The OFFICIAL Royals vs. Tigers gamethread, chock full of ambivalence

[Bowser]

am·biv·a·lence (m-bv-lns) KEY

NOUN:

The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings, such as love and hate, toward a person, object, or idea.
Uncertainty or indecisiveness as to which course to follow.



Play ball, I guess.

[Bowser]

Duffy on the bump tonight. GO FUTURE

[KurtCobain]

FUTUUUUURE

[Dave Lane]

Back to the Future

[KCUnited]

Let's refrain from hitting the ball past the infield in honor of Kendall.

[Bowser]

Let's refrain from hitting the ball past the infield in honor of Kendall.

Can do! [/Yost]

[DeezNutz]

Let's refrain from hitting the ball past the infield in honor of Kendall.

Royal moments, with replacement-level Getz.

[KCUnited]

Props to the 8 people who showed up to sit behind home plate.

[stonedstooge]

Duffy throwing a bunch again

[Bowser]

Props to the 8 people who showed up to sit behind home plate.

Upgraded by FSN from the Hy-Vee view level seats.

[KCUnited]

Upgraded by FSN from the Hy-Vee view level seats.

Who came for the Friends In Low Places scoreboard opportunity.

[stonedstooge]

Who came for the Friends In Low Places scoreboard opportunity.

And the "All You Can Eat" seats

[Bowser]

Ah, Getz. Someone needs to explain "trade value" to you.

[stonedstooge]

Strange move with not throwing the ball

[stonedstooge]

7 pitches and not one in the strike zone

[GloryDayz]

Props to the 8 people who showed up to sit behind home plate.

Are you counting the catcher, Ump, and bat-boy?

[GloryDayz]

Well that was clear off the bat!

[Bowser]

:facepalm:

[MahiMike]

oh! I thought it said ambiance.

Carry on.

[KCUnited]

Out pitch, find one.

[stonedstooge]

Watching Duffy pitch is like laying back in the dentist's chair getting a tooth pulled

[Bowser]

oh! I thought it said ambiance.

Carry on.

Oh, it is. We have all the ambiance we need after Dufy served up a two run home run to a guy batting just over the Mendoza.

[DeezNutz]

Ah, Getz. Someone needs to explain "trade value" to you.

Why would he need an explanation about another player?

OK, in seriousness, it pisses me off that Getz plays at all. He's the very definition of a replacement-level player. 0.1 WAR in 2010, according to Baseball Reference. The really sad thing? Statistically, he's better offensively than defensively.

Getz as a place holder? Fine. But the seat is warm, and it's time for him to move along.

[GloryDayz]

That was a swing!

[Demonpenz]

Gobble looking solid!

[DeezNutz]

I can't wait to hear Chris Duffy tell the media how well he pitched tonight after giving up five in six innings.

Oh calm down, tk. This isn't "told you so" material.

[stonedstooge]

Duffy cruising. 5 innings and around 90 pitches

[Coach]

Got one back. 2-1 Detroit.

[stonedstooge]

Escobar has been a joy to watch this year

[Coach]

Escobar, sweet mama, great play!

[DeezNutz]

Good outing from Duffy.

[Coach]

Good outing from Duffy.

Not bad, given the situation he got himself into.

[Coach]

Hosmer is fantastic on the glove. Escobar got his ass saved there.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Wish the Royals had Scherzer. Mizzou pitchers belong in KC.

[Coach]

Sit your ass down.

[stonedstooge]

Nice catch Melkman

[Coach]

Nice D Melky.

[Coach]

Damn......

[stonedstooge]

Hosmer just a little too anxious

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Hosmer just a little too anxious

I keep thinking Hosmer is just trying too hard a lot of the time. He's a winner... he's used to winning and he wants to win NOW. It's a trait you want but he can't hit an 8 run homer every time the team is down. His talent is immense and when he learns to play within himself... let the game come to him... whatever cliche you want to use... he'll be a beast. My thought anyway.

[Demonpenz]

Hosmer Whips it!

[stonedstooge]

How long has it been since Coleman was a starting pitcher?

