Game 38 Open Thread - Tigers (16-22) at Royals (16-21)
by Freneau on May 13, 2008 6:45 PM EDT
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PrintDetroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals, May 13, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
Since a season opening sweep of the Tigers in Detroit, the Royals have gone 13-21, while the Tigers have stumbled along at 16-19. Still, thanks to Detroit's cold start, the Royals have been able to mostly avoid last-place this season, although that could change as quickly as tonight. Actually, in terms of the AL Central standings, the Royals have been all over the place:
| Royal Position in Standings | Days Spent There |
| First | 11 |
| Second | 9 |
| Third | 6 |
| Fourth | 6 |
| Fifth | 4 |
The Royals hit fourth place last Tuesday for the first time and have remained there ever since. Meanwhile, the Tigers have been in fourth or fifth for nearly the entire season: they have spent exactly one day in second and one day in third (this happened consecutively, when they climbed to 14-15). To get back to fourth, they'll need to beat Zack Greinke.
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I desperately
want a four or five game winning streak. It’s wishful thinking but would be awesome right now.
by I need more Esteban on May 13, 2008 7:02 PM EDT reply actions
Slightly modified for the Royals.
“We won a game Sunday, if we win one tonight, and get one tomorrow…that’s called a winning streak. It has happened before.” ( as Japanese player shakes his head up and down). Movie anyone?
by I need more Esteban on May 13, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Major League
Not sure which one, maybe the first.
Similar to Hillman’s pregame speech tonight with Yabuta nodding.
I count pitches.
2nd one
Haha that is exactly what I was thinking.
by I need more Esteban on May 13, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Yup
Tanaka was the name. First name is too crazy to remember. He did have one of the most amazing catches where he climbed the wall and caught the ball while standing on it to send the Indians to the playoffs. Man I must’ve seen that movie like 20 times one summer when I was younger cause they would play it over and over on cinemax. Amazing.
by I need more Esteban on May 13, 2008 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
my lineup
1. Gathright
2. DeJesus
3. Butler
4. Guillen
5. Olivo/Buck
6. Gordon
7. Grudz or Teahan
8. Grudz or Teah
9. Callaspo
Divide 6 by 2
You get this:
D. DeJesus lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .314
M. Grudzielanek 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .312
A. Gordon 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
J. Guillen dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .207
B. Butler 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
M. Teahen rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .263
J. Buck c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258
T. Pena Jr. ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .160
J. Gathright cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gotta have Gator.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on May 13, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
cannot wait for this game.
oh, z-dog, z-dog, make me proud!
My last game thread of the until the Cardinals series
The wife bought me tickets for every home game until then for fathers day along with a membership to the stadium club on the second deck.
Proud father of a budding Royals fan.
So how long before people....
start saying Cabrera can’t hit without PEDs?
(Not my thoughts necessarily)
I count pitches.
well, according to my theory
the royals HAVE to win tonight. They almost always win when Grienke starts slash when I go to the games. The only exception is Sunday’s start.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on May 13, 2008 7:50 PM EDT reply actions
C. Granderson .246
P. Polanco .277
C. Guillen .295
M. Ordonez .315
M. Cabrera .252
G. Sheffield .208
M. Joyce .267
E. Renteria .266
I. Rodriguez .270
D. DeJesus .314
M. Grudzielanek .312
A. Gordon .282
J. Guillen .207
B. Butler .286
M. Teahen .263
J. Buck .258
T. Pena Jr .160
J. Gathright .247
The Moose is Loose
Another double for Moustakas. He has settled nicely in Burlington after a slow start 7 extra base hits in his last 10 games.
i remember when we had 7 players above 300
even empty average is better than not-much-average-at-all.
