Game 4 Open Thread -- Royals (3-0) at Twins (1-3)
by Freneau on Apr 4, 2008 5:15 PM EDT
in Kansas City Royals News
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PrintKansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins, Apr 4, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
Discovering that the Royals had a game tonight was a sweet bonus that I stumbled upon early this morning. For some reason I had assumed we'd get another random, early season off-day. I should have known better -- than to fall in love you with you, now I'm a prisoner to this pain -- the random off-days don't come on Fridays, when MLB likes to schedule for those bigger weekend crowds. Funny thing is, for non-attendees, we're less likely to be watching on Friday, and would prefer to have a game to entertain on us on, say, Tuesday.
Moving on.
Tonight the Royals send John Bale to the mound, who'll be making his first start in the big leagues since 2003, when he turned that trick nine times for the Reds. As NyRoyal's diary, nay, fanpost on Bale points out, Bale may very well be the key to the Royal's rotation this year, providing either added insurance against a regression from one of the front three, or perhaps, simply another quality arm, which may make this team much more dangerous. I've been high on Bale for two years now, for not any solid reason other than that his numbers have looked good at times, and I hear good things about his stuff. We won't find out a great deal about how successful he might be tonight, but we'll at least get started on the first chapter.
Meanwhile, the Twins counter with Scott Baker, the proud owner of a 4.71 ERA in 280 career innings.
So, after the 3-0 start, are we now, as Royals fans, convinced that the boys in blue are now the favorites for third place? From where I sit, I have no earthly idea where either the White Sox or Twins may end up. I though the Twins were dead two seasons ago, then they had their Mauer/Morneau/Liriano resurgence in '06. I will say this, over the last decade, no one has done less with more than the Twins. They've had superb seasons by numerous players, at key positions up the middle, for very cheap prices, and they've won one playoff series. They never really "went for it" either in free agency or at the deadline, but seem to have gotten a free pass. Even the holy Braves have been criticized for not quite taking home enough hardware, for goodness sakes.
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Re: 3rd place
Withholding any judgments until after the Yankee series, at a minimum. Yeah, I'm all giddy and excited over the opening series sweep, but I've also learned from my mistakes over the last 23 seasons.
John Baker
Mr. Baker suffered from some minor/moderate arm problems in ST along with the flu (along with everyone else). This led him to be available for all of 4 official innings pitched in spring training. So it appears that he didn't get all of the work in that you'd want for a pitcher. I would be surprised if his stuff and control was at 100% tonight, even if he is fully healthy.
I probably disagree with you.
Former Royal farmhand, Brian Bass, now a Twin
Bass was a mediocre pitching prospect for the Royals for several years before the Twins picked him up last year. He had yet another mediocre minor league season which was apparently enough to make him the Twins long man out of the pen this season. He's gotten off to a slow start, giving up 3 ER in 4 innings, giving up 6 hits, 1 walk and getting only 1 strikeout. Given the shakiness of the Twins starting pitching, we should expect to see him this weekend.
I probably disagree with you.
Baker
Baker is a decent pitcher whose career ERA is inflated by a disastrous 2006 in which he gave up 17 HR in only 83.1 IP as a 24 year old. His 2007 line is closer to his talent: 143.2 IP, 4.26 ERA, 6.4 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, 0.9 HR/9 (15 HR), 3.85 FIP, 35% GB%. He is an extreme fly ball pitcher (thus, the HR problems in the past), but he offsets it with very good control and an ability to miss bats (3.5 K/BB). He throws primarily a 90-91 MPH four-seam fastball and a slider to both righties and lefties, mixing in an occasional curve and changeup. Not surprisingly, without a good curve or changeup, lefties hit him well -- 323/375/473 last year (dibs on calling a Gordon HR).
does anyone know what the royals history
of dealing with control versus fireball pitchers is? the cardinals are somewhat famous for manhandling fastball pitchers like randy johnson, and having a lot of trouble with the madduxes of the world.
do the royals have any particular weaknesses or strength?
people always complain
that the royals make junkballers look good
i wouldnt put too much stock in these sorts of things though
Minor league note
After yesterday, the entire Royals' SYSTEM is perfect. Burlington and NW Arkansas won, Omaha rained out (Wilmington's first game is tonight).
This has been a fun week to be a fan so far.
Sometimes you just gotta roll the potato.
by CentralChamps2009 on Apr 4, 2008 6:05 PM EDT reply actions
A couple minor leaguers
Carlos Rosa had an uneven night for the Naturals. 4 ip, 6 h, 3 r, 2 er, 0 bb, 5 k. He cruised through the first 3 innings and then kind of imploded in the 4th inning, giving up a bunch of hits and all 3 runs until he finally got out of the inning. Dusty Hughes started the next inning (2.2 ip, 1 h, 0 r, 1 bb, 0 k).
Mike Moustakas was 1 (single) for 4 for Burlington with 1 k and 0 bb.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Rosa was unlucky.
Listened to the game. A jam shot broken bat over Maddox at 2b and a ground ball inches inside the bag for a double killed Rosa. Lisson was playing in since the bases were loaded and the ball just got by him. He really bared down to get out of the inning though, a popup, strikeout, and grounder to 1b.
Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.
Who would have guessed
that after 4 games they would be 3.5 back, 4 if we win tonight. Also I wonder if there is a place to bet who would be the last team to lose. I bet people would have make a killing picking the Royals if such a place existed.
stunning that no one else made it to 3-0
i mean, that isnt that hard
I wanna know what love is, I want you to show me
Apparently it is!
Interestingly, the Tigers are the only winless team. I'd be amazed if there had ever been a season where all but two teams had both a win and a loss three/four games into the season (at least in the expansion era, anyway).
ny royal . . . .
olive branch.
i'm sorry if i was a jerk last season.
lets enjoy the royals resurgance/come-uppance!
Did we get into it last season?
If so, I'll extend my olive branch as well. Peace, love, dope. :)
Hopefully we get to enjoy a 4th win tonight.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
He's already calln you a dope! :)
Let's Go Blues!
by powderbluesfor08 on Apr 4, 2008 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Lineups
Kansas City
AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg
J. Gathright cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231
M. Grudzielanek 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .500
A. Gordon 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .214
J. Guillen rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167
B. Butler dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .308
M. Teahen lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .364
R. Gload 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .364
J. Buck c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .167
T. Pena Jr. ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .077
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Minnesota
AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg
C. Gomez cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .375
J. Mauer c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
M. Cuddyer rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .188
J. Morneau 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
D. Young lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .400
C. Monroe dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
M. Lamb 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .091
M. Tolbert 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
A. Everett ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .250
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
I probably disagree with you.
blue jays are beating us to the punch . . .
they are donning their powder blues tonight for their home opener against the bosox.
robbie alomar threw out the ceremonial 1st pitch.
Was It
A spitball?
Let's go, boys, to the toppermost of the poppermost!
by philofthenorth on Apr 4, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
This whole playing the same line up every day thing
Is real earth shattering
winning records follow good bullpens
anyone with an mlb package has to check out . . .
the blue jays' throw back powder blue unis.
they look great.
i'm a gf now?
I feel pretty loved, not gonna lie.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions
i cannot wait!
i keep clicking on mlb audio, and it says, "be patient, it's not on yet."
i really hope that baker ate us alive last year because our offense was so consistently slumpy--and that it's recovered this year--rather than because of some curse of a goat or a balboni or somesuch.
It's The Curse
Of Balboni's 'Stache.
Let's go, boys, to the toppermost of the poppermost!
by philofthenorth on Apr 4, 2008 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
i am so freaking excited
we aren't just improved . . .
we aren't just relevant . . .
we're damn good.
i made my wife put a royals emblem . .
and the phrase: "Lets Go Royals" at the end of our wedding program.
i'm originally from northern VA (outside of d.c.)
i'm a george mason grad.
i went to seton hall university (newark, new jersey - just outside of new york city) for law school and found work in the philly area.
its nice out here.
i was in kc for my b-day at the end of last season - what a glorious town. its nice to have room on the highways to really speed.
No doubt
Well, at least you're happy in Philly. I know some guys that had to leave this area for work or military purposes and they hate it.
i'm certain that if i was born and raised in KC . . .
