*** Official Kansas City Royals @ Detroit Tigers 04/02 Game Thread ***

[duncan_idaho]

<table border=3 cellpadding = 4>
<tr><td>Score</td> <td> 1 </td> <td> 2 </td><td> 3 </td><td> 4 </td><td> 5 </td><td> 6 </td><td> 7 </td><td> 8 </td><td> 9 </td><td> R </td><td> H </td><td> E </td></tr>
<tr> <td> KC (0-1) </td> <td> 0 </td> <td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0</td><td> 0 </td></tr>
<tr> <td> DET (1-0) </td> <td> 0 </td> <td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td></tr>
</table>

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/images/logos/80x80/kc.png
Jason Vargas

vs.

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/images/logos/80x80/det.png
Max Scherzer

Starting Lineups (Projected)

KC

1. Norichika Aoki, RF
2. Omar Infante, 2B
3. Eric Hosmer, 1B
4. Billy Butler, DH
5. Alex Gordon, LF
6. Salvador Perez, C
7. Mike Moustakas, 3B
8. Lorenzo Cain, CF
9. Alcides Escobar, SS

DET

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Tyler Collins, LF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Torii Hunter RF
6. Austin Jackson, CF
7. Alex Avila, C
8. Nick Castellanos, 3B
9. Alex S. Gonzalez, SS

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Get 'em boys

[TLO]

I like the six star approach. Might be the kind of mojo we need!

[Canofbier]

It's a David vs. Goliath sort of situation on the mound this afternoon; let's hope that today's game is biblical!

[KCUnited]

Dang, afternoon games all week.

[Nickel D]

Today's my one to win: Hoz

[BlackHelicopters]

Let's do this!

[Unsmooth-Moment]

It's a David vs. Goliath sort of situation on the mound this afternoon; let's hope that today's game is biblical!

this

[blake5676]

Dang, afternoon games all week.

I saw that as well when I looked yesterday. Even the Friday and Saturday games. Looking forward to my summer routine of getting home from work, throwing some meat on the grill and watching the boys in blue on a nightly basis.

[Sfeihc]

Tigers lineup today against the lefty Vargas;

2B Kinsler
LF Collins
1B Cabrera
DH Martinez
RF Hunter
CF Jackson
C Avila
3B Castellanos
SS Gonzalez

SP Scherzer

[CaliforniaChief]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Louis Coleman is supposed to throw a &quot;high intensity&quot; bullpen session today. Also, the Royals internal emails refer to him as &quot;Harold.&quot;</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/451373910823424000">April 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

LMAO

[TLO]

Looks like the weather will be pretty decent in Detroit today.

[duncan_idaho]

Tigers lineup today against the lefty Vargas;

2B Kinsler
LF Collins
1B Cabrera
DH Martinez
RF Hunter
CF Jackson
C Avila
3B Castellanos
SS Gonzalez

SP Scherzer

OP updated.

I'm kind of shocked they're not playing Davis against a LH pitcher. That's what they brought him in for...

[WhawhaWhat]

OP updated.

I'm kind of shocked they're not playing Davis against a LH pitcher. That's what they brought him in for...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Tigers have LH Tyler Collins in LF instead of Rajai Davis. Collins hits 2nd, moves Hunter to 5th. Davis 1-11 vs Vargas</p>&mdash; Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldbergkc/statuses/451358830522163200">April 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Dartgod]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Louis Coleman is supposed to throw a &quot;high intensity&quot; bullpen session today. Also, the Royals internal emails refer to him as &quot;Harold.&quot;</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/451373910823424000">April 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

LMAO

OK, I must be dense. Why is this funny?

[CaliforniaChief]

OK, I must be dense. Why is this funny?

It's just the way he tweets. Harold's his real first name. I found it funny. Probably more a problem with me than you. :D

[Sfeihc]

Looks like the weather will be pretty decent in Detroit today.

43 and mostly sunny @ 11:47 AM

[Bowser]

Game threads now with the patented alnorth font!

[texaschiefsfan]

Did we lose yet? I'm looking forward to the "Hey, it's only been two games" post.

[Ceej]

Just clocked out.

Love getting off work at 11am.

[Bowser]

Just clocked out.

