Impotent Offense Dooms Royals, Wastes Nice Work by Ponson
by royalsreview on Apr 26, 2009 8:39 PM EDT
in News
31 comments
Last night, due to a poor outing by Hiram Davies, the offensive ineptitude mattered little. Today however, it was a killer, as the Royals saw their already modest record in close games deprove.
As mentioned in the game thread, baseball remains a complex sport: good pitching plus bad offense still equals mediocre. And for those dreaming of a return to the scoring levels of the 1970s, at least three weeks in, it doesn't look like that's the case. (Of course, we had to restore our national innocence and have since dubbed the last fifteen years "the steroid era" because only hitters juiced and thus hit home runs, so now we have returned to the old bugaboo of the juiced ball... anything except the most obvious explanations must do.)
So you can look at the team's record of 9-9 from a couple different angles: its either a tick better than we may have expected, or something of a bummer considering all the good pitching that the team has wasted in the starts of Meche & Davies (to an extent) as well as some close losses during Sir Sidney's starts.
Still, the offensive approach was uncharacteristically sound today at the K (six walks?) but those magical hits just never game when it seemed to matter. Most of this is bad luck/timing, unless you're strongly into the Church of Clutch, of which I'm not a member.
And so, the Royals still sit on only one win in games not started by the MGD Trio.
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Same ole Royals
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.
by kcscoliny on Apr 26, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Now I see why the Front Office doesn't understand OBP!
If your hitters can't hit, what's the point of walks?
Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!
by mazoboom on Apr 26, 2009 6:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Depressing.
Lost 2 of 3 to Cleveland, now Detroit. Not the way to be competitive. Now we are depending on Bannister to prevent this skit from getting ugly. Not good.
realistically speaking
by slayor on Apr 26, 2009 6:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I liked it the first way
I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.
by devil_fingers on Apr 26, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
unfortunately, I think skit works there too.
If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.
by Warden11 on Apr 26, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A couple nice signs for Aviles
he grounded two balls up the middle which is what he was doing last year and then finally made solid contact on his HR.
Frank described his swing perfectly if he continues to bail that front foot out and turn his hips he isn’t gonna get any coverage on the outside of the plate and won’t be able to effectively hit to the opposite field
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.
by kcscoliny on Apr 26, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"Deprove"
heh, nice
Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!
by mazoboom on Apr 26, 2009 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So what's the answer?
Is there a solution to be found in shuffling the batting order? Are there guys in AAA who could be catalysts?
I’m not as skilled a baseball observer as most of the posters here – I’m a regular reader and sideline observer – but it seems to me that we’ve seen a better, more professional approach at the plate this year. It’s just not translating to runs. What’s missing?
by boxerdogmojo on Apr 26, 2009 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OT - at least for this post
there is another baseball gamoe on now – I think it might be the Yankees and Red Sox
Angel is not showing is best at third base tonight
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Apr 26, 2009 9:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Baseball Musings linup analysis has our optimal lineup as
Teahen
Buck
Jacobs
Callaspo
Crisp
Aviles
Bulter
DDJ
Guillen
Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?
by averagegatsby on Apr 26, 2009 9:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Any lineup with Buck hitting second is just flat stupid.
It was a nice fast start but he will continue to regress and end up around his normal figures. Neither catcher is really worth a darn and Buck should start until Olivo pulls his head out of his A. Except on Greinkie starts, Greinke seems to really like throwing to Olivo
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.
by kcscoliny on Apr 26, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed...
but its still fun to play with. Hell with the way the offense has been stranding players its not like it could be much worse.
Are you telling me Jesus Christ cant hit a curve ball?
by averagegatsby on Apr 26, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trey would not use that in a gazillion years
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Apr 26, 2009 9:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
In other news
2 Berroa errors in Yanks vs. Sawks on prime time.
Yep.
Farny being Farny.
by JobDDT on Apr 26, 2009 9:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
It was also interesting that Phillips brought up how well Greinke is doing and the silence from Morgan and Miller was deafening. They clearly didn’t care to have any conversation about anything but The Rivalry. Unless I missed something. I just walked in the room when Phillips was speaking.
"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 26, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What are Greinke's numbers against Sheffield?
I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.
by devil_fingers on Apr 26, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty sure
In like the third inning, they had a graphic up of Strikeout leaders. So Johan, Zack etc. And Joe Morgan commented on how fast Zack had got out of the gate and that he “had figured it out”.
The Allard Baird of incisive internet discourse.
by kcbottom9th on Apr 27, 2009 7:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully
Aviles’ HR is a sign that maybe he’s coming around. I thought there was a little stretch where Butler was starting to get locked in but it went poof very quickly. Now he’s little more than a singles hitter. I hope he gets it figured out, hell I hope the whole team gets it figured out. It’s early, so let’s hope the pitching continues to shine and the hitters start to pick up the pace.
I hereby resign from this post.
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Apr 26, 2009 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This sucks.
Was really hoping things would work out offensively this year.
If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.
by Warden11 on Apr 26, 2009 10:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is Billy crowding the plate again?
Last year his big adjustment in the second half was backing off the plate a step or two. It appears everything he is doing exactly what he did last year in the first half. Everything he hits is on the ground or weakly hit flyballs. His plate discipline has gotten much better but if he can’t turn the pitches in his zone around then his discipline won’t really mean much. His career versus lefties is 980+ and this year he only has a OPS of around 560.
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.
by kcscoliny on Apr 26, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Royals face 3 lefties in the Jays series according to the probables
with Guillen back hopefully Aviles and Butler can find their stroke and KC can get the offense going.