[stonedstooge]

Run for him Yost

[DeezNutz]

Good form there. Wow. Stab it harder.

[DeezNutz]

And the second effort is perfect.

[DeezNutz]

Fever, diligently polishing the Getz turd.

[Demonpenz]

Ryan has been off the chain lately

[DeezNutz]

Ryan has been off the chain lately

It's a tough job. I mean, how many people were really surprised to learn that a Royals announcer was literally depressed?

[Demonpenz]

Bipolar ? nahhh just full time depressed

[OnTheWarpath15]

LMAO

Sorry, but this is the best game thread ever.

Play ball, I guess.

[Demonpenz]

Ryan is in snark-mode

[KCUnited]

Benoit balls look nasty.

[stonedstooge]

I can see why Frank White takes games off. Dude would drive me friggin crazy

[DeezNutz]

And Melky strikes out.

Just three more outs until Fireworks Friday! 30 outs until Super Slushy Saturday! And 57 outs until Family Fun Run Sunday!

Aaaannddd there will be baseball, too.

[DeezNutz]

Chester camera time.

[stonedstooge]

Massages and Makeovers? WTF

[DeezNutz]

That was not an official All-Star baseball, so it shouldn't count.

[GloryDayz]

Oooooops.... Lucky swing!!

[Al Bundy]

Crow... game. That is all.

[stonedstooge]

Our All Star prepping for next week

[Coach]

Ladies and gentlemen, our lone All-Star repensitive!

[Bowser]

Hey now. You're an all-star. Get your game on. Go. Play.

[DeezNutz]

OH!!! That piece of shit doesn't run!!!! Soooo happy he's not a Royal.

[Demonpenz]

dc

[DeezNutz]

Are the stars representative of the HRs he's given up since being named to the team?

[Al Bundy]

We weren't going to win anyway, but Crow wanted to make sure there was no drama.

[GloryDayz]

So what's with the summertime beards all the cats are sporting? Seems silly!

[DeezNutz]

Balk!

[Bowser]

Balk!

*insert Frank White chuckle here*

[stonedstooge]

Wild pitch and Crow will have the cycle

[GloryDayz]

So, how often do those "in the dirt" balls make it back to the mound?

[DeezNutz]

*insert Frank White chuckle here*

I can tell that you're a man who can handle a bow.

[Bowser]

Wild pitch and Crow will have the cycle

Sabathia is praying to Jobu that Crow gives up jacks and errors everytime he goes out to pitch now, obviously.

[Bowser]

So, how often do those "in the dirt" balls make it back to the mound?

NTTIAWWT

[GloryDayz]

NTTIAWWT

LOL!

[Bowser]

I can tell that you're a man who can handle a bow.

And a Pepsi Max. Good Christ above, but I do loves me some Pepsi Max.

[stonedstooge]

Belly with another fine effort tonight

[Demonpenz]

give it a rest ryan.

[Al Bundy]

Belly with another fine effort tonight

I doubt he cares much. I am sure he wants off the teams to somewhere that he can play first base.

[KCUnited]

Valverde is due...in 8 weeks.

[Demonpenz]

Leland's favorite steakhouse is mulligans

[Bowser]

Nice hustle, Frenchy.

[GloryDayz]

A walk-off would be nice!

[stonedstooge]

Royals won these games at the start of the season

[GloryDayz]

I doubt he cares much. I am sure he wants off the teams to somewhere that he can play first base.

He might be able to compete for 1st in Omaha...

[stonedstooge]

Damn it

[GloryDayz]

Oh well...

[KCUnited]

Ass Fork Davies tomorrow.

See you guys on Sat.

[Al Bundy]

A walk-off would be nice!

It would have been... but no way does that happen with Moustakas at the plate. He is trying too hard to hit singles and just manage to stay up.

[Reaper16]

In other MLB news, apparently Josh Hamilton just accidentally killed a fan. He tossed this dude in the stands a ball, and the fan plummeted to his death trying to catch it.

[Bowser]

It would have been... but no way does that happen with Moustakas at the plate. He is trying too hard to hit singles and just manage to stay up.

Yeah, he may need to visit Omaha again, just to get his head right. It's obvious how hard he's pressing with his at bats.

