hit and Duffy/Kennedy/Ventura pitch like they have. The most optimistic argument you can make is our schedule is not too bad. We play the Twins and White Sox a lot this last month and a half. We've played pretty well against the division so far.
Posts: 56,668