I would never have left.
if it wasn't for the concerns of being close to my family, i would have relocated to kc.
maybe someday i will.
my dream is to be retired and attend all 81 royals home games every summer.
Nice
You are a lucky man. My wife accepts my hobby, but no emblems around here. She went with me to the KU game for a few innings on Wednesday. She said the experience was "acceptable." That is a pretty good reveiw from her.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
He'll Make Our
Hitters nervous.
Let's go, boys, to the toppermost of the poppermost!
by philofthenorth on Apr 4, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm glad I got to see some games in the
Metrodome last year before they tear it down, but I could've done without the bridge collapse while we were there. That was a bit scary.
I saw a lot of games there while I lived in Minneapolis for 3 years
But it is a horrible baseball facilitiy. It always felt like watching a baseball game on TV in my bathroom.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
should we feel bad that gordon's best game last year . . .
when he hit 2 homers . . . was the same day as the collapse.
it was also the day that buddy bell announced his "retirement"
You're right
At the K, there really isn't any bad seats, but there's a ton of bad seats in the Metrodome. I just wonder how they're going to have an open-air stadium there with their weather.
They have decent weather from April through September. Not appreciably worse than Detroit.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess you're right about Detroit
I've just heard about some nasty April snow storms up there when talking to some locals about the new park.
hahaha!
he'll be joining george in cooperstown soon.
he was a rare talent. best 2nd baseman of my lifetime. biggio had more longevity, but at his peak, alomar was one of the best players in baseball.
we have have a young ballclub . . .
with a new manager that brought japan/japanese type philosophies to our team.
according to blylevin. good lord - i just vomited into my mouth. i might have to mute and listen to denny.
Just cracked open my first Boulevard
so in about 2 hours, if I stop making sense, you guys know what's going on.
Thank god, my fantasy team needs something, anything
winning records follow good bullpens
I played with him up until 7th grade when I moved to TX
he got considerable better then he was as a 8th grader. I'm glad he is doing well.
we were on the same travel league team.
He was the number two pitcher and I was number three/ss.
I just got off the phone
from ordering Extra Innings. I figure just 'cause I'm currently unemployed is no reason not to spend money, right?
way to show that gomez like speed.
I hate the announcers.
Gathrirght would be a great player in the Dome
If he could catch there
winning records follow good bullpens
I LOVE the jays powder blues, awesome
winning records follow good bullpens
Gator gets himself into scoring position, niceee
winning records follow good bullpens
We shall infield hit baker to death
winning records follow good bullpens
i really wish
we could make gator an everyday player. but i love DDJ
Well that was not the way to score a run
winning records follow good bullpens
I'll take a run.
winning records follow good bullpens
Feels good to get on the board first,
The twins bullpen is excellent
winning records follow good bullpens
oh boy - we've gotten to our 1st steve balboni comparison
on the twins telecast.
these guys are awful announcers.
if you have extra innings,
there should be two separate channels.
738 is FSN KC, which i have really enjoyed thus far. seriously, FSN KC >> RSTN.
Yeah, I love the fact
that we're getting games in HD this year. Unfortunately, not tonight, but still.
they seem to have an idea of what they're doing . . .
last year they were aimless/listless.
one year makes a big difference with young guys.
Really good AB, baserunning not so much
If Grudz was pissed I'm sure he'll let Butler know. Good to have some veteran leadership...
winning records follow good bullpens
Am I the only person that was 100% positive
Guillen was going to get the run in, and after that Butler would come up with the 2 out hit? There was like, zero doubt.
winning records follow good bullpens
he can run into as many outs as he wants
as long as he keeps getting rbis.
Apparently Gomez can bunt too
winning records follow good bullpens
It's like deja vu
winning records follow good bullpens
There goes half the lead
winning records follow good bullpens
Ugh, he's not exactly getting rocked
winning records follow good bullpens
He was able to reach the bag with his right hand, so was within the rules. "Hard slide", I think the term is.
oh, no doubt.
but grudzy has knee issues, etc.
i don't like it.
our young guys have to protect our vets.
the next play @ 2nd should be physical.