Can anyone
who doesn’t want Grudzy in the 2 spot explain why? I’m not sure if there is anyone here who has said that but I’ve seen it around some places and wonder if there is some stat I don’t know about. He continually gets multi hit games and has by far the best average with AB’s taken in consideration.
by I need more Esteban on May 13, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions
Grudzy in the 2
its not so much that I don’t want him in the 2 as much as I think he is versatile enough to move up and down the lineup. I think DeJesus and Teahan both could be 2 spot hitters.
Yeah
I believe Teahen’s future is in the two spot as well.
by I need more Esteban on May 13, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
my roommate is an emerging royals fan
after proclaiming “I hope I see some home runs, I love home runs!” I had to break it to her that she won’t be seeing many from our boys in blue.
Let’s just hope that Zack isn’t giving them away tonight…
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on May 13, 2008 8:03 PM EDT reply actions
GREAT! already losing
where is everyone
Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right
Get it together Zack
winning records follow good bullpens
Oh yea!
a run!
wait… wrong team.
I really don't know what to say... Did the post above this signature make sense? Probably not.
by RoyalsFanInMarinerTown on May 13, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions
This looks just like his last start, zero first inning control
winning records follow good bullpens
No kidding
Not that it mattered, Cabrera was going to K.
winning records follow good bullpens
Yeah, hopefully Zack gets it together now and pitches 6 more scoreless
He struggled with his control early in his last start, it seems like with most good pitchers if you’re going to get them, you have to get’em in the first inning. We….should be able to score some runs tonight.
winning records follow good bullpens
Never has a RISP been stranded faster.
Unreal.
winning records follow good bullpens
They were both fastballs over the plate.
This team is horrible offensively. Nothing like our two “best” hitters popping themselves up on consecutive pitches with a risp. Awesome.
winning records follow good bullpens
we need to beat up on robertson, and get into the even weaker detroit bullpen, and quick innings are not going to do it.
Don't hold your breath, Robertson is a lefty with a league average fastball
He’ll cliff lee us part 2
winning records follow good bullpens
Why don't
we hit Butler in the 3 spot. He is more patient and his power will come around. Gordon even in college has never been a clutch hitter.
God damn zack
Matt joyce?
winning records follow good bullpens
Nice play Pena...sigh
winning records follow good bullpens
Somebody make it stop.
Zack.
winning records follow good bullpens
ugh, zack
please. please stop. You are BETTER than this.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on May 13, 2008 8:37 PM EDT reply actions
Keep in mind he shoulda been outta the inning
No thanks to your buddy t-pain
Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right
Yikes. 45 pitches in 2 innings.
Who can go long today.
winning records follow good bullpens
I actually believe so for once
Its nate f-ing robertson
Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right
I just had a dialogue with the resident Cardinals fan in the office just now
I informed her that today our mighty boys in blue battle to take back their coveted birthright last place in the division against the Tigers. I told her it will be tough going for the boys as they play Nate Robertson with a 5+ ERA and it will be a struggle for the boys to pull it off but I believe in them and think they are capable of pulling out the shutout maybe even keeping their hits under 3. I believe!!!
by MKforKC on May 13, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions
Nick Name for our hitters
“The Hacktastic Voyage” in reference to Super Bad lol
Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right
Yay
Another two-out single by Buck. Odds of him reaching second?
I call 10-1 against.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
LOL @ Robertson throwing pena back to back fastballs down the middle
Then flinging one up there in the dirt for him to swing at.
winning records follow good bullpens
WOW well he really showed a lot of uh.. cool glasses ? up there at the plate
GJ Tony
Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right
He already PUBLICLY gave him until the end of May
Which was just plain idiotic, in my opinion. Why EVER guarantee a player that much playing time when he is playing so terribly publicly? All I can figure is GMDM said start him until the end of May, if no progress, I get replacement.
winning records follow good bullpens
Zack seems to have found the handle on his offspeed pitches
So let’s hope for some quick innings.
winning records follow good bullpens
Nice job moving the runner David, on one pitch too!
winning records follow good bullpens
Another STELLAR ab by Gordon
winning records follow good bullpens
Thank god Guillen is starting to hit
winning records follow good bullpens
Man
Guillen’s pounding the snot out of that wall-embedded video board.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Now that we tied it Zack needs a quick shut down inning
Put the pressure back on Nate
winning records follow good bullpens
He can carry us if he gets hot.