[DeezNutz]

The Royals have announced that the rest of Davies' starts will coincide with fireworks and Buck Night, even on the road.

[Al Bundy]

Duffy deserved the loss, tossing a meatball to a crap hitter.

[Sfeihc]

Casper the friendly outfielder WTF are you doing? Papa Grande makes it interesting as usual. Go Tigers!

[DeezNutz]

This organization is a fucking joke. Duffy down, and Davies stays. I do not care about "keeping him on track."

Rest is more important. Absolute fucking embarrassment.

[Bowser]

This organization is a fucking joke. Duffy down, and Davies stays. I do not care about "keeping him on track."

Rest is more important. Absolute fucking embarrassment.

Whoa, what? Seriously, Duffy down?

[DeezNutz]

Whoa, what? Seriously, Duffy down?

Yes. Keeping him on schedule through the All-Star break because, you know, he doesn't need rest.

[Bowser]

Yes. Keeping him on schedule through the All-Star break because, you know, he doesn't need rest.

This calls for a full blown blowfish meltdown. I can hear DM right now - "He's young! Fuck his arm! It'll grow back!"


Shit on a stick, why do I follow this team of knuckleheads. I think I've gotten to the point where I hope the players succeed IN SPITE OF ownership and management.

[keg in kc]

Duffy's been on the bubble for being sent down for weeks, I don't think sending him down for some work is necessarily a bad idea, assuming it really is a short-term thing.

[Bowser]

Duffy's been on the bubble for being sent down for weeks, I don't think sending him down for some work is necessarily a bad idea, assuming it really is a short-term thing.

They said it's jsut for one start, so it's not like a complete demotion. Still, how about they keep Duffy up and let his confidence build and send Moose down. You know, the guy that is most obviously struggling. We do have Aviles to keep the seat warm for him.

[Reaper16]

I don't really mind Duffy being optioned so that he stays on schedule, but the break might have been a nice thing for him. After all, I imagine that he'll be shut down for September (he's going to have thrown way more innings (and especially pitches) this season than in his previous seasons.

[DeezNutz]

This is all about actions speaking louder than words. Never again do I want to hear one idiot in this organization's front office talk about a "winning culture."

The worst pitcher in baseball history, literally, continues to get the ball, while Duffy is going to play pinball--something DM specifically said he wanted to avoid with the prospects. There is no question, none, that Duffy is one of the three most talented starters, and he's not over-matched. His learning should come entirely at the ML level.

Is this the end of the world? No. But it's yet one more symptom of the larger disease of suck that continues to plague the organization.

[Demonpenz]

This is all about actions speaking louder than words. Never again do I want to hear one idiot in this organization's front office talk about a "winning culture."

The worst pitcher in baseball history, literally, continues to get the ball, while Duffy is going to play pinball--something DM specifically said he wanted to avoid with the prospects. There is no question, none, that Duffy is one of the three most talented starters, and he's not over-matched. His learning should come entirely at the ML level.

Is this the end of the world? No. But it's yet one more symptom of the larger disease of suck that continues to plague the organization.


yeep

[Reaper16]

This is all about actions speaking louder than words. Never again do I want to hear one idiot in this organization's front office talk about a "winning culture."

The worst pitcher in baseball history, literally, continues to get the ball, while Duffy is going to play pinball--something DM specifically said he wanted to avoid with the prospects. There is no question, none, that Duffy is one of the three most talented starters, and he's not over-matched. His learning should come entirely at the ML level.

Is this the end of the world? No. But it's yet one more symptom of the larger disease of suck that continues to plague the organization.
You're overselling it, I feel. This is entirely an issue of whether the organization wants their pitcher to pitch on schedule during the ASB or not. That's it. From what I understand, this isn't an uncommon practice.

[noa]

I think what's more disconcerting than them sending Duffy down to keep him on schedule is that Kyle Davies is somehow still on this team.

[Reaper16]

I think what's more disconcerting than them sending Duffy down to keep him on schedule is that Kyle Davies is somehow still on this team.
Those are unrelated things.

