Mike Aviles is the Only Man Who Can Stop Zack Greinke

by royalsreview on Apr 25, 2009 1:16 AM EDT in News Comment 34 comments

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So here's yet another silly Zack Greinke stat line: 9 innings, 3 hits allowed, 1 walk, and 10 strikeouts.

Dude's awesome. Is there much to say other than that?

Let's worry about Joakim Soria tomorrow.

I think we may have crossed a threshold tonight. There was a fair amount of internet buzz about Greinke's hot start and scoreless streak, and on Sportscenter tonight the answering machine guy who talks about golf alot mentioned that Greinke probably hasn't gotten enough attention, echoing the talking points of the esteemed Sharapova's Thigh blog.

It's almost like when Soria's "Mexicutioner" nickname went national sometime last summer.

Sure, a big part of it was generated by the somewhat arbitrary scoreless innings streak (you need a better example than the streak breaking run?) but the bigger story isn't whether or not Greinke should be a bigger story, but the mere baseball side of it. And the baseball side of it is pretty simple: Greinke is one of the best starters in baseball right now, so we can stop waiting for him to arrive. He's here.

It's enough to make you wonder, can the Royals win the AL Central?

In just under three weeks, and the answer has moved closer to "yes" than it has to "no." That's the first step.

The Royals are now 4-0 in games started by Greinke and 8-3 in games started by the MGD trio of Meche, Greinke, and Davies. I'll let you do the math on their record in games started by "other."

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Zack Greinke is God

That is all.

by marbotty on Apr 25, 2009 1:21 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs

God said "let there be light"

and Zack Greinke said “OK”

by raefzilla on Apr 25, 2009 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or...

Zack said OKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway - An Onymous

by ratherfantastic on Apr 25, 2009 8:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has such awesome command right now. He had maybe one pitch you would consider somewhat wild the whole game unless I missed something.

by augmental on Apr 25, 2009 1:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I Saw A

“K” pitch that missed the mitt by at least 3 feet, but it was still overwhelming. Dude was totally overmatched.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Apr 25, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Streak

After years of hoping that a Royals pitcher could craft a scoreless batters streak, Zack’s scoreless innings streak has been a joy to behold. Earned, unearned, whatever — going that long without allowing a run is amazing. He had every pitch working tonight, and it was simply unfair.

by Black and Gold on Apr 25, 2009 1:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yea...

but i’m a little bummed at how it ended

by royalsreview on Apr 25, 2009 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is only one thing to do about that.

Start a new one.

realistically speaking

by slayor on Apr 25, 2009 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They actually spent real time talking about Greinke on Baseball tonight

They probably spent a legitimate 5 minutes discussing him. Trey was also on speaking glowingly about Zack. I’m still in shock that Greinke got as much air time as the boston-ny game.

by jsolo on Apr 25, 2009 2:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Didn't think I'd ever say this...

But BRING ON TPJ TOMORROW.

(part Aviles needs a day off, part Aviles is frustrating the butt sauce out of me)

Farny being Farny.

by JobDDT on Apr 25, 2009 2:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nice visual.

Aviles is hitting what, .183 right now? TPJ can do that!*

*Not really that confident that TPJ can do that.

by RoyalsFanInBillings on Apr 25, 2009 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

C'mon.

We need to relax on Aviles and let him play this out. We know he’s better than TPJ – even now. And how long did TPJ get last year to exhibit worthlessness.

"I'll be the first one to tell you, Don't follow me. I'll let you down. Follow Jesus." Trey Hillman

OK, got it.

The General Theory of Royaltivity

by kabrink on Apr 25, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But Aviles' defensive woes...

may not be worth letting him ride it out. TPJ can put up .183 with good D. I agree with sitting Aviles and letting him do BP, swing in the cage during games, whatever…just until the end of this series. Of course, I’m going to the game tonight and would not like to see TPJ’s name in the lineup while I’m there…but I think it’d be best for the club.

by stlfan on Apr 25, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aviles "defensive woes"

are way overblown. Yes, he blew that throw after being in the wrong place to take the cutoff, but in general his defense has been solid. Sadly, he’s been more solid than Callaspo at 2B and Jacobs at 1st. Maybe even Butler at 1st.

And TPJ’s defense isn’t that great either. he may make some spectacular ones, but he boots routine plays all the time.

by Big Guy on Apr 25, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK...maybe you're right...

I didn’t think Aviles was all that great last year on D, but according to fangraphs’ UZR numbers, he was better than TPJ by far. This year, TPJ holds a slight lead on Aviles. My bad.

In any case, I wouldn’t mind seeing a day or two off for Aviles to get his head on straight. The Royals need him hitting to keep contending.

by stlfan on Apr 25, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately, tomorrow reality is going to set in.

And I’m going to realize that Joakim Soria is hurt, and we don’t really know how badly.

realistically speaking

by slayor on Apr 25, 2009 2:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"the answering machine guy who talks about golf alot "

I’m sorry, I don’t watch ESPN anymore. Who are you talking about?

Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!

by mazoboom on Apr 25, 2009 5:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i don't know what he meant by answering machine...

but i think it was Scott Van Pelt.

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Apr 25, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

SVP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5a4p3x091A

by Pauli on Apr 25, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

Someone with a lack of game as crippling as mine.

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Apr 25, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The ghost of my grandfather

visited me yesterday and told me that Zack looks a lot like a right handed Sandy Koufax.

Come on, Annie, think of something clever to say, huh? Something full of magic, religion, bullshit. Come on, dazzle me.

by BillyMojo on Apr 25, 2009 9:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm really surprised that the "streak is over"

I assumed it was “innings without allowing an earned run.” The “wacky host” guy at the Royals game contributed to that illusion immediately after the Aviles-error inning by saying something like “This isn’t official yet, but I think that was an unearned run and the streak is still alive!”

by andrewmiller on Apr 25, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Man, the injuries though

are really a downer. I hope Soria isn’t hurt but either one of two things happened: he rested for so long and then came back and that caused the stiffness, in which case Trey is a moron, or he has been hurting for a while, and 9 days off wasn’t enough to solve it. If 9 days wasn’t enough, then how is another 3-5?

I hereby resign from this post.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Apr 25, 2009 10:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He didn't get hurt by resting

And (gasp) Trey Hillman is not the root of all evil!

He’s probably not even hurt. He’s a little stiff and they just gave him a big (for KC) guaranteed $$ deal less than 12 months ago. They have every right/reason to be cautious, especially early in the season.

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Apr 25, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Has anyone else noticed how Billy's patience at the plate has increased?

Still not much pop at the plate but getting on base well. Last 7 games
.292/.452/.333 drawn 7 walks in the last 7 games. Some of those are total gimmys like Reyes and last night where he doesn’t get to look at a strike but still nice to see. The doubles and homers should hopefully be right around the corner.

I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.

by kcscoliny on Apr 25, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's the reason I was really excited about Gordon this season.

The big increase in walks, but also the increase in doubles. Since butler is never going to be a 30 HR guy, I’d like to see some doubles to accompany those walks. Then we may really be on to something.

If you don't understand it, kill it.

by Discodave on Apr 25, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As in the big increase from 07 to 08, not this year.

If you don't understand it, kill it.

by Discodave on Apr 25, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I have commented on it the last few games

but, yeah, things come and go. I still think BIlly will be one of the Royals best 2 hitters, maybe the best, by the end of the year if they just keep playing him.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

by devil_fingers on Apr 25, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs