Can anyone find a stat or source on what AG's stat line is at the #2 spot?

There's no reason why he shouldn't be able to hit from the #2. If he can't it's because he's mentally weak, not because he isn't seeing as great of pitches.

He's been in the majors for what 4-5 yrs now? To sit there and play baby games and not let a faster/more productive base runner (steals, getting to 2nd, taking away the double play ball) is just criminally stupid. Escobar would be an allstar instead of Elvis Andrus if he was our leadoff guy.

Leadoff man is supposed to get on base. Gordon does it 30 points better despite his BA being 30 points worse. What does that tell you? It tells me he is better at drawing walks and getting on base. What is a better situation having a better hitter for average (Escobar) behind a better on base guy (Gordon) or the other way around? It's better to have a guy on base for a hitter than no one on base for a guy that draws more walks and gets on. In addition to getting on base, Gordon benefits the team by letting them see more pitches.

Also regarding stolen bases, it is overrated for a leadoff hitter. How many times does a leadoff hitter steal to start a game? Not many because the situation doesn't call for it. Anyhow last season Gordon stole 17 while Escobar stole 26. Not a huge difference.

And if you are concerned with Escobar getting the ASG as a good reason to mess with the lineup, then that is just silly. Let Andrus have the ASG while we have the better player.

Whenever I start a game thread it goes like 20 pages. The rest of you pissants have trouble getting 10. I'm not sayin... I'm just sayin.

Except Gordon doesn't walk much, doesn't steal bases much. He's not a table setter. He's more like a #2 hitter or #5 or 6.

Doesn't walk much?! Not only is our best at drawing walks by 17 more walks than Billy, he is 8th in the AL in walks. But yeah he is not good at walks. Nothing like putting your best OBP guy at 5th or 6th in the lineup.

He gets on base. FFS. That's the single most important--no, the only quality that is significant in terms of a lead-off hitter.

He's a #1. A damn good one.

You know what "sets the table"? Getting something on the table.

OBP. Nothing else ****ing matters.

Makes me think of: OH NOEZ, Dunn leads the league in strikeouts!!! OH ****. He only gets on base and hits ****ing home runs. Stay away from that problem.

Alex Gordon. You can get all pissed at him for not being Mike Schmitt or just accept him As Jim Eisenrich with less terrets.

Yep. People who would complain about Gordon at #1 also probably complained at Dunn for being an all-star. One of the Aflac trivia questions recently said that only two players have ever led the league in strikeouts, HRs, and BBs in the same season. I didn't catch who it was but Dunn has a chance at it this season.

JJJJJJJJJJJJJ------IIIIIIIIIIIIIII------MMMMMMMMM-----MMMMMMM-----YYYYYYYY Agrees

100 percent spot on. Always pisses me off when MLB managers bat a low OBP guy 1st just because he's fast. Escobar looks good for you guys in the 2 spot just as I'd imagined he would. That extra 1 at bat or so a game can make the difference at times.

Did anyone think that Escobar would be this good when the Royals traded for him?

I did...I thought his hitting would come along. I followed him pretty closely in the brewers system. I didnt think he'd hit .300 but definetly in 280's and become a doubles hitter adn steal 30-40 bases if possible. Still think hes going to get better hitting

So much ignorance about the lead-off spot in this thread. Look floozies: Not only does Alex get on-base more, but he also gets to 2B more with doubles than Esky has done with steals. He also has a much better table-setter approach at the plate, seeing more pitches.. You guys who think he shouldn't be leading off because he's not as fast as Escobar are on crack and should probably stay away from managing your little league teams.

Ceertainly not at the plate.

Leave Gordon at leadoff....btw Cain is batting cleanup today. Yeah.

Hosmer on the bench.

Floozies?

WTF?

LMAO

Just got done reading the "Hi broads" thread.

I needed an attention grabber! Also Maier cleared waivers. :shrug:

Is he any good? Should we take a flyer on him?

I think I remember hearing he was a first rounder? Can anyone confirm?

Where are you guys getting today's lineup?

Intrawebz.

It's awesome that espn has it but MLB.com does not.

Out of Yost's ass, after he's cleaned it up.

So, Ned stacked FIVE right handed batters in a row? Plan on pinch-hitting much today?

Glad it's you, and not me.

Going against the guy whom we almost drafted, but we're probably just as happy to have Colon.

Oops. Honestly not too fired up about this mistake because of the nature of "pitching prospects."

Ned may have managed his best game last night in a Royals uniform. Lay off him. Oh, changing the lineup again today? Never mind

Oh, and Escobar will end up a leadoff hitter somewhere down the line

This is a big game. A series win keeps the hype from The All-Star game and keeps the crowds coming to the K. A loss would people closing the door on this year.

Hosmer has looked fixed since the break.

Who is saying this stuff?

I haven't seen any games, but if he's still taking those long looping swings, I doubt he's fixed.

He'll probably be a guy that goes through stretches when he just doesn't hit anything.

His strike zone has clearly expanded again. He doesn't appear to be seeing the ball well.

Hosmer has bought into the Frenchy theory of hitting, guess fastball every pitch and swing as hard as you can

Where's the Dr.? He needs to start today's game thread.

No one. Hosmer was talking about needing the break to reset himself and to come out playing better in the second half.

Not so much so far.

/thread

BANNED

WTF mate? Unban him! The needs of the many overshadow the infractions of the Dr.

Hope Mendoza has some good stuff today.

The Royals will be lucky to score against Sale.

Dude is raw.

You lost me here.

He's been pretty effective thus far; for a spot starter.

If he can keep his sinker low KC should be okay.

The key, according to last games broadcast, is that he was throwing his slider for the majority of his pitches.

Yeah, sorry. You said Mendoza and I immediately thought Sanchez.

BAN?

Never, EVER ,mention that shit head's name again.

So, we've had two Royals game thread starters banned. Royals baseball is driving their fans to the brink.

LMAO

Anyone feeling risky enough today?

I'm not.

Might as well neg rep me while hte gettin's good. :D

No thanks. Internet "rep" is stupid.

Let's take the series today for Dr. Ryan LeFever.

Hosmer's production hasn't improved, but his yacking it up with the other team in warmups is still on point.