Love getting off work at 11am.

Yeah, but the alarm going off that early sucks the ass (I'm assuming you get up in the middle of no man's land night to go to work).

[Ceej]

Yeah, but the alarm going off that early sucks the ass (I'm assuming you get up in the middle of no man's land night to go to work).

LMAO

I wake up when people are leaving the bar.

[milkman]

Who the hell is Aoki Norichika?

[Sfeihc]

Who the hell is Aoki Norichika?

Moore traded the Fresh Prince of KC for him.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Does anybody have a stream for this game?

[eDave]

Does anybody have a stream for this game?

http://www.strikeout.co/baseball/218792/1/detroit-tigers-vs-kansas-city-royals-live-stream-online.html

http://www.vipboxus.co/

[Mama Hip Rockets]

http://www.strikeout.co/baseball/218792/1/detroit-tigers-vs-kansas-city-royals-live-stream-online.html

http://www.vipboxus.co/

Thanks, dude!

[TLO]

Just looking at Rex makes me laugh.

[C3HIEF3S]

Bet we get a look at the new alternates this game.

[KCUnited]

First in with the "He crushed that, but right at him" post.

[Sfeihc]

Just looking at Rex makes me laugh.

I was just going to ask, How do you guys handle listening to Rex all season?

[BlackHelicopters]

Be Royal

[BlackHelicopters]

I was just going to ask, How do you guys handle listening to Rex all season?

Drugs

[Bowser]

First in with the "He crushed that, but right at him" post.

"All three of these guys should have hit home runs..."

[Sfeihc]

Drugs

Makes sense. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

[C3HIEF3S]

I was just going to ask, How do you guys handle listening to Rex all season?

I don't hate him too terribly much personally. He's goofy, a bit annoying, kind of weird, and frankly just comes across as odd, but he knows his stuff.

Ryan and Physioc are the one's I can't stand. No emotion when commentating, i'm not asking for Hawk Harrelson in the booth, just give me some signs of life.

[Ceej]

Let's fuck some shit up.

[CaliforniaChief]

Aoki owes us like 4 walks after Monday's performance.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

A leadoff man walking? What is this?

[BlackHelicopters]

Lead off walk.

[TLO]

WALK BABY YEAH!

[CaliforniaChief]

Looks like Detroit laid down the quicksand again. HTF do they get away with that?

[Sfeihc]

Looks like Scherzer should have taken that $144 million says all the snarky tigers fans on my twitter feed.

[Sfeihc]

Looks like Detroit laid down the quicksand again. HTF do they get away with that?

They've been doing that since at least when Sparky took over as the manager.

[CaliforniaChief]

To be technical, Scherzer isn't pausing in his stretch. Should be a balk.

[TLO]

Oh baby.

[BlackHelicopters]

Two on.

[CaliforniaChief]

Nice work. Just like it's designed. Time to cash it in.

[CaliforniaChief]

Not what I wanted, but at least he got Aoki to 3rd.

[TLO]

Billy Butler double play coming up.

[Ceej]

Oh no..

[CaliforniaChief]

2-0. Gotta elevate one here.

[AndChiefs]

Stupid Butler.

[Ceej]

LMAO

[Canofbier]

Billy Butler double play coming up.

:facepalm:

[CaliforniaChief]

:facepalm:

[BlackHelicopters]

DP fat Belly

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Billy Butler double play coming up.

Your fault, dingleberry.

[Sfeihc]

Billy Butler double play coming up.

You called it.

[siberian khatru]

GOD FUCKING DAMMIT

[petegz28]

:facepalm:

[AndChiefs]

:facepalm:

Everyone saw it coming.

[Walrus]

What the fuck? 3-0 DP ball.

[TLO]

Sigh.

[Mr. Arrowhead]

are you fucking serious fatass

[Stanley Nickels]

Thanks, Billy! Best start we could've hoped for, and you dun Billy'd it.

[Jerm]

Brilliant...guy can't hit the strike zone for shit so let's swing away on 3-0...

[BlackHelicopters]

Billy Butler double play coming up.

:facepalm:

[petegz28]

So runner in scoring position, Pitcher struggling to throw strikes, 1 out and fucking fat ass the DP Machine swings at a 3-0 pitch to end the inning......