Alright, got the clutch DP, on emore out
winning records follow good bullpens
Yeah baby, and that's why we're 3-0
We get the clutch 2 out hits and they don't
LOL
winning records follow good bullpens
holy cow
...I just missed whatever happened.
First actual game that I get to sit down and watch!
My going on 2 hour nap was broken when I heard the very very creepy intro music to Ghost Whisperers (I don't mess with Ghost stuff in the building that I live in, not gonna lie) and I changed it to FSN just in time for the first pitch. Now I'm trying ot catch up on my scorecard so that I can do the whole BOD thing riiiiight.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
Let's make Baker throw another 20+ pitches
winning records follow good bullpens
nothing was hit in the air . . .
the hardest hit ball was delmon young's grounder to end the inning, and his bat was sawed off.
hah
"fastest sprint to first base"
You two are so clever.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
Lead off double, let's get it back
winning records follow good bullpens
Gload grits the runner to third for Buck
winning records follow good bullpens
Twins with the infield in in the 2nd, wtf?
winning records follow good bullpens
they are calling buck the centerpiece of the beltran trade . . .
hmmmmmmmmm.
these announcers are garbage.
c'mon buck
I have your picture up on my wall. The least you could do is make it worth the effort to put it there.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
Buck is the clutch
winning records follow good bullpens
apparently all it takes for shit to happen
is for me to get sassy slash snappy. I do not mind this.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
Look at our similarities
Speedy lead-off hitter, young, decent middle of the lineup, and all-glove, no-hit shortstops.
mmmm
but he's so dreamy.
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o104/babesthatlovebaseball/Minnesota%20Twins/JoeMauerHammock.jpg
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions
And both with solid bullpens and ace closers.
That being said, I will take the Royals rotation over the twins 7 days a week and twice on Sundays (unless Brett Tomko is starting ;] ). Of course, this could change if Liriano comes back good.
winning records follow good bullpens
I think even I coul dget TPJ out
winning records follow good bullpens
ooh
harsh.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
How are we going to not have Gathright
in the lineup next week? The dude needs to be playing everyday.
I'm sure we'll survive
winning records follow good bullpens
He's just nice to have in the lineup
I don't want to see him sitting. And he can't improve on the bench.
You gotta like Gathright taking so many
even if he is just fouling them off - make him throw the pitches!
My lord but this guy pitches slowly!
What is he doing, reading the newspaper between pitches!
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
I second that motion
he's on my fantasy team...I need him to do good for me.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
We need Bale to have a quick inning
Get the pressure back on baker
winning records follow good bullpens
Twins ignorant idiot remote reporter
"It's a trivia question if you can name 2 starters on this staff."
Really? How much of an idiot are you?
I probably disagree with you.
He was trying to say that the Royals pitchers are all no-name nobodies, but they somehow manage to pitch kinda well
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
as if the twins are super famous...?
i mean, obviously liriano is (could be) good...but, like, boof bonser? famous mostly because of his great name?
i know - that infuriates me.
i hate how ignorant people are of the royals.
i know a lot about all teams in baseball.
Nomo
royals.com is reporting the Nomo may be joining the team soon....
"Pitcher Joel Peralta, a late roster cut, cannot be recalled because 10 days have not expired since he was optioned to Omaha. On the other hand, Brandon Duckworth could be summoned, because he was a non-roster pitcher in Spring Training. Yet a more likely choice is Nomo."
I don't trust Kaegel's speculations
He reported that it was likely that the Royals would offer a contract to Emil Brown.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Bale seems to be pitching quite well
Though the hit totals would not betray this fact
winning records follow good bullpens
At least he's getting the groundballs
That's a good sign for him. If he can keep that up with our defense behind him, we'll be okay.
He had a shaky first . . .
But one of those was a bunt, so the hit total is not representative.
wow.
the twins announcers just mentioned that gardenhire interviewed for the royals managing position - then the royals hired tony muser.
yuck!
on a slightly off topic note
I keep getting comments on my facebook wall about the completely false photo of an engagement ring on my profile. The internet makes people very, very gullible.
All right, let's get some more done in the 3rd inning. I like a lead with lots of wiggle room.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
thank you!
I like my freedom.
