Royals Rumblings - News for April 7, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for April 7, 2017

Zach Karm at The Ringer writes that while once a strength, Royals bullpen could be a weakness.

Their replacements are unproven and flammable in an entirely different way than their forebears. For context, the Royals allowed six-plus runs in an inning in the seventh or later just four times total between 2014 and 2016; they did so in their first two games this season, turning tied and close scores into unredeemable deficits. Now, Kansas City’s bullpen has to throw 30 1/3 consecutive shutout innings just to lower its 2017 ERA to match its mark from the past three years.

Before the season began, FanGraphs ranked Kansas City’s bullpen as the 28th best in baseball. Herrera is still a top reliever with a 2.30 ERA since the start of 2014, but he has shifted to the ninth inning, from where he’s unlikely to budge given manager Ned Yost’s insistence on maintaining rigid relief roles. The drop-off starts immediately after him.

Jason Hammel doesn’t know what’s up with all the walks handed out by Royals pitchers.

“I think we had 23 or 24 walks in three games,” he said. “That’s unheard of. That’s just absurd. So we got to throw strikes.”

Jason Vargas says he is ready for a full season after coming back from Tommy John surgery.

“I feel like we’ve done everything that we need to do to be in a good situation to start the year and have a healthy year,” Vargas said. “So no one can predict the future, but right now, for everything that we did, I really didn’t have any issues and I’ve felt really good about being able to throw the ball and recover. I feel really good where I’m at right now.”

The Royals are still confident in Matt Strahm despite his struggles.

In the moments after Wednesday’s loss, Royals pitching coach Dave Eiland said Strahm simply needed to get back “on the attack”. The club, however, remains confident in his stuff. The proof is in the results from last season.

“We know what Strahm’s capable of, and Woody’s track record,” Eiland said. “And what we saw in the spring. It’s one of those things.”

Lee Judge thinks walks are boring.

Alex Gordon did something cool for a kid at the game Wednesday.

Here is the lineup of local bands that will be playing at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday games.

Stubhub is changing the way it sells Royals tickets this year.

Chris Kamler gives the idiot’s guide to buying Royals tickets.

Jen Nevius at Drinking the Royals Blue Aid talks to Wilmington shortstop Nicky Lopez.

A baseball just happened to stick to Yadier Molina.

Houston’s pitching staff looks like they’re in good shape.

Ryan Howard signs with the Braves.

Who are the new faces of baseball?

Keon Broxton says a helmet flap saved his life.

Once a hero in Korea, Eric Thames is trying to cut it with the Brewers.

Of course Tim Tebow homered in his very first professional at-bat.

Derek Jeter may be interested in buying the Marlins.

A suspended Reds prospect is shown doing drugs on Snapchat.

Dustin Johnson withdraws from the Masters.

The biggest draft need for all 32 NFL teams.

Youtube won’t let creators monetize their content until they reach 10,000 views.

Richard Simmons is back with a licensing deal.

RIP Don Rickles, who had the best Frank Sinatra story.

Your song of the day is The Supremes with Reflections.