Or at least partially make up for some of the other sinkholes in this lineup.
winning records follow good bullpens
I would see for 3 consecutive outs after hte leadoff single
winning records follow good bullpens
Great, now Zack is scared to pitch to Joyce
yes, let’s put runners in scoring position for a very good hitter
winning records follow good bullpens
renteria is 0-19
but we usually help people out of slumps.
cf. c.c. sabathia.
Okay, that ended well
winning records follow good bullpens
3 pitches, 2 outs
winning records follow good bullpens
TPJ's SLG Now
Exceeds hi BA.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on May 13, 2008 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
And of course TPJ doubles after the double play
God doesn’t love the royals.
winning records follow good bullpens
such bad luck on buck
well hit ball for buck: just right at polanco. too bad.
Robertson: 2 hits, 3 outs on 11 pitches
Amazing
winning records follow good bullpens
The problem is Greinke hasn't exactly been dominating
winning records follow good bullpens
They are just crushing Greinke's get ahead pitches
winning records follow good bullpens
okay, he's down in the count
don’t serve him up anything. he can hit it hard.
that 1-2 pitch look good on tv...and on gmeday
winning records follow good bullpens
Alright...Greinke has wobbled through 5...let's hope for 2 more
But we need to score.
winning records follow good bullpens
The table is set
anybody hungry?
"I've seen the future and it's much like the present only longer." - Dan Quisenberry
did he seriously break the sign?
that’s amazing.
ooh, it’s starting to rain outside.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on May 13, 2008 9:33 PM EDT reply actions
The singles attack begins again
winning records follow good bullpens
looking good!
i need to pick up grudzie for fantasy.:)
Unbelievable
winning records follow good bullpens
How can we win when we waste golden scoring opps liek that
winning records follow good bullpens
Honestly?
By having golden scoring opportunities more often.
I mean, hell, the best run-scoring teams in baseball leave 1200 men on base a year.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Yeah, it was hard hitting luck
But still, 9 hits in 5 innings and 2 runs? Man, that means we’re hitting on all cylinders.. and still not scoring. I don’t understand it.
winning records follow good bullpens
Just gotta remember
Every batter’s going to fail to bring in the runners 2/3 of the time.
That said, we are going a poor job of it, but it’s one of those things that deviates.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
ugh
too late good stroke wish he wouldn’t try to pull everything
sign Greinke a Evan Longoria type deal now.
We have 9 hits off Robertson in 5 innings
And 2 runs. And he’s thrown 63 pitches.
winning records follow good bullpens
Next main page post: who needs a 2B?
winning records follow good bullpens
Gritz Pretty Much
Is the whole problem.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on May 13, 2008 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I was saying trade him because he's hitting .330
Doubt his value will ever be higher
winning records follow good bullpens
Bad spot to walk a guy... Zack just cant get that curveball over
winning records follow good bullpens
showing his age
3 years ago Sheffield puts that in the construction pile
sign Greinke a Evan Longoria type deal now.
i think that 610 did an interview with Bannister earlier in the season
and he said that you’re going to have a handful of really really ace games, a handful of games where nothing goes right at all, and then the majority of your games are going to be middle of the road and how good of a player you are really depends on those middle games and what you do with them.
Every pitcher has a bad start, and I don’t think we should be expecting anything different. Sure this isn’t a fantastic game for Greinke, but he’s still managing to pull through when he really has to. He’s not rolling over like he may have in the past. He’s taking a middle of the road game and working it.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on May 13, 2008 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions
God, why do these unknown players always kill us
winning records follow good bullpens
AHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
winning records follow good bullpens
keep showing that grit, Grudz
maybe it will help us.
