Royals Rumblings - News for September 5, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for September 5, 2017

Is Scott Alexander the best option for closer right now?

“I’m just trying to attack the bottom part of the zone,” Alexander said. “Make them hit it on the ground.”

Alexander lowered his ERA to 2.18 while completing his 47th appearance. In moments, he has been the Royals’ most reliable reliever.

As a sinkerballer, his strikeout rate is not overly dominant (7.7 per nine innings). But he leads all major-league relievers in ground-ball percentage, inducing contact on the ground 75 percent of the time.

The Royals have been grooming Mitch Maier to take over for Rusty Kuntz.

The goal, Maier said, is to offer players the same terminology and instructions in the minor leagues so they’re ready to understand Kuntz’s system once they arrive in Kansas City. Maier has spent much of the last three years by Kuntz’s side, soaking in the knowledge and mastering the art of outfield placements, scouting reports, and the keys that opposing pitchers offer potential base-stealers.

“It’s hard to find them that are that good,” Kuntz said of Maier’s coaching potential. “So if you got them, you got to use them.”

So in time, perhaps Maier can become the next Kuntz. But here’s one question: Does he have a catchphrase like Kuntz’s “Hey, player!”?

“I don’t,” Maier said. “I’ve been working on it. I’ve been brainstorming.”

Alex Duvall at Kings of Kauffman isn’t ready to throw in the towel on the season just yet.

The Minnesota Twins, who the Royals play four more times in Kansas City this weekend, will be in Tampa Bay for a three-game set against the Rays this week. If the Kansas City Royals can sweep Detroit this week (like they ought to be able to) and find a way to take 3 of 4 from Minnesota this weekend, they will catapult themselves right back into the thick of the playoff race in seven days.

Mikie Mahtook’s look when Alex Gordon robs him of a home run is the best.

The Tigers responded to the catch on Twitter with some humor.

Lee Judge explains why umpires miss some pitches.

Eric Longenhagen at ESPN gives honorable mention to Royals prospects Seuly Matias and M.J. Melendez as some of the highest upside hitting prospects in baseball.

Bill Murray sings Take Me Out to the Ballgame at the T-Bones game.

It looks like Derek Jeter will continue having the Marlins run on the cheap.

Giancarlo Stanton dents a TV camera with his 53rd home run.

J.D. Martinez hits four home runs in a game for the Diamondbacks.

Can Joel Goldberg make a catch like this?

The spirit of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League lives on.

UCLA’s fake spike to complete a comeback against Texas A&M was done with a stopped clock.

Catch up on NFL waiver claims and practice squad signings.

Media conglomerate Tronc will buy the New York Daily News for zero dollars.

Nintendo reveals that Mario is no longer a plumber.

Do we deserve answers after the Twin Peaks finale?

Your song of the day is Steely Dan with Reelin’ in the Years.