Yankees Series, a Season Defined in April?

by Mr. Weatherstone on Apr 8, 2008 1:47 AM EDT

Since we are only one week into the season, it would be very irresponsible to proclaim that we are a team to be reckoned with. Yet you can't ignore the excitement that the past week has brought to Royals fans. A sweep of the Tigers in Detroit with their new bat heavy lineup, some very respectable pitching performances . . . including todays 1 run allowed, has brought to the forefront of Royals fans that maybe we could be competitive this year.

The feeling in the air is the same as it was back in 2003 when we jumped out to a hot start and remained competitive long into the season. The young Royals have enough potential stockpiled players like Teahan, Gordon, Pena, DeJesus, and Butler that if the cards or dice were rolled just right, we might actually give the central division a run for its money this year.

It may only be Mid April, but we are coming up on one of the most important series of the year when we play the Yankees. This series will set the tone of the rest of the year, if we do well . . . dare I say sweep, the Royals will prove to the fans that they are serious this year. Even a simple 2-1 series win would help cement the idea that we may have something special on our hands. A series win could provide the young guns of the organization with the confidence needed to survive the 162 game season, the inspiration to run out every ground ball, to dive at every grounder, and possibly to stretch a deep single into a double.

On the other hand, a series loss could well prove disasterous to a team of young players. It could put the idea in the heads of the players that the Tigers series was just a fluke, that they cannot really compete with the big boys. They might come face to face with reality and realize that they are the "New Blue" (1994 to current Royals), rather than the "Tradition" (Late 1970's and 1980's Royals).

In the end, it is only April, it is only the second week of the season, and there are 156 more games to play. But the tone that will be Royals Inspiration for the rest of the season will be set in our upcoming series against the Yankees. Either we belong, or we don't.

Season Prediction

Royals sweep Yankees = Divisional win (although in a very close division)

Royals 2-1 win over Yankees = Divisional loss, although a close race to the end, which will provide the backbone for the 2009 divisional victory

Royals lose 1-2 to Yankees = a long season, but signifigant improvements over last year, but still 2-3 years away from a division

Royals swept by the Yankees = same old season, this year, next year, the year after.

Watch, Root, and break out all the superstitious Royals items you own, the future of the Royals franchise may hinge upon you.

Mr. Weatherstone

2 recs | Comment 25 comments

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Comments

Although I admire...

...the enthusiasm of your post, let's not put too much pressure on the Boys in Blue---nor too much stock in an early-April series.

Two or three wins would be great, but I'd also be happy with one win if KC also holds the vaunted NY offense to 10 runs or less in the series and commits 1 or no errors. Let's show them we're for real at the very least. - TL

by timlacy on Apr 6, 2008 8:55 PM EDT 0 recs

i like the way you think

i think the boys will be ready to play... i fully expect a 2-1 series win

"So whattya say, should we clean this place up?" - Tom Cruise

by DyeFan187 on Apr 6, 2008 9:26 PM EDT 0 recs

I don't think any series in April defines or determines a season

In a six-month, 162-game season, professional baseball players are pretty good about not getting too down when they're losing and not getting too up when they are winning. Wins are always a positive and losses are always a negative. But there are no "key" series in April. Sweeping the Yankees or getting swept by them is not going to decide or define anything.

This team doesn't need to win key series. They just need to win as many games as possible. If they win about as many games as they lose, it will be a huge step forward for this team.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Apr 6, 2008 10:53 PM EDT 0 recs

We can sweep them. But will we?

If everything works out this should be the matchups

Bannister vs Hughes - very winable

Grienke vs Mussina - very winable

Bale vs Kennedy - winable

i sure hope they can do it i really realllly do!

I love life. Life = Royals

by focs on Apr 6, 2008 11:08 PM EDT 0 recs

Check That.

Bannister vs Hughes

Grienke vs Kennedy

Bale vs Pettite

still all winable

I love life. Life = Royals

by focs on Apr 6, 2008 11:42 PM EDT up 0 recs

You know what really sucks?

We play three series against the Yankees. And two of them -- 7 games -- are in New York. Now, that is good for the seven Royals fans that live in the NYC metro area, but it certainly sucks for the Royals. The Royals are completely snake bitten about playing in Yankee Stadium. No matter how well they are playing, when they get to the Bronx, they roll over and play dead. Seems like we've been playing the Yankees a hell of a lot the last few years. Shouldn't that change sometime soon?

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Apr 6, 2008 11:27 PM EDT 0 recs

yeah, well home games aren't all that sweet either

the yanks/royals game i saw at home last season was ridiculous. there were schmucks wearing DiMaggio jerseys in Dugout Box seats. Unbelievable. Far to many tickets were sold to people who wear the wrong color of blue. almost as disconcerting as the Cards/Royals series. I'm glad we get their ticket revenues, but come one KC, get to the games so I don't feel outnumbered...

The first thing I know about someone in a KC hat is that they're loyal.

by grantfunk on Apr 7, 2008 4:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

YANKEES GO HOME!!!