[RockChalk]

I'm surprised some of you act shocked. Worst fucking everyday lineup cleanup hitter in the league

[-King-]

Me and 2 people I'm watching called that double play. Even on 3-0 you fan count on billay to hit them.
Posted via Mobile Device

[kcjayhawks5]

Fuckin horse shit

[kcjayhawks5]

Typical royals baseball

[Sfeihc]

So runner in scoring position, Pitcher struggling to throw strikes, 1 out and ****ing fat ass the DP Machine swings at a 3-0 pitch to end the inning......

Right, 3-0 count and that is what happens. Scherzer couldn't have thrown three straight strikes there with the way he was tossing it.

[Stanley Nickels]

Tigers announcers (the only stream I can find) poking at Billy. "Tigers with some great fortune after Billy Butler dings a 3-0 pitch to short."

[Jerm]

Time to move Butler out of the 4 hole...

[blake1771]

so much for getting after Scherzer early

[CaliforniaChief]

It's not often Scherzer is off his game like that. Just unforgivable.

[KCCHIEFS27]

That's our DH. He works exclusively on hitting. And gives us that on a 3-0 count against a pitcher who clearly does not have his control.

[petegz28]

so let's recap Billay's fabulous start to the season...

2 ground balls to the 2nd baseman
1 single
2 ground balls to the SS and a DP

It's like it's still 2013

[petegz28]

That's our DH. He works exclusively on hitting. And gives us that on a 3-0 count against a pitcher who clearly does not have his control.

Yesterday I said Butler should have a green light on 3-0 but wtf kind of baseball discipline is he lacking? WTF would you swing 3-0 when you are 1 pitch away from loading the bases for Gordon??

[TLO]

Vargas looks good early.

[BlackHelicopters]

3 up, 3 down. Nice.

[CaliforniaChief]

Nice pitch. Like what I saw from Vargas there.

[AndChiefs]

Yesterday I said Butler should have a green light on 3-0 but wtf kind of baseball discipline is he lacking? WTF would you swing 3-0 when you are 1 pitch away from loading the bases for Gordon??

You knew he would.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Way to go, Vargie.

[Three7s]

Yesterday I said Butler should have a green light on 3-0 but wtf kind of baseball discipline is he lacking? WTF would you swing 3-0 when you are 1 pitch away from loading the bases for Gordon??
I'm following on gamecast, so I don't know what kind of pitch it was, but it sounds like he rolled over on a changeup or 2-seam fastball? If so, then he seriously lack pitch recognition.

[KCUnited]

Like the confidence our guys are showing on 3-0 this year.

[Sfeihc]

I think Vargas will be a sneaky good signing for the Royals. He will give them quality innings without breaking the bank.

[CaliforniaChief]

Tigers Network showing Scherzer struggling in his pre-game bullpen session.

[KCCHIEFS27]

Yesterday I said Butler should have a green light on 3-0 but wtf kind of baseball discipline is he lacking? WTF would you swing 3-0 when you are 1 pitch away from loading the bases for Gordon??

With 1 out. Typically he doesn't make terrible decisions like that. Maybe he didn't get his Denny's breakfast this morning??

[KCCHIEFS27]

Now Scherzer will probably retire 16 straight or something like that

[AndChiefs]

Now Scherzer will probably retire 16 straight or something like that

We're on our way.

[CaliforniaChief]

Dammit Salvy, stop making outs.

[petegz28]

I'm following on gamecast, so I don't know what kind of pitch it was, but it sounds like he rolled over on a changeup or 2-seam fastball? If so, then he seriously lack pitch recognition.

It was a strike but it was the 1st strike in 4 pitches that he saw after watching the pitcher struggle with every batter in front of him. He never should have swung the bat.

Had the bases been empty or no one in scoring position then go ahead.

[CaliforniaChief]

Moose...LMAO

[TLO]

Well poop.

[BlackHelicopters]

Weak sauce

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Salvy's perfect season has ended. The dream is dead.

[CaliforniaChief]

Here we go. Scherzer's off the hook, quick 2nd inning.

It is IMPERATIVE that we work the count in the 3rd. Gotta get his pitch count up like we did to Verlander.

[petegz28]

The Butler AB reminds me of a terrible AB a few years ago where the pitcher just walked the 1st guy on 4 straight pitches then walked the next on 5 and our 3rd batter bunts at the 1st pitch he sees.

Frank White's comment was " I don't take the bat off my should until this guy throws a strike"

Butler should have done the same. He should have made the pitcher do something he was struggling to do before ever swinging the fucking bat

[TLO]

You'd think they could find some less goofy looking people to make a Hyvee commercial.

[Deberg_1990]

Same Ole Royals

[petegz28]

And yes, FTR, I am already on the "trade Butler" bandwagon like I have been for the last 3 years. The occasional seeing eye single or who gives a fuck HR isn't enough to keep him around.

[Pablo]

Same ol' Deberg post.

[petegz28]

Ha ha ha, guy I work with asked if Frank Haith was the new coach of the Royals!

[CaliforniaChief]

Vargas' control, our defense, and the K is going to make Vargas a nice weapon.

[TLO]

Vargas looks good.

[TLO]

6 up 6 down

[BlackHelicopters]

Vargas dealing

[CaliforniaChief]

Nice work, Vargas. Very nice.

Trust your defense.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Vargas rules.

[petegz28]

Good pitching. We're going to need it, obviously

[blake1771]

And yes, FTR, I am already on the "trade Butler" bandwagon like I have been for the last 3 years. The occasional seeing eye single or who gives a **** HR isn't enough to keep him around.


problem is who is in the market for a slow, fat, DH who doesn't hit home runs and is a liability at first if asked to play defensively?

you immediately rule out ALL NL teams. and not many AL teams are gonna want a DH with no pop.

[BlackHelicopters]

Make Max throw more than 9 pitches

[BlackHelicopters]

2 pitches, one out.

[WhawhaWhat]

problem is who is in the market for a slow, fat, DH who doesn't hit home runs and is a liability at first if asked to play defensively?

you immediately rule out ALL NL teams. and not many AL teams are gonna want a DH with no pop.

However the Royals will probably pick up his option by the All-Star break.

[CaliforniaChief]

Gotta work the count, guys!!!

[TLO]

Pitchers duel thus far.

[KCCHIEFS27]

http://natslose100.webs.com/marbles4.jpg

[CaliforniaChief]

Aoki's gonna exceed his career strikeout total by the end of May.

At least he made Scherzer work for it.

[Ceej]

That looked like a little league softball swing.

[blake1771]

i realize it's early, but Aoki looks like shit at the plate so far. no way you take that last pitch with 2 strikes. ugggh

[petegz28]

However the Royals will probably pick up his option by the All-Star break.

Probably. I mean why not? They guy is your DH and with the exception of a low linedrive up he middle for a whopping single, he has yet to hit a ball in the ****ing air.

[kcjayhawks5]

I'm puking...

[keg in kc]

Butler just killed the Royals in the first with that double play. Hitters can't do shit right now.

[BlackHelicopters]

Max sets down eight in a row

[BlackHelicopters]

This is nauseating

[petegz28]

i realize it's early, but Aoki looks like shit at the plate so far. no way you take that last pitch with 2 strikes. ugggh

Hey, look at it this way...he allowed us to move Gordon from 1st to 5th so Gordon can lead off the 2nd inning!!!! You know, and get to the plate more and what not. :spock:

[AndChiefs]

And here it comes.

[petegz28]

leadoff walk....

[BlackHelicopters]

Vargie with a walk.

[kcjayhawks5]

Play good baseball...

[Mama Hip Rockets]

We're 12 innings into the season, people. Calm down.

[Sannyasi]

At least Aoki worked the count for 8 pitches in that last at bat. If all of our hitters had done that Scherzer would be in some trouble.

[petegz28]

We're 12 innings into the season, people. Calm down.

And some of our "veterans" are still making the same stupid mistakes they have the last several years.

To be more specific, Butler looks exactly like he did last year. Exactly. And he apparently hasn't gotten any smarter either.

[Discuss Thrower]

I hope Vargas doesn't do something dumb like throw a no hitter after I put him on waivers..

[duncan_idaho]

They really need to stop walking Alex Avila. He's not good enough to draw walks in 3 straight ABs. Challenge the guy and make him swing the damn bat.

