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Game 43 Open Thread - Royals (21-22) at Red Sox (27-19)

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Kansas City @ Boston


Yet another shot at .500. If the last series was the Battle for the Memory of Scott Pose then that makes Royals-Sawks... The Dougie Mientkiewicz Bowl? Luis Alicea was on both teams, wasn't he?

 

Lineup

Kansas City Royals @ Boston Red Sox

05/19/08 7:05 PM EDT

Kansas City Royals Boston Red Sox
David DeJesus - CF Jacoby Ellsbury - CF
Mark Grudzielanek - 2B Dustin Pedroia - 2B
Alex Gordon - 3B David Ortiz - DH
Jose Guillen - DH Manny Ramirez - LF
Billy Butler - 1B Mike Lowell - 3B
Miguel Olivo - C Kevin Youkilis - 1B
Mark Teahen - RF J.D. Drew - RF
Esteban German - LF Jason Varitek - C
Tony Pena - SS Julio Lugo - SS


 

 

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FIRST!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 19, 2008 6:48 PM EDT   0 recs

+1

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 19, 2008 6:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Some interesting matchups in this series

Hochevar vs. Lester (battle of the top prospects)
Meche vs. Masterson
Tomko vs. Colon (battle of the Royals 5th SP FA possibilities)
Bannister vs. Matsuzaka (brains vs. Japanese…something)
Guillen vs. the Green Monster

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 19, 2008 6:50 PM EDT   0 recs

I'm glad German is getting the call over Gathright

I’m really getting tired of watching Slappy Joe fail to hit.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 19, 2008 6:51 PM EDT   0 recs

thats what she said

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 19, 2008 6:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

But he's fast!

And despite his zone ratings, some guy has SEEN his awesome range

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Too bad he isn't playiing

I’d like to see if he could leap the Green Monster. Failling that, maybe he could get enough momentum to leave a Gathright-shaped hole in it.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Man, that is a depressing chart.

I wouldn’t take any of our position players over theirs, with the possible exception of Olivo. That’s a fairly damning indictment. I would be really happy with a 2-2 split this series, I expect more like 1-3.

by Eppenweb on May 19, 2008 7:05 PM EDT   0 recs

Glad the camera is shaking like crazy

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 19, 2008 7:09 PM EDT   0 recs

Take some dramamine

Then chase it with a six of Mickeys

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

This is so annoying.. them must have a 80 MPH wind there..

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 19, 2008 7:16 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That innings was quite efficient!

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:12 PM EDT   0 recs

Lester looked really sharp in the first

Having 2 lefties up didn’t help either… this could be a long night, Luke better be throwing strikes down in the zone.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:12 PM EDT   0 recs

Man, that Red Sox lineup is one scary mother. No easy outs until Varitek/Lugo . . .

And even they aren’t easy outs on par with Tony “my bat needs viagara” Pena Jr.

by Eppenweb on May 19, 2008 7:14 PM EDT   0 recs

Varitek is nothign close to an easy out

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i really dont like varitek

by royalsreview on May 19, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not a fan, either

but why is that? Acting all tough with A-Rod but leaving his mask on during the scuffle?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

the whole schtick generally

and he’s like 5 years into the whole was once underrated now overrated thing

i find it generally hard to like boston atletes though

by royalsreview on May 19, 2008 7:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Other than Manny, right?

Sorry. Never been a Red Sox fan, but, like so many others, I find the guy hard to resist.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+1.

I hate almost every single athlete in Boston, with two exceptions.

1) Paul Pierce - Kansas guy
2) ManRam - Impossible not to love, IMO.

In fact, ManRam might be my favorite non-Royal in the MLB. Possibly.

by rockchalk on May 19, 2008 7:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i enjoy him, yea

by royalsreview on May 19, 2008 7:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Isn't that kinda letting the media narrative on an athlete determine how you feel?

I mean, Varitek is still the same guy, regardless of his rating.

by Eppenweb on May 19, 2008 7:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

fair enough… but i’ve seen no evidence he ever didn’t take credit for the Arod fiasco

and no one is making him wear that stupid C on his jersey

by royalsreview on May 19, 2008 7:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

"but i’ve seen no evidence he ever didn’t take credit for the Arod fiasco"

Wow, that’s so difficult to understand that I might as well have written it. Can you rephrase? Is this about the fight?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:36 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Even if Pedroia's performance falls off

he knows that, with Eckstein nearing the end, he’ll always have fans in the press

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:15 PM EDT   0 recs

Gotta love the 10 pitch inning from Luke

Velocity is good and the sinker is sinking

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Hoch ERA update 3.82

by royalsreview on May 19, 2008 7:19 PM EDT   0 recs

10 year extension NOW!

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, but Soria's innings are more valuable

being a closer and all… don’cha know

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

We're gonna have to lay off that running fastball to righties

Or it’s gona be a really long night

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Is this the first "direct confrontation" between Butler and Manny?

if so, history in the making

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:22 PM EDT   0 recs

Did that count?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice AB from Butler

Olivo needs to hit one over the monster

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Can't believe Butler didn't try to take second on that walk

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

havent checked… is Buck still gone?

by royalsreview on May 19, 2008 7:25 PM EDT   0 recs

according to CBS, he was activated today

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lefty pitching, so olivo

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I wonder if Teahen will K on 3 pitches or 4

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:27 PM EDT   0 recs

I'm guessing weak grounder to Lugo/Lowell

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Teahen has been beyond brutal against lefties this year

Just one horrible AB after another. What a disappointing season.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:30 PM EDT   0 recs

Teahen is impressing me less and less...

Would we be better off trading him? Obviously, it depends on the deal, I understand that, but what could we realistically get?