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on May 13, 2008 9:45 PM EDT reply actions
at the gym today they had lieftime on
and i was forced to watch that horrible Still Standing show. the whole epiosde seemed to have been about the daughter wanting to wear a bikini or go swimming with boys or something, and hijinks… unfortunately, there was a long scene with her in said bikini…
way too hot
that is all
Still Standing was funny
In the, fat guy washed up highschool football star married to attractive MILF stereotype sorta way.
winning records follow good bullpens
Will...
There’s something disturbing about it being hot if she needed permission to wear the bikini. :x
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Lol, have to love the way he pitched pudge
winning records follow good bullpens
All 95 on gameday
Let’s get Zack the W. that was an incredibly gritty performance
winning records follow good bullpens
Such an impressive performance...
Tiny strike zone, he doesn’t have his best stuff, Tigers have been getting lucky with weakly hit balls and he’s still only given up 2 in 6.
This is what #1 pitcheres do
winning records follow good bullpens
And since I can't see him coming out for the 7th at 101 pitches
it’s a quality start.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
In the meantime, 4 pitches and 2 outs.
Gotta love it. Robertson falls behind 1-0 to the first two batters and… we make outs on the consecutive pitches. He’s going to 15 hit complete game us.
winning records follow good bullpens
We can't even pinch hit for Pena
winning records follow good bullpens
Because Joey G is behind him
winning records follow good bullpens
Thankg od we gave away an out
Wouldn’t want Robertson to have to throw 70 pitches in 6 innings
winning records follow good bullpens
the best thing about
John Buck 2 out singles is not having to see TPJ lead off an inning…why the hell is he getting picked off!! he should just be standing on first ready to go put his stinking gear on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have many leather bound books...
lol isn't that the truth
If Callapso isn’t PH’ing next inning, prepare for me bitching
winning records follow good bullpens
I don't mind it
when Buck gets a 2-out single hitting 8th with Pena 9th and DDJ leading off.
When he’s hitting 7th, with Pena 8th and Gator 9th, it makes me cry.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
How much time can we waste debating the merits of a quality start? 1 inning, two?
"I've seen the future and it's much like the present only longer." - Dan Quisenberry
about 2 minutes of quality debating
I count pitches.
by royallyblue on May 13, 2008 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
How bout that quality relief pitching by Ramon Ramirez
If this game is god forbid, still tied going into the 9th, I’m betting we see Soria this time.
winning records follow good bullpens
Thank god that wasn't callapso batting.
Ugh
winning records follow good bullpens
Gator really muscled that one
If you’re not watching: Pudge picked it up two feet in front of the plate.
It was no longer in motion. Dead.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Nate Robertson has been godawful against everybody all year
And the Tigers bullpen as been their downfall. So of course, Robertson will pitch all 9 against us. This is awesome.
winning records follow good bullpens
82 through 7.
Hey, we have 10 hits though!
winning records follow good bullpens
82
he might be able to go 10 if we keep this up
"I've seen the future and it's much like the present only longer." - Dan Quisenberry
I would rather have DDJ's father come bat in the #8 spot than you know who
I’m not referring to him by name anymore.
(Parcells and TO relationship)
I count pitches.
I have a ton of confidence in our bullpen, but I still don't expect to win this game
winning records follow good bullpens
(reverse psychology)
winning records follow good bullpens
I have the same feeling
I have to keep reminding myself that it’s a tie game – feel like we’re losing
"I've seen the future and it's much like the present only longer." - Dan Quisenberry
Enter: the royals offense
winning records follow good bullpens
will we see soria...
if it’s a tie in the ninth?
