Royals Rumblings - News for October 29, 2018

Royals Rumblings - News for October 29, 2018

Mark Steubinger of Da Windy City says trading for Whit Merrifield should be a priority for the Cubs.

The Cubs haven’t had a proven leadoff hitter since Dexter Fowler packed his bags after the 2016 season, and Merrifield would be the perfect fit for that role. He served as the primary leadoff hitter in Kansas City in each of the last two seasons, with nearly 77 percent of his plate appearances coming at the top of the lineup.

Wayne Cavadi at Minor League Ball writes that Scott Blewett is faring well in the Arizona Fall League.

I’ve seen several reports now say the the fastball hits 96, but sits 93. Obviously, his monstrous frame adds the deception of sink coming down at opposing hitters. The consensus is that his mid-70s curve is tremendously improved, while the change is still “getting there”.

Blewett went 8-6 this year in the Texas League, posting a 4.79 ERA and 1.44 WHIP that were both higher than last year’s stop in Wilmington. He struck out 100 batters while walking 49 in 148.1 innings, posting the worst strikeout rate of his career, but at the same time the second-best walk rate of his career. Thanks to that sink, he gets a lot of ground balls, so maybe as the defense improves up the ladder, that pesky .319 BAA will come down and help him. Both lefties and righties seem to hit him equally well, so once he refines his pitches, he should become more effective.

Hey, Salvador Perez got married over the weekend!

Ryan Madson is faltering when the Dodgers need him the most.

Chris Sale’s fiery speech may have helped the Red Sox with their Game 4 comeback.

Russell Carleton at Baseball Prospectus thinks starting pitchers will be fine.

Jeff Zimmerman looks at which pitches free agent pitchers can improve upon.

The Mets will hire player agent Brodie Van Wagenen as their GM.

Who are the Twins considering to be their next manager?

The Rays are suffering a brain drain.

Hank Aaron finds the rise in strikeouts to be embarrassing.

Maybe post-season games aren’t too long, we just have more games than we used to.

Game 1 of the Japan Series ends in a 12-inning tie.

Kansas City native Trevor Rosenthal wants to hold a showcase for teams.

Milwaukee Bucks owner Wes Edens is being subpoenaed in a sex dungeon lawsuit.

Would Le’Veon Bell really sit out the entire season?

Some of the best data visualizations from the Information is Beautiful Awards.

What’s fact and what’s fiction in the new film Bohemian Rhapsody.

30 great black and white horror movies worth revisiting.

Your song of the day is Dinosaur Jr. with Feel the Pain.