[Tactical Funky]

They're simply sending Duffy down to keep him on a regular pitching schedule due to the ASB. I'm fine with it.

But yeah, Davies still needs to GTFO.

[58kcfan89]

They're simply sending Duffy down to keep him on a regular pitching schedule due to the ASB. I'm fine with it.

But yeah, Davies still needs to GTFO.

Wasn't the whole point of a 6 man rotation to limit Duffy's innings? Fuck you, Davies.

[keg in kc]

You're overselling it, I feel. This is entirely an issue of whether the organization wants their pitcher to pitch on schedule during the ASB or not. That's it. From what I understand, this isn't an uncommon practice.I agree. It's one start.

Davies is an unrelated abortion.

[DeezNutz]

I agree. It's one start.

Davies is an unrelated abortion.

I think all moves at the ML level are related. After all, it's about doing everything possible to establish a "winning culture" and (dare we dream??) to win games.

Moore is contradicting himself and ensuring regular starts for a player whom we should be shutting down in September anyway.

It's all stupid. Every single part of it.

[keg in kc]

There's the age old question of "if not davies than who?"

[DeezNutz]

There's the age old question of "if not davies than who?"

Definitely. With our loaded roster, it's difficult to identify areas of weakness.

[BigCatDaddy]

There's the age old question of "if not davies than who?"

Then you use a normal 5 man rotation?

[keg in kc]

Definitely. With our loaded roster, it's difficult to identify areas of weakness.It was a purely practical comment: who would pitch in Davies place? I mean, I don't want him here either, but who or what do they replace him with...

It sort of reminds me of Huard/Croyle/Thigpen. As in there isn't a good solution. The problem isn't as much about having him on the roster now, it's putting him there months ago. They'd need a Delorean to fix what's wrong with the pitching staff right now.

[DeezNutz]

It was a purely practical comment: who would pitch in Davies place? I mean, I don't want him here either, but who or what do they replace him with...


Well, then this answer is simple: anyone. Anyone would literally be better because Davies is literally the worst pitcher in baseball history to accumulate 700+ innings.

[keg in kc]

Well, then this answer is simple: anyone. Anyone would literally be better because Davies is literally the worst pitcher in baseball history to accumulate 700+ innings.You still miss the point.

The problem with the starting rotation is not that Davies is in it. The problem with the starting rotation is the entire starting rotation. With Davies. Without Davies. Makes no difference. They suck either way. Send him down. That's fine. They're still going to lose, because if if they replace him with somebody "better", it's like swapping Hepatitis C for Hepatitis B. I mean, sure, it's technically "better", you've got a vaccine for that one at least, but, you know, you've still got Hepatitis.

[Bowser]

You still miss the point.

The problem with the starting rotation is not that Davies is in it. The problem with the starting rotation is the entire starting rotation. With Davies. Without Davies. Makes no difference. They suck either way. Send him down. That's fine. They're still going to lose, because if if they replace him with somebody "better", it's like swapping Hepatitis C for Hepatitis B. I mean, sure, it's technically "better", you've got a vaccine for that one at least, but, you know, you've still got Hepatitis.

To use your analogy, keeping Duffy up would be like watching the cure for Hepatitis grow in the petri dish. And just the fact that I've got to sit and watch Davies be a starting pitcher for this team makes me pissy. If ever there were a guy that should be a bullpen guy at best, it's Davies. He's proven that, over and over.

Basically, we're all frustrated about that same rendundant thing, we're just expressing it in different ways.

[DeezNutz]

You still miss the point.

The problem with the starting rotation is not that Davies is in it. The problem with the starting rotation is the entire starting rotation. With Davies. Without Davies. Makes no difference. They suck either way. Send him down. That's fine. They're still going to lose, because if if they replace him with somebody "better", it's like swapping Hepatitis C for Hepatitis B. I mean, sure, it's technically "better", you've got a vaccine for that one at least, but, you know, you've still got Hepatitis.

I know what you're saying, and you're right in a sense.

My point, however, is that Davies' presence on the roster sends a ridiculously poor message to all of the "stars" that we hope to be grooming.