We don’t have a whole lot of options in the minors, with the possible exception of Lubanski, so he is our best current option, unless we get crazy-creative. Like, DHing Callaspo and moving Guillen to RF. Still, I would rather have Teahen in there than Gload/German/Gathright.

I’m really just talking out loud right now…

by rockchalk on May 19, 2008 7:36 PM EDT   0 recs

What are we going to get for him in a trade?

At best right now he’s a platoon player against right handed pitchers… and he’s making like 2.5 mil, so we aren’t paying league minimum either.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

he really has no value as COF

he could and probably should be playing 3rd for a team that needs a 3b

by royalsreview on May 19, 2008 7:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

I thought after his “big season” (which at the time I have to say I thought was an outlier), that with Gordon coming up, they should have tried to trade him to the Twins (perpetually in need of a 3B) for one of their many pitching prospects: Garza, Perkins, even Scott Baker wouldn’t have been so bad (this was before Moore started accumulating pitching)

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly.

I was thinking more of a package like thing. Like, say, we could deal Teahen plus a pitching prospect (Blake Wood, just to throw out a name) for a legitimate, power-hitting RF prospect that is MLB ready. Maybe I am overrating him, but I think he would could be a really, really valuable bench guy for a contender.

A good defensive guy that can play all three outfield positions (at least has the ability to play center), third very well and first very well. And a guy who hits righties fairly well. Kind of.

by rockchalk on May 19, 2008 7:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Even if that were a good idea, his value is low right now anyway

and even if one is losing faith in him, I would say that it would be hard to get someone better in a trade at this point anyway. Hold on to him to see if he develops. He doesn’t cost much, so if he doesn’t improve, he can always be a 4th OF.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree on the 4th OF comment.

The market for him, IMO, is for a contender to pick him up as a 4th OFer who almost never hits against lefties. If we could find another outfielder that has legitimate power potential (Moustakas fits the bill, but he is quite far off and I think they are planning on him taking over for Guillen when Guillen’s three year deal is up), it would be pretty cool to have Teabag as our 4th OFer…

by rockchalk on May 19, 2008 7:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

So he just throws a double play ball

He is our fausto carmona

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Nice!

Getting Youk to GIDP – good job.

by Eppenweb on May 19, 2008 7:38 PM EDT   0 recs

Anybody else watching the game on NESN?

They’ve kept the press box audio on through most of this commercial break. The color guy talked conversationally about how he’s impressed by “this kid” Hochevar and how he gets a lot of ground balls. Then they talked about how awful American Airlines is.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 19, 2008 7:40 PM EDT   0 recs

lucky it was pretty tame!

by royalsreview on May 19, 2008 7:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Before I take a break

what’s the over/under on which inning Gload mysteriously gets subbed in for Butler?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:42 PM EDT   0 recs

bottom of 7

by royalsreview on May 19, 2008 7:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Good Ab from German though not good result

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:42 PM EDT   0 recs

We're making Lester throw a decent number of pitches.

Hopefully we can get to him in later innings.

by Eppenweb on May 19, 2008 7:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

well, we were until Pena

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

BUNTING IS THE KEY TO THE UNIVERSE

C’mon, TPJ!

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:43 PM EDT   0 recs

Another non-sequitor

Anyone else start giggling whenever they think of the nickname “G-Load” for Ross Gload. I tihnk I’d like him a lot better (perhaps approaching the level of “Joel”) if everyone started calling him that.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on May 19, 2008 7:44 PM EDT   0 recs

Well, through three innings we've been completely punchless.

Also, it is me or is DeJesus on one hell of a cold streak? The second game in the Marlins series was atrocious for him, and I haven’t seem him do especially well since then.

by Eppenweb on May 19, 2008 7:46 PM EDT   0 recs

Also, if this is a 1-run game, I predict we lose.

5/9 of the Red Sox lineup is a threat to go yard at anytime. Meanwhile, I can only imagine Guillen or Olivo doing it for us.

by Eppenweb on May 19, 2008 7:49 PM EDT   0 recs

And I thought I was negative

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I hate 3 yr old hits

Def : 3 yr old hits a ball that bounces and goes outta the infield or loops outta the infield

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 19, 2008 7:49 PM EDT   0 recs

We are gonna flex

our HR muscles with that 280 ft fence

sign Greinke a Evan Longoria type deal now.

by kcscoliny on May 19, 2008 7:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

thats a 2 yr old hit from V-tec

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 19, 2008 7:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Here we go

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:51 PM EDT   0 recs

The sinker is sinking, they are just finding holes...

His control is never going to be pinpoint, his pitches have so much natural movement.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:53 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, another GIDP minimizes the damage.

But this is like death by 1000 bloopers.

by Eppenweb on May 19, 2008 7:54 PM EDT   0 recs

This series against Boston provides a good opportunity to review Allard Baird's

fateful decision to spurn the Red Sox offering of Kevin Youkilis for Carlos Belatran back in aught 05. Thankfully, Baird was able to tunnel vision on the As and grab us Mark “3 great months DOES equal a career” Teahen and John “I’m half the man Mike McFarlane is” Buck. Wait, we did get Yimmy Yobble too.

Of course Youkilis is sort of tearing sh*t up. But Allard wasn’t much for getting the high side of a trade.

by MKforKC on May 19, 2008 7:54 PM EDT   0 recs

2 innings

to double play balls

sign Greinke a Evan Longoria type deal now.

by kcscoliny on May 19, 2008 7:54 PM EDT   0 recs

Really neeed to get Pedroia right here

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 19, 2008 7:55 PM EDT   0 recs

This is the guy you wanna get -- the Pediatrition

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by