I just think it's sad that people don't know me well enough that I wouldn't at least let them know about it, you know?
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
sadly the last few years
are all that I really know.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions
there are lots of Jeffrey Sterns apparently
As long as you're not the creepy one from Winnipeg, oh my goodness.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions
laura kathleen williams
there are too many laura williams' in the world for me to leave it at just that, unfortunately.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
i figured as much
it was a "bingo" moment, if you will.
Just didn't want to assume, you could also be the Jeff Stern who graduated Harvard in 80, you know.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions
you know what they say
it's not official 'til it's on facebook.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 4, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Bale
Is going to be a plesant surprise to some of you this year.. trust me
I love life. Life = Royals
i hope you're right.
just remember - my experience with american pitchers who went to japan and then came back to play for the royals is darrel may - so forgive me for being skeptical.
Daryl May had one damn good season.
winning records follow good bullpens
Somehow to me Grudz looks more evil this year.
I like that.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
Bale sure isn't missing many bats
I don't know if he's going to get many K's with his fastball sitting at 87-89
I probably disagree with you.
Hopefully he can be our Fausto Carmona . . .
only older, whiter, and slightly worse.
He'll be fine as long as his fastball moves a bit
His curve is nasty and the changeup is above average.
winning records follow good bullpens
What's going on is that he's a starter. His fastball is going to lose velocity as a starter.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
He's hit 90 once in this game
I hope he can dial it up a little more. He's looking pretty hittable.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
That's my grad school schedule as well, generally.
Brothers in slacking unit . . . e!
Sometimes offices are sanctuaries.
Somedays you are just to tired to make the long walk home and before you know it, it is 9PM.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
i actually love being here on fridays
so rellaxed... i've written like 4 sentences for my diss in the last three hours, but i still feel like a stud
I own you today man!
1,100 words this afternoon! I was unstoppable baby!
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
All I have to do is repeat that session about 150 more times
and I'll have a ROUGH DRAFT!
Some of it was actually good stuff.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
Sorry, no harm intended.
I have gotten shockingly little done since November and I am starting to have those failure panics again.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
I used to spend tons of time in my office
Then they moved us into a new building with cubicles and to hell with that.
At this rate Baker will be over 100
Before the 6th inning. Good news for the Royals.
Man how many cheapies are they gona get
winning records follow good bullpens
Bale seems to have the changeup working
well, but the curveball doesn't look as sharp tonight. Is anyone else seeing that?
That wasn't cheap. Double play please?
winning records follow good bullpens
This is gettin gugly
winning records follow good bullpens
You can only allow batters to make contact for so long..
He's no Bannister.
I probably disagree with you.
On the bright side, Cuddyer is out of the game
winning records follow good bullpens
Well, the lead was nice while it lasted
winning records follow good bullpens
41, I think
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually he has a surprisingly efficient 3IP 41 pitches
winning records follow good bullpens
He's been efficient like a batting practice pitcher. He serves it up and the batters make contact.
That's a bit harsh, but not entirely inaccurate.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
On the bright side, if he mans up and throws 4 scoreless innings
Starting in the 4th, we'll be talking about how the Royals have gotten 4 great starts ;]
winning records follow good bullpens
Nothing he does in the next 4 innings could make this a "great" start
At most, it would be a gritty, battling effort.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a game our offense needs to win
can we do it?
well, bale got a crucial K when he needed it.
i think bale is keeping this slot warm for hochevar anyway.
Hey all.
Good start. Looks like it's going to be up to the bats and bullpen tonight. This is the Royals baseball we're used to.
by I need more Esteban on Apr 4, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions
Hi everybody. Late comer.
is it just me or is bale getting smacked aruond a little? Nice K to finish the inning though.
Don't Stop Believing!
He's very hittable
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on Apr 4, 2008 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm a Bale fan.
He just seems to be leaving it over the plate tonight.
Don't Stop Believing!
Baker appears to be getting comfortable
winning records follow good bullpens
We need 1-2 more runs off of Baker.
It's clear Bale can't get through the heart of the Twins order without runs scoring, so we need to score in advance of that.
Baker with the 6 pitch inning. Yuck.
winning records follow good bullpens