You suck? No worries! You're an historically bad piece of shit? No worries whatsoever! Hell, we'll even take unconventional steps to ensure that you have a place on this team!

Winning culture!!! Which is, as I've always said, a complete farce. But I don't expect my GM to rub my face in it.

[keg in kc]

Like I said, replace him with who. Replacing one Davies with another is still replacing one loser with another. There's no "winning culture" replacement available. It's not like there's a bevy of aces in Omaha or something. The Delorean is the only real resolution, go back to January and pay some other pitchers.

[DeezNutz]

Like I said, replace him with who. Replacing one Davies with another is still replacing one loser with another. There's no "winning culture" replacement available. It's not like there's a bevy of aces in Omaha or something. The Delorean is the only real resolution, go back to January and pay some other pitchers.

You could pretty much justify anyone other than Davies. Suppan as the "vet. presence" to teach the young guys. He could suck worse than Davies, and there would at least be a legit. reason to sell the other players on.

Davies cannot and should not be on the roster at this point.

[keg in kc]

Suppan, Davies, anybody else in Omaha you want to name, makes absolutely no difference which one is in the KC rotation. This is something pretty pointless to get bent out of shape about. Because the problem isn't really that it's Davies, the problem is that there isn't anybody better for them to plug in, and that Davies was/is there to begin with. And this is a problem that every single one of us has known about for months and months and months.

[DeezNutz]

What level of suck is OK? The answer that Davies' presence on the roster sends is "any." Is this acceptable? No big deal?

You're clearly one of the more rationale/knowledgeable fans, and I like to think that I'm part of this constituency, too. However, at times I think we've been too trained not to think about results at the ML level, and these matter. Not to the extent that we should be jumping off buildings, but they matter nonetheless.

[keg in kc]

What level of suck is OK? The answer that Davies' presence on the roster sends is "any." Is this acceptable? No big deal?

You're clearly one of the more rationale/knowledgeable fans, and I like to think that I'm part of this constituency, too. However, at times I think we've been too trained not to think about results at the ML level, and these matter. Not to the extent that we should be jumping off buildings, but they matter nonetheless.I'm not saying the results don't matter. I'm saying the results won't change if Davies is demoted and replaced by somebody just as bad. Which is exactly what would happen. That's the whole point behind asking who would replace him. They made their bed during the offseason, dropped a cigarette on it, and now the walls are on fire around them. Pissing on the walls with a token demotion isn't going to put the fire out.

[DeezNutz]

I'm not saying the results don't matter. I'm saying the results won't change if Davies is demoted and replaced by somebody just as bad. Which is exactly what would happen. That's the whole point behind asking who would replace him. They made their bed during the offseason, dropped a cigarette on it, and now the walls are on fire around them. Pissing on the walls with a token demotion isn't going to put the fire out.

This person doesn't exist, or, more precisely, has never existed in baseball history.

[keg in kc]

This person doesn't exist, or, more precisely, has never existed in baseball history.I think you're taking that a little far. Even so, statistically better than Davies does not equal good, or necessarily even equal improvement over Davies.

In any case, my argument isn't in any way defending Davies or the Royals, it's simply stating that there are no real options. There's just varying degrees of bad, because of bad decisions made months ago. Davies is bad. Anybody put in Davies place is going to be bad. Not much of a difference there, and really nothing much to do about it now.

[gblowfish]

Maybe we can get Eduardo Villacis back from the Chisox. We have a series in Yankee Stadium coming up later in the year....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduardo_Villacis

[Demonpenz]

story I found funny on the Michelle Beadle podcast was Linda Cohn going up to John Hamm (of Mad Men fame) and being nervous. John Hamm was a fan of Linda Cohn! He said they had met before but she didn't remember. I am sure she Swooned at ole Don Draper himself putting on the charm to "Lady Mets fan Linda Cohn"

[Infidel Goat]

Then you use a normal 5 man rotation?

That's the correct answer, I think.

Chen
Duffy
Francis
Hochevar
Paulino

Hochevar is the only one of that group with an ERA over 5 (and it's 5.17).

Isn't that better than trotting out Mr. 7.77 ERA every sixth day?