[kcjayhawks5]

And some of our "veterans" are still making the same stupid mistakes they have the last several years.

To be more specific, Butler looks exactly like he did last year. Exactly. And he apparently hasn't gotten any smarter either.

Yup. Moose, hosmer, and Escobar all look exactly the same so far as well. But no worries we'll get it all figured out by mid-June.

[petegz28]

At least Aoki worked the count for 8 pitches in that last at bat. If all of our hitters had done that Scherzer would be in some trouble.

Cain was an early swinger Monday in hist 1st AB too when he shouldn't have been. I have to wonder WTF these guys get told by our coaches because we seem to make the same bad in-game decisions year after year.

[alnorth]

I like the six star approach. Might be the kind of mojo we need!

I've rebelled against using stars for years even though its CP standard, but my record last year sucked so bad, I had to change.

[BlackHelicopters]

Salvy!!!

[TLO]

Running on Salvy = dumb

[petegz28]

Yup. Moose, hosmer, and Escobar all look exactly the same so far as well. But no worries we'll get it all figured out by mid-June.

I'm not worried about Hosmer and not so worried about Moose. Escobar is not there for his bat and I will live with that considering the runs he makes on defense. I am talking about Butler and his lack of plate or situational discipline.

[CaliforniaChief]

***Confidential: Tigers Scouting Report***

We think Gordon and Perez aren't really that good defensively, and encourage you to run at will on both of them.

[BlackHelicopters]

Why run there?

[AndChiefs]

***Confidential: Tigers Scouting Report***

We think Gordon and Perez aren't really that good defensively, and encourage you to run at will on both of them.

I'd agree with this assessment.

[Deberg_1990]

on the bright side, its looking like Dayton and Ned will be gone after this year.

[duncan_idaho]

Guys with 5-6 AB are less than 1 percent of the way into their seasons.

In NFL terms, the Royals are less than minutes into the first quarter of the season. Some of you guys could calm down a little...

Or not. It's not like the Royals have given a reason to earn benefit of the doubt.

[BlackHelicopters]

A hit. There's a novelty

[RockChalk]

Guys with 5-6 AB are less than 1 percent of the way into their seasons.

In NFL terms, the Royals are less than minutes into the first quarter of the season. Some of you guys could calm down a little...

Or not. It's not like the Royals have given a reason to earn benefit of the doubt.

I think people are just really sick of our fat-ass DH (who has one job) doing the same thing he always does, over and over again.

Edit: shocking, he hit into another double play as I was posting this

[Sannyasi]

Its just not Billy's day.

[BlackHelicopters]

Billay DP

[AndChiefs]

Guys with 5-6 AB are less than 1 percent of the way into their seasons.

In NFL terms, the Royals are less than minutes into the first quarter of the season. Some of you guys could calm down a little...

Or not. It's not like the Royals have given a reason to earn benefit of the doubt.

BURN HIM!

[petegz28]

JFC, Butler

[stonedstooge]

Welp, at least I didn't have to run/Belly

[TLO]

Moar double plays!

[Pablo]

Bad day for breakfast.

[Sannyasi]

...You guys are really going to blame that one on him? That was a well-hit ball.

[petegz28]

Butler, 1-6 with 2 DP's.....

[alnorth]

well, LIDP >>> GIDP

[RockChalk]

2 pitches, 2 DP's. Can he make it 3 straight swings with 3 DP's here in a few innings?

[Bowser]

Butlerlol

[CaliforniaChief]

Yeah he scalded that one. The first one was God-awful. That was just bad baseball luck.

[Three7s]

Butler, still hitting too many ground balls.

[duncan_idaho]

I think people are just really sick of our fat-ass DH (who has one job) doing the same thing he always does, over and over again.

I'm aware of this team's obsession with hating Billy Butler for hitting into double plays.

The number of twin killings he hits into has little to do with the type of shape he's in. It's more about where he hits in the lineup and his high contact rates.

Guys who hit with a lot of guys on base and who consistently put the ball in play are going to hit into double plays, whether they look like Dustin Pedroia or Matt Holliday or Billy Butler.

[stonedstooge]

shit

[AndChiefs]

Well, game over.