We keep holding the heart of the Tigers' order clawless like this
one day, they’re going to go apeshit and score 26 runs off us.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Ugh.... I hate pitching around Cabrera there
Putting the lead run on base with 1 out for free is never good, even if it is Miguel Cabrera.
winning records follow good bullpens
I think i heard on the pregame radio show that
the royals are 6-6 against lefties…can that be true?? it seems like they are getting bitch-slapped by southpaws regularly…
I have many leather bound books...
Someone needs to be held accountable
Our walkless streak, Robertson’s pitch count, our inability to do anything right on offense besides using hackfest for a singles-based attack.
SOMEBODY needs to be held accountable for this offensive disaster.
>_>
my bad…
does that count?
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on May 13, 2008 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Have you been
inviting the guys over for beer if they finish the game by 10:00?
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
damn, you caught me
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on May 13, 2008 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
your punishment in the afterlife
shall be an eternity of watching TPJ at-bats with your eyes taped open!!!
I have many leather bound books...
I've been saying this all season... something has to give
winning records follow good bullpens
DAMMIT
We are just ASKING to lose this game. Unreal
winning records follow good bullpens
Ugh you have to throw him a fastball for a strike there
I jsut do not understand going back to the swing and miss change up. What the f
winning records follow good bullpens
No, Nunez. Has he been brought in with runners on base this season?
I don’t feel good about this
winning records follow good bullpens
Is Matt Joyce a switch-hitter?
Is this why Uncle Leo Nunez is getting the nod over Mahay or Gobble?
Nunez has no room for error, because if one run scores, it’s game over….with this abomination known as an “offense.” (thanks, Dayton Moore).
(and a three-true-outcomes 1B who didn’t walk, and a 2B whose best career comp was Bill Mazeroski.)
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Phenomenal pitching
I like our pitching, but expecting Greinke-Meche-Bannister-Hochevar to be Sabes-Jackson-Gubicza-Leibrandt is a tall order. And that 1985 team might not have cracked our top 5 all-time teams (for the regular season, that is).
by Royals Nation on May 13, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Nunez comes in throwing back to back offspeed pitches to get behidn 2-0
WTF
winning records follow good bullpens
One more. Please.
winning records follow good bullpens
Phew!
Please play small-ball for the bottom half. ONE RUN, please.
by Royals Nation on May 13, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
What a bizarre stance by Renteria.
I have to think pulling the ball would be extraordinarily difficult.
Okay, Time to get a run. Please.
winning records follow good bullpens
not to nitpick
but Ryan just said, after nunez threw strike one that “Nunez jumps ahead of Renteria with a strike”. don’t you have to be at 0-2 to “jump” ahead of a hitter? to me, strike one is getting ahead and strike two is “jumping” ahead. am i crazy? does anyone care but me?
I think it depends on the situation
In such a game situation, I suppose you could say Jump.
winning records follow good bullpens
Ouch
Grudz takes one of the shin? Did anyone hear that sound? That’s the sound of trade value taking a hit.
Funny they pulled Robertson with such a low pitch count
Kind of tells you how well t hey thought he was really pitching.
winning records follow good bullpens
I just wish for once we coul dget that clutch
Solo homer
winning records follow good bullpens
i do feel a solo homer coming.
and a save for soria.
Or not....
OK, Gordon – HUGE disappointment thus far in his MLB tenure.
by Royals Nation on May 13, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Only this guy is a righty
winning records follow good bullpens
Alright, winning run at second.
Butler, come through. Please.
winning records follow good bullpens
Well great, now the only guy that's gotten a clutch hit is on the bench for a PR
winning records follow good bullpens
Nevermind, forgot about his hip
winning records follow good bullpens
Yeah
....But is German really a better baserunner or does he possess more speed than Callaspo? I remember reading Callaspo wasn’t a great runner, but then again, is German?
by Royals Nation on May 13, 2008 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Trey would rather put
German in left than Callaspo, maybe? Or save Callaspo to hit?
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Okay. N ow it is up to Teahan.
Be clutch Tbag.
winning records follow good bullpens
Ugh finally
winning records follow good bullpens
I wouldn't call it one
winning records follow good bullpens
Nah, that was a base hit, pretty sure.
Up the middle, Renteria stopped it deep but his throw was… pansy.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
TPJ makes that play
Which is why TPJ > Renteria
winning records follow good bullpens
okay buck: INSURANCE!!!
not that we need it for mexituff.
Don't jinx it... we always need it
winning records follow good bullpens
That was not a good AB by buck
I think every pitch was out of the zone. Whatever. 3 more outs.
winning records follow good bullpens
I can't believe Grudz is still in there
He’s got to have three broken bones, a ligament strain, and shingles.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
This zone is fking brutal
winning records follow good bullpens
good point from announcers
both pinch runners together probably allowed us that extra run.
ONE MORE OUT
winning records follow good bullpens
You aren't watching?
Gload and Soria just turned a friggin’ TRIPLE into an out.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Ballllllgame
winning records follow good bullpens
Yeah baby!
That’s a winner, folks! Temporarily….oh, but just temporarily…...
All is right with the world!!!!
And who got us ahead?
That overpaid asshole who’s not as good as LIME, that’s who.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Oh, and briefly before the bottom of the 9th inning started
Mariano Rivera gave up his first run of the season to earn the L.
Making Soria the last regular relief pitcher in baseball to be unscored upon… excellent!
winning records follow good bullpens
Royals win
I’m happy
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 13, 2008 10:55 PM EDT reply actions
so we're playing .450 ball.
is that going to be our season? are we happy with that?
Answers
No and no.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 13, 2008 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
What would that be?
73 wins? I’m not sure if that will be our season. If our bats pick up then I think we could be around .500. I, personally would not be that mad over a 4 win improvement. I would love it to be a lot more though.
After this sweep, though we are going to be looking for the division!!! (whoa, settle down)
by I need more Esteban on May 13, 2008 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
There's no way the hitting stays this bad
We have multiple players who are currently underperforming even the most conservative projections. There’s no way that holds up. Also, Meche is definitely going to pitch better than he has so far. We’re a better team than this. They’ll show it.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 13, 2008 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Guillen is already showing that he is coming out of his funk. Very exciting.
by I need more Esteban on May 14, 2008 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I wish Gordon would stop swinging at just about every first pitch he sees
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 14, 2008 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I had to listen to the game in the car coming back from a dance recital.
Do you know you can drive a car with you knees while you are pumping your fists in the air and screaming at the top of your lungs. Way to go Noonie and JoSo what a game. I am having a late victory scotch and water. Go Blue….
Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call. "
that's how my dad drives after dance recitals, too
so proud of me, my father is ; )
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on May 13, 2008 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't understand the scoring of the Renteria error
If Teahen’s hit is ruled an infield single, then I guess it was an error because his off-base throw ostensibly allowed the runner to score. But I don’t see how German, running on contact with two outs, doesn’t score on a single to the outfield grass even if Renteria made a decent throw. (It didn’t look like he’d have any chance of forcing Gload regardless.)
There's no way he scores if Renteria doesn't make that bad throw to second
If Renteria had either made a good throw to second or just held onto the ball, there’s no way German could have even considered trying to score. When Renteria got to the ball, I don’t think German was even at third base yet. So the IF single gets German to third. The errant throw gets German from third to home.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 14, 2008 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for straightening that out
I figured you’d get to the bottom of this matter if you were still awake and online, NY. I think I’d mistakenly placed German on third when mentally recreating the scenario. Anyway, this appears to have been one of the rare situations where the Gload-for-Butler pinch-running switch paid tangible dividends!
Hillman was right to play for the win and not the tie
The pinch runners made sense. We needed to score that inning and not play it safe and wait for the game to drag on into extra innings. Guillen with his current hip problem and Butler are probably two of our slowest guys right now. And even if no run had been scored, having Gload in there against the Tigers RHP-heavy bullpen wouldn’t have been a bad thing.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 14, 2008 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Plus Gload's defensive play in the 9th
Not sure Butler could have made that one. Great-looking move all around, it turns out.