I've had problems with this for years. And it's not just the big name teams either. I can't stand all the f-ing Cirlce me Bert signs at the K every year. Cirlce this Bert!

Don't Stop Believing!

by KC Chris on Apr 7, 2008 4:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'd like to set fire to every piece of red trash

clogging up dugout box seats with their dodge caravans parked askew in the parking lots and the confused look as they are handed a free t-shirt. fucking cards fans!

The first thing I know about someone in a KC hat is that they're loyal.

by grantfunk on Apr 9, 2008 11:23 AM EDT up 0 recs

I think that if the series went badly

like a yankee sweep with two blowouts, it could have a lingering bad effect

but as for positives, i don't know as much

maybe its my personality, but i can attribute the power of negative thinking much more readily than positive

by royalsreview on Apr 7, 2008 1:25 AM EDT 0 recs

The truth is, we have no idea how specific wins, or losses or series affect different players or the team as a whole

While it is clear that wins are a positive and losses are a negative, beyond that we're just guessing. Do the Royals see the upcoming Yankees series as a bigger deal than a series with the Red Sox or Angels? Do they see it as more important or meaningful than a series against division foes like Cleveland or Detroit? Most of us Royals fans have a chip on our shoulder about the Yankees. Do the Royals players feel that way? Maybe they see divisional games as much more important and a more meaningful test of the team. Maybe those wins and losses have a much deeper effect on the team. I haven't the foggiest idea. Can any of us say that it is likely that that a series loss (no matter how that comes about) will seriously hurt the team? Conversely, can we say that it is likely that a series sweep would propel the team to greater heights? Attempting to get into their heads about such things involves the wildest of speculation.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Apr 7, 2008 4:22 AM EDT up 0 recs

Stay Competitive

We need to keep in mind this is a new team under new management, so what might have been true under Buddy Bell (long slides due to tough losses) probably won't be the case under Hillman. Many of the players are the same, but how they are guided is different. The pitching matchups definitely look to be in our favor. I'll hope for a sweep, but if we get out of this series with one or two wins I'll be happy.

by lordbyronk on Apr 7, 2008 8:21 AM EDT 0 recs

Any team can sweep any series at any time

And I think that's more the point here. If the Royals do get swept, how do they react? Do they bounce back to do well against the Twins, or do they let the effect linger? That will show the true competitiveness of the team.

by Bornin85 on Apr 7, 2008 9:46 AM EDT 0 recs

I'll be interested to see how the Royals

attack the Yankees starting pitching. Mussina is on his last legs but with the lack of walks and poor OBP, I am concerned with the ability to score. The Royals have a way of making young pitchers look like Cy Young by swinging early in the count. Let's hope they put more pressure on the Yankees rotation.

by daveyork on Apr 7, 2008 12:55 PM EDT 0 recs

we wont be playing against Mussina

as i said earlier in this post

Bannister vs Hughes

Grienke vs Kennedy

Bale vs Pettite

I love life. Life = Royals

by focs on Apr 7, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Bannister vs Hughes

I think that game will be an absolute pitcher's dream, I could see it going into the 8th still scoreless for some reason.

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by MileHighKCfan on Apr 7, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up 0 recs

Momentum

The unquantifiable force that permeates throughout all sporting events is momentum. It's mystical, it's magical, and it doesn't exist in any tangible form. It's not one of the four accepted forces of nature, yet it is accepted in the minds of those who play the game. It's not real, but the effect it has on players minds is noticeable. Winners don't neccessarly win because they have more skill than the other team, it is a combination of skill and belief that they can achieve the desired results. Winners win because they have won in the past, they are more confident in thier skills, and they tend to play a little bit looser. They have fun with the game because it rewards they with joy. They want to win because winning is fun.

It is true that the only number that counts in the end is how many games you have won, regardless of who you won them against and when you won them. But such a sterilized view of the intricities of the game leaves out the human factor. Humans are suceptible to highs and lows, we are confident somedays, and depressed on other occasions. Overcoming great obstacles like beating a team of ringers (Yankees) can put an enormous amount of confidence in a team that needs solid validation of thier skills.

Thus, I feel that this upcoming series is one of many important crossroads for the Royals this year. We are facing a good team, we are coming off a decent start, and a few wins may bring the joy of winning back to Kansas City.

Mr. Weatherstone

by Mr. Weatherstone on Apr 7, 2008 7:02 PM EDT 0 recs

Is the series against the Yankees more important than...

...the series against the Tigers, or an upcoming series against the Indians or Angels? While many Royals fans may see the Yankees as the Great White Whale, the Royals team may see them as just another good non-divisional foe. It is quite possible that the wins and losses against good divisional opponents have more affect on team psychology. Isn't this all complete guess work?

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Apr 7, 2008 8:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

Bit Off Topic, But. . .

Keith Olberman in his 2008 baseball predictions stated that the Royals might be a cinderella team this year, yet still picked the Indians to win the division.

At least we are considered pretty enough to be cinderella's this year.

Mr. Weatherstone

by Mr. Weatherstone on Apr 7, 2008 8:57 PM EDT 0 recs