[alnorth]

Butler hit the ball pretty hard right to guys on Monday, too. Those things will find holes eventually.

[BlackHelicopters]

Shit

[Chiefspants]

http://i.imgur.com/ywAruAG.png

[BlackHelicopters]

Game. Over.

[KevB]

Butler hit the ball pretty hard right to guys on Monday, too. Those things will find holes eventually.

I haven't been able to watch yet, are they hard hit ground balls or line drive/fly balls?

[Bowser]

http://i.imgur.com/ywAruAG.png

LMAO

[petegz28]

Butler hit the ball pretty hard right to guys on Monday, too. Those things will find holes eventually.

Maybe he should try hitting them in the fucking air for once??? They tend to get out of the infield a little easier that way.

[Discuss Thrower]

I haven't been able to watch yet, are they hard hit ground balls or line drive/fly balls?

The last one was a rip that pulled Miggy right onto the bag to turn the play.

[Bowser]

I haven't been able to watch yet, are they hard hit ground balls or line drive/fly balls?

He blasted the one to Cabrerra, but it was right at him as he was holding Hosmer on the base. Instant DP.

[petegz28]

I haven't been able to watch yet, are they hard hit ground balls or line drive/fly balls?

He has had 2 balls he hit good, 1 Monday that was a single and that line drive to 1st. The rest have been nothing more than routine ground balls on the infield.

[duncan_idaho]

I haven't been able to watch yet, are they hard hit ground balls or line drive/fly balls?

His first double play today was a case of rolling over on an outside fastball at the knees (that he needed to try to drive to RCF).

The second one was a rocket that's either a 2B or a foul ball if Miguel Cabrera is not holding a runner on at first base.

He had a couple of scalded grounders on Monday right at guys, too. Those will even out as the year goes on.

[nychief]

detroit is burning!

[KevB]

His first double play today was a case of rolling over on an outside fastball at the knees (that he needed to try to drive to RCF).

When he's going well, that's exactly what he does (drives balls to the gaps). I guess we'll all need to keep in mind that the first two opposing pitchers are Cy Young award winners.

[duncan_idaho]

Maybe he should try hitting them in the ****ing air for once??? They tend to get out of the infield a little easier that way.

That's a great way to hit a lot of pop-ups.

If you're trying to elevate good fastballs over the outside part of the plate rather than going with the pitch, you're going to hit a lot of popups if you start trying to elevate your swing.

That's been Mike Moustakas's biggest problem as a major league player.

[Discuss Thrower]

detroit is burning!

Nah, it's just Jim Leyland watching from a roof top.

[BlackHelicopters]

detroit is burning!

Best thing. For the shithole of a city, really.

[RockChalk]

Nah, it's just Jim Leyland watching from a roof top.

LMAO

[duncan_idaho]

When he's going well, that's exactly what he does (drives balls to the gaps). I guess we'll all need to keep in mind that the first two opposing pitchers are Cy Young award winners.

Yeah, that might be helpful.

Verlander and Scherzer are:

1) The best pitcher in baseball the past 5 seasons
2) The best pitcher in baseball last year

But like I said... when a team has given you so little reason to give the benefit of the doubt to it, like the Royals have, I understand extreme reactions early.

[keg in kc]

His first double play today was a case of rolling over on an outside fastball at the knees (that he needed to try to drive to RCF). You left out the 3-0 part of the equation. Just a dumb end to the inning.

[Demonpenz]

Billy Butler is Mike Sweeney with severe heart disease.

[petegz28]

That's a great way to hit a lot of pop-ups.

If you're trying to elevate good fastballs over the outside part of the plate rather than going with the pitch, you're going to hit a lot of popups if you start trying to elevate your swing.

That's been Mike Moustakas's biggest problem as a major league player.

Butler has to start hitting for power, period. This hitting for average crap he has been doing doesn't work for this team. You realize had he hit a pop fly to the OF in his 1st AB it's a 1-1 game right now, right?

[stonedstooge]

Single by Gordon. Now we go

[Sannyasi]

Look at Scherzer's opp. average. Jesus.

[BlackHelicopters]

Come on guys

[Sfeihc]

Best thing. For the shithole of a city, really.