Yeah, I'm glad Butler is getting more starts at 1B, but he definitely needs a good defensive replacement
And I’m no Ross Gload fan. I never have been. But I have to say that I’ve been extremely impressed with his defense at 1B this year. I really think that it has been Gold Glove quality. Great range, no errant throws (I think) and picking every throw that gets anywhere near him.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 14, 2008 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Definitely
Soria doesn’t get many chances to show his defense either, and that play in the ninth to pick Gload’s throw was damn impressive (don’t know if you’ve seen it yet).
by I need more Esteban on May 14, 2008 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
That's one of the best picks by a pitcher I've ever seen
On the run, taking a long throw and picking it up about two inches above the ground. And he made it look easy.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 14, 2008 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, impressive
I’m very glad I drafted him in fantasy.
I know it has been talked about to death. But what is your take on what to do with Soria long term? Starter or Reliever?
I’ve heard the arguments about his many pitches and starters are more valuable. But I’ve also heard the Whitey Herzog (I think) approach of building the staff from the back. Not sure what I think, all I know is I love knowing that he is coming in the ninth. And as a Royals fan who can only remember the nineties on, that is such a great feeling.
by I need more Esteban on May 14, 2008 12:37 AM EDT up reply actions
My plan (if I was the boss)
All of the various studies make it clear that good starting pitcher is more valuable to a team than a great closer. Yes, a closer gets a disproportionate amount of high leverage innings, but that still doesn’t make that role more important. And the reality is that every closer gets lots of low leverage appearances (like one-inning, 3-run saves). So the only question is can Soria be a good starter? I think so. He’s got multiple good pitches, so it appears likely that he’d have the stuff to get hitters out 3+ times through the lineup. And of course he’s got amazing control. My only concern is that some don’t entirely like his mechanics and worry that the greater workload would lead to injury. That’s a concern and I’d monitor him closely. This is what I’d do:
1. In the second half of the season, I’d start stretching him out with longer relief outings.
2. Then I’d give him some spot starts in August and September to get his IP for the season up to about 100.
3. In 2009, I’d split his time between starting and relieving, getting his IP up to about 130. (I wouldn’t make him a starter for the entire season, regardless of how well he’s pitching because it is dangerous to increase a pitcher’s IP greatly from one season to the next).
4. Perhaps by 2010 he’d be ready for a full season in the rotation.
Of course the caveat is throughout this period I’d monitor his health and performance closely. If the additional innings give rise to injury or lesser physical problems, I’d dial it back. If he can’t handle starting, he can always go back to the bullpen.
So that’s what I’d do. I think some of his talented is wasted if he stays in the pen. But, of course, it isn’t a total waste. There are some benefits to having a shutdown closer.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 14, 2008 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Sounds perfect when you put it like that.
The first thing I ever heard about Soria was the time he pitched a perfect game in the Mexican League before Spring Training last year. So he has the starting experience to an extent. But, I would be most worried about the injury risk. One can make that argument with any player, though. Time will tell.
by I need more Esteban on May 14, 2008 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't have any idea if they'll ever do it
They might not move him to the rotation because there likely won’t be a huge need for him. For the near future, the top 4 spots in the rotation are set with
Meche
Bannister
Greinke
Hochevar
So the only question mark is the fifth starter. And no team worries too much about its fifth starter. Fifth starters don’t put you into or take you out of contention. And in addition to Tomko-like pitchers which can always be picked up off of the scrap heap, the Royals have guys like Davies and Rosa who might be ready to step into that spot in the near future. So, the lack of a pressing need might keep them from “messing with a good thing.” I don’t think that’s the right way to think about it, but it might be how they look at it. We’ll see.
I probably disagree with you.
by Scott McKinney on May 14, 2008 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
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