Someone fire up a game thread.

Holy shit. I just checked the standings and Oakland is at a + 91 scoring differential. The next closest is 51. That's crazy for a "small market" team even this early in the season.

They are playing great. Funny thing is there are a lot of people that couldn't name 5 guys on their team... and they have one of the smallest payrolls in the league, as usual.

They almost won 100 games last year though... and they aren't that old, so maybe we shouldn't be surprised.

Oakland has like 50 more walks than the next closest team.

I know they have 2 ex Royals with better averages and more home runs than Belly :banghead:

I bought a Royals ticket package for $40 from Smart Circle. There are two sets of two free tickets that are valid Sunday-Thursday and include 75% of the stadium. Along with that, there are six BOGO tickets in this package.

Today, I sat right below Rivals for $2, as there's a $2 surcharge for using the free ticket deal.

I also took in two bottles of water, a bag of peanuts, a bag of sunflower seeds, and two Subway sandwiches.

With parking included, I spent about $35 for myself and my girlfriend to go to the game.

They are just scared to get that bat off of their shoulders/ GMDM/Yost/Hud

The Royals starting pitcher's ERA is unbelievable;

Duffy - 1.42, 2 -3
Ventura - 2.40, 2 - 3
Shields - 2.67, 6 - 3
Vargas - 3.00, 4 - 1
Guthrie - 4.76, 2 - 3

FYP

Well, I think the point is, on a go forward basis (which excludes Chen), our SP has been about as solid as any top 5 in MLB. Guthrie has been a mess at times, but a 4.76 ERA isn't laughable. If he can smooth out his bumps - primarily the long ball, he can be a solid middle of the rotation guy

I agree. Our starting pitching is primarily what has kept us in the hunt.

Really, with this offense, it's been the only thing thus far.

I was EXTREMELY ENCOURAGED to see both Billy and Gordon hitting the ball so well in the same game. If we can get those 2 going, this is a team that can get to the Playoffs and be a legit factor in post-season. But, to rely just on pitching, and not have those guys be major factors, nfw.

Guthrie is pretty average. If he's our #5 guy, we're really doing good, and I think if Duffy is even half of what he's shown the last two starts, that's what he'll be. Just please don't let Yost be stupid and put freaking Chen back in over Duffy.

Sweet. The other people are just doing it wrong then if they are spending $150 a game.

The Good news the Royals are playing consistently .500 baseball through May.. which is encouraging when remembering last year.

The Bad news... Detroit has won 6 straight (all on the road). And has won 15 of their last 18 games. They have the best record in all of baseball and are statistically the second best (behind a mercurial hot Oakland).

If Detroit stays form, the only hope is that we snag that last Wild Card spot.