Coco CF
Callaspo 2b
Teahen 3b
Guillen RF
Butler 1b
DDJ LF
Buck C
Jacobs DH
Aviles SS
I would probably try a lineup like this. Move the struggling DDJ down and don’t move Aviles up until he shows signs of life. If Olivo was even sniffing the ball it might be nice to DH him. Maybe give Jacobs a day off and DH Guillen while you play the Spork in RF. He has had a decent plate approach at least.
I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.
by kcscoliny on Apr 26, 2009 10:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i think trey would be well served to get as many righties in the lineup as possible
coco cf
callaspo 2b
butler 1b
guillen rf
teahen 3b
olivo dh
ddj lf
buck c
aviles ss
olivo has been godawful at the plate, but historically he’s smashed lefties so I would not be opposed to seeing both him and buck in the lineup
realistically speaking
by slayor on Apr 26, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here come the Blue Jays
Hi guys – Jays fan here.
The GOOD news for you is that our offense is cooling off – down from “OMG” to just “ain’t that purddy.” The OTHER GOOD news for you guys is that you miss Halladay.
You’re going to get Purcey 1-0, era 6.10 against Bannister 1-0, 0.00. Purcey’s got very little control right now but very good stuff. Gets into way more messes than actually come around to hurt him. Thus given his high era he’s still looked at with interest by us Jay’s fans. Pitching Advantage – you guys.
Richmond 2-0, 3.31 against Meche 1-1, 2.63. Richmond is a big right hander who was not drafted and played semi-pro ball. The Jay’s picked him up last year (he’s 29!) and he’s been surprisingly good. He’s got no great pitch but mixes in 4 “solid average” pitches including a 93 mph heater. Given his lack of reputation or experience he’ll surprise you. Pitching Advantage – even.
Tallet 1-0, 2.95 against Greinke 4-0, 0.00. Tallet is a left handed version of Richmond – but with a longer – better – track record. He is very good – don’t take him lightly. Pitching Advantage – you guys.
Burris is the proverbial “bucket of bolts.” UGH! Pitching Advantage – who’s got the worse dog? My gut reaction is we do – Pitching Advantage – you guys.
Offensively – another story.
Our first two hitters, Scutero and Hill have been other worldly. Rios is JUST starting to find his stroke and Vernon Wells – when not popping out on the first pitch (his favorite hobby) is contributing. HOWEVER – the next FIVE guys are WOW!!! Lind (L), Rolen®, Overbay (L), Barajas® and Snider (L) are ALL scary as sh*t! Lind is just a natural born hitter – two or three doubles a game! Rolen has his MVP stroke back after years of injuries, Overbay is hitting like stink, Barajas is hitting the ball HARDER than anyone I’ve seen in years and…How scary is this… teams are bringing in lefty specialist to face Snider, our number 9 hitter, and the other day with two out and a guy on second they INTENTIONALLY walked him. This guy is SOME number 9 hitter!
Pitching wise – we should be in the Richmond and Tallet games. Purcey MIGHT be OK. Burris – UGH. However, if your starters falter – and your pen ain’t great (Is your pen great? Ours is FANTASTIC!) then the Jay’s could take three games and win their 7th consecutive series to start the 09 season.
Good luck! Gentlemen – start your engines!
by Mylegacy on Apr 27, 2009 1:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Our pen will be a lot better if Soria is able to come back soon.
Kansas City Royals: your 2006 and 2007 NL Central champions!
by mazoboom on Apr 27, 2009 6:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mylegacy
I have a feeling the Royals’ offense is about to open a sizable can of whoop-ass, and the first helping will be sitting eagerly on your plate.
The Jays are more screwed in ’09 than a creaky plank. Enjoy the success now, because the BJs are going down. Big-time.
by sumajestad on Apr 27, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Undrafted Semi-Pro pitcher even against Meche
Are those Vegas odds? What is Ricciardi saying about Meche these days (loudly on talk radio)?
*You think I'm good* "You know, that Farnsworth is pretty good." *You will give me 9 million dollars* "So, Farnsy, how does $9 million sound?"
by jackie ballgame on Apr 27, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Point of explanation...
I gave “Meche” the PITCHING advantage over “Richmond.” HOWEVER – in that game – considering that the Jays are going to be allowed to have at least 27 guys BAT – I give the GAME outcome as a toss-up.
As to Meche – Jays fans really like him. JP tried to get him and Ted Lilly (as you may recall) we got neither and have been LUCKY (no question we’ve caught lightening in a bottle) by finding Marcum, McGowan, Litsch, Tallet, Romero, Richmond and Purcey ALL of whom have performed WAY BETTER than we’ve had any right to expect. BUT – we’ll take them.
By mid-May Halladay®, Romero (L), Richmond®, Tallet (L) and Purcey (L) will give us a very competent five starters – given our exceptional hitting and wonderful bullpen. In addition – Accardo® is almost ready to come back and Janssen®, Marcum®, Cecil (L), Mills (L), Ray® and Rzepczynski (L) should ALL be up for some time this year.
by Mylegacy on Apr 27, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Marcum --
underrated draft pick by J.P., who’s loud mouth and abrasive personality have overshadowed a lot of the good work he’s done with the Jays in the toughest division in baseball.
Aaron Hill is also a stud — he’s not this good with the bat, of course, but with the glove, he’s as good as O-Dog in his prime (and I love the O-Dog).
I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.
by devil_fingers on Apr 27, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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