Tried that in '68 and '84 didn't work. Come up with something new.:shake:

[duncan_idaho]

You left out the 3-0 part of the equation. Just a dumb end to the inning.

It was a good pitch to hit. If he had tried to drive that to RF, he probably hits it hard enough to get Aoki home from 3rd.

[AndChiefs]

Please Moose.

[petegz28]

It was a good pitch to hit. If he had tried to drive that to RF, he probably hits it hard enough to get Aoki home from 3rd.

And he had 2 more he could have swung at as well...he had no business swinging. It was bad discipline.

[stonedstooge]

His changeup looks fat today. We need to hammer one

[duncan_idaho]

Butler has to start hitting for power, period. This hitting for average crap he has been doing doesn't work for this team. You realize had he hit a pop fly to the OF in his 1st AB it's a 1-1 game right now, right?

Butler needs to get back to what he was before last year, no doubt. 60-65 XBH.

But those are typically going to come from hitting 15-25 HR and 40-50 2Bs. ANd that's fine, honestly.

If Butler hits to his career average - .298/.364/.459 - that's plenty of power from him, in this lineup.

[Ceej]

About ready to say fuck it and take a nap instead.

[BlackHelicopters]

Punchless

[duncan_idaho]

And he had 2 more he could have swung at as well...he had no business swinging. It was bad discipline.

Middle-of-the-lineup hitters who are as established as Butler are going to have the green light on 3-0. If they see a pitch they think they can hit hard, they trigger. Baseball universal.

It doesn't always work, because this is baseball. And failing 70 percent of the time means you're an All Star hitter.

In the example you're going back to, Butler made a mistake. He tried to pull that ball instead of going with it and driving it to RF.

You know what the number one cause of pulling off and rolling over like that is? Trying to pull the ball and put it in the air.

[Prison Bitch]

Team will struggle to score runs again all year.

[C3HIEF3S]

Team will struggle to score runs again all year.

Based on what? The first 2 games of the season? 2 games that were also against two of the best pitchers in all of baseball?

[duncan_idaho]

Team will struggle to score runs again all year.

Against Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander?

Yep. Just like every opposing team in baseball.

[Prison Bitch]

Based on what? The first 2 games of the season? 2 games that were also against two of the best pitchers in all of baseball?

Based on the fact they couldn't score last year and didn't sign anyone with any pop?

[petegz28]

Middle-of-the-lineup hitters who are as established as Butler are going to have the green light on 3-0. If they see a pitch they think they can hit hard, they trigger. Baseball universal.

It doesn't always work, because this is baseball. And failing 70 percent of the time means you're an All Star hitter.

In the example you're going back to, Butler made a mistake. He tried to pull that ball instead of going with it and driving it to RF.

You know what the number one cause of pulling off and rolling over like that is? Trying to pull the ball and put it in the air.

No, his mistake was bailing out a struggling pitcher on the 1st strike when he was set up to walk and load the bases for Gordon.

[Discuss Thrower]

I'll be worried if the Royals struggle against the likes of Houston or Minnesota.

[BlackHelicopters]

Wicked pitch

[keg in kc]

It was a good pitch to hit. If he had tried to drive that to RF, he probably hits it hard enough to get Aoki home from 3rd.1st and 3rd, 1 out, a pitcher who's struggling and a guy who takes 30 seconds to reach first? Everybody on earth knew that was a double play waiting to happen.

[Toadkiller]

Vargas is showing some great stuff, cautiously optimistic for the rest of the season.

[BlackHelicopters]

Good inning for Vargas

[CaliforniaChief]

Damn son. That was nice.

[AustinChief]

NICE inning from Vargas.

[AndChiefs]

Nice pitching...now if we could only get some assortment of offense.

[BlackHelicopters]

Need some O

[keg in kc]

Time to wake the bats up.

[AustinChief]

1st and 3rd, 1 out, a pitcher who's struggling and a guy who takes 30 seconds to reach first? Billy Butler at bat. Everybody on earth knew that was a double play waiting to happen.

FYP.

[Chiefspants]

With all of the conclusions people are drawing about our hitters, am I wrong to name Vargas as a Cy Young contender for this season?

[CaliforniaChief]

The bats were alive and well until Billy sat on them and choked them out.

Let's get 'em going again.

[Prison Bitch]

With all of the conclusions people are drawing about our hitters, am I wrong to think Vargas is already a Cy Young contender for this season?

Sure, if his numbers last year warranted the idea.

[duncan_idaho]

No, his mistake was bailing out a struggling pitcher on the 1st strike when he was set up to walk and load the bases for Gordon.

One of the things that makes baseball fun - and hard to succeed at - is that you can look at a situation like that from dozens of angles, usually, and justify a lot of them.

Yes, Butler could have tried to work the walk.

Against a stud like Verlander or Scherzer, in a 3-0 count you're more likely to trigger on a 3-0 fastball, if you get one, because those guys can spin in breaking pitches for strikes on 3-1 and 3-2 as easily as they can any other pitch.

He got a fastball in the strike zone that was hittable and triggered. If he had driven that pitch for a 1B or 2B to RF, it was the right decision.

If he had driven that pitch deep enough to RF to score the run from 3rd, it was the right decision.

Cleanup hitters of Butler's caliber - legitimate, established and dangerous major league players - are going to swing at that pitch more often than not.

The mistake in this case was in the execution, not in the decision making.

[Discuss Thrower]

GET HIS PITCH COUNT UPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[Sannyasi]

Would love to see Escobar get on base here with the top of the order coming up.

EDIT: Nevermind

[Prison Bitch]

Why would you think Scherzer would actually throw a 3-0 fastball to Butler?

[Discuss Thrower]

fuck.

[silver5liter]

Escobar has turned into a huge black hole in our line up.

[Prison Bitch]

They should just give Alcides a big red plastic kiddie wiffle bat so he could at least put it in play.

[duncan_idaho]

Vargas is showing some great stuff, cautiously optimistic for the rest of the season.

He seems to be using the changeup heavily against LH hitters so far in this game, something he had not been really done in the past.

I believe Flanagan wrote about them hoping to get him comfortable with using the change more heavily against same-side hitters, a la James Shields.

Will be interesting to watch. Vargas doesn't have much upside, but if he can tick his K rate up around league average (6.5-7.0/9) by using the changeup more while still maintaining his other peripherals, He probably bumps the ERA down a quarter of a run and the whip by a few points.

[CaliforniaChief]

OH!!!!!! That would have been a Home Run in Williamsport if the field was tilted to the left.-Rex

[TLO]

About ready to say **** it and take a nap instead.

A nap sounds pretty good right now.

[keg in kc]

Vargas has been good, but this game as a whole is hard to watch. Just nothing by the Royals on offense.

[Three7s]

Vargas has been good, but this game as a whole is hard to watch. Just nothing by the Royals on offense.
As I expected.

[keg in kc]

As I expected.They're better than this.

Next inning (their half and ours) will be big.

[keg in kc]

Not a good start.

[AndChiefs]

Not a good start.

Yep.

[Canofbier]

Vargas has been good, but this game as a whole is hard to watch. Just nothing by the Royals on offense.

Agreed. I'm trying to keep in mind the quality of the pitchers we've faced in these first two games, and I hope that we'll see an improvement against lesser competition.

I'm drinkin' the Kool Aid!

[kcxiv]

at some point the young fellas need to step up and start hitting.

[keg in kc]

Tigers are about to break it open.

[OmahaChief]

Agreed. I'm trying to keep in mind the quality of the pitchers we've faced in these first two games, and I hope that we'll see an improvement against lesser competition.

I'm drinkin' the Kool Aid!

It is these types of pitchers we would face in the playoffs so our guys better learn to hit them.

[AndChiefs]

Tigers are about to break it open.

Perhaps that would remind our team we're supposed to play offense as well?

[keg in kc]

Nice double play.

[stonedstooge]

Out

[keg in kc]

He looks safe. :(

[AndChiefs]

Nice double play.

Or perhaps not.

[Discuss Thrower]

oh for fuck

[CaliforniaChief]

Of course we'll fall to the new rule.

[petegz28]

review will make him safe

[Sfeihc]

Collins runs well. Doesn't look like he should be he does.

[Blankey]

Man baseball is dumb

[stonedstooge]

Shut up Hudler