I agree with your assessment that THIS is more what I expected this year. Yes, I expected a few more wins at this point….but as far as offense (avg to good), defense (poor), starting pitching (bad), and bullpen (good)….I’m glad to see its kinda leveled out. Maybe it’s the competition…cause my gawd the White Sox are a mess. They’ve got some good pieces and then you watch them wondering what they are doing. But the fact that anyone is maybe more of a mess than the Royals is a great feeling.
One thing I’m starting to question is injury with Singer. Something is amiss. You’ve pointed out mechanics…but when you are down almost 2 full mph from last year….just something seems to be off. The results were good but he didn’t look particularly good from the eye test. But that’s baseball.
After Singer's improvement last year we probably shouldn't be surprised at a little bit of a regression. But like you I'm concerned about the magnitude of it and the reasons behind it.
Part of it is the fact that most MLB hitters have seen him by now, and most AL hitters have seen him multiple times. They've adjusted, and now the question is can he successfully counter-adjust. That dance has been going on in baseball since long before any of us were born.
The entire AL Central now has an OPS under .700. The Royals fell to .698 yesterday. The entire AL Central now has an OPS+ under 93. The Royals fell to 92.
Offense in this division has been, well, offensive. That's why with the Royals' recent surge, I'm almost ready to declare them (and it's really not even close right now) the best offense in this division--right now.
I'm ready to see some new arms be tried out in the rotation with all the rotation health issues. Itching to see Marsh and Veneziano get the promotion to AAA. Carlos has looked good in the bullpen this year. Is there a non-zero chance they'd give him another shot at starting? (probably not)
What do you mean by this phrase? The speed of a pitch deceases after it's released from the hand. Releasing the ball closer to the plate should increase velocity based on the extra leverage and shortened distance to the location between the mound and the plate where pitch speed is measured.
thank you for giving some reasoning to something other than my eye test for distrusting Keller and Singer's recent performances. (And for some reason I look away less when Brady is at the plate v/s Brad). I have to wonder just how bad the sox are.
Super fun win though-I have always liked the bunt (for hits not sacrifice), and I am starting to appreciate the gladiator helmet much more.
I honestly don't even know where we are/ who is in the rotation these days. Assuming Taylor is an opener? (last three games 1 ip and 15 era-oof) But who comes in next tonight? Do they throw the majority of the bullpen minus Chapman at it and bring the Omaha bus in tomorrow? Don't hear many posts complaining about Yarbs and Lyles these days - we need warm bodies with eras under 10 at this point (sadly including relievers)
Much said about two pitch Brady. Yes a change would be nice and effective if the command is there.
A 2 pitch starter can still be very effective. Its all about command and location. The idea has to make pitching sense. Brady has had success with his 2 pitch arsenal when he is sharp and he locates.
There was a brilliant articale in The Athletic by Patrick Mooney on Justin Steele and his 2 pitch offerings. His 1.17 ERA over his last 11 starts is testimony that command and a pitching idea that works trumps raw talent. Steel rarely hits 92 mph but his pitches have purpose and his craft is execution and location. As the writer Mooney points out, it is something learned and hard won and most importantly effective. He is the most difficult picther in baseball to square up. I highly recommend the articale in April 2023.
Its probably what Brady knows, When he is on his game i.e. has command, he feels he can dominate and win. Its not the 3rd pitch. Its command. I wish someone would inteview Greg Maddux for his thoughts on the matter. He had a great arsenal and command...
I agree with your assessment that THIS is more what I expected this year. Yes, I expected a few more wins at this point….but as far as offense (avg to good), defense (poor), starting pitching (bad), and bullpen (good)….I’m glad to see its kinda leveled out. Maybe it’s the competition…cause my gawd the White Sox are a mess. They’ve got some good pieces and then you watch them wondering what they are doing. But the fact that anyone is maybe more of a mess than the Royals is a great feeling.
One thing I’m starting to question is injury with Singer. Something is amiss. You’ve pointed out mechanics…but when you are down almost 2 full mph from last year….just something seems to be off. The results were good but he didn’t look particularly good from the eye test. But that’s baseball.
After Singer's improvement last year we probably shouldn't be surprised at a little bit of a regression. But like you I'm concerned about the magnitude of it and the reasons behind it.
Part of it is the fact that most MLB hitters have seen him by now, and most AL hitters have seen him multiple times. They've adjusted, and now the question is can he successfully counter-adjust. That dance has been going on in baseball since long before any of us were born.
The entire AL Central now has an OPS under .700. The Royals fell to .698 yesterday. The entire AL Central now has an OPS+ under 93. The Royals fell to 92.
Offense in this division has been, well, offensive. That's why with the Royals' recent surge, I'm almost ready to declare them (and it's really not even close right now) the best offense in this division--right now.
I'm ready to see some new arms be tried out in the rotation with all the rotation health issues. Itching to see Marsh and Veneziano get the promotion to AAA. Carlos has looked good in the bullpen this year. Is there a non-zero chance they'd give him another shot at starting? (probably not)
> since it has less time to get up to speed
What do you mean by this phrase? The speed of a pitch deceases after it's released from the hand. Releasing the ball closer to the plate should increase velocity based on the extra leverage and shortened distance to the location between the mound and the plate where pitch speed is measured.
thank you for giving some reasoning to something other than my eye test for distrusting Keller and Singer's recent performances. (And for some reason I look away less when Brady is at the plate v/s Brad). I have to wonder just how bad the sox are.
Super fun win though-I have always liked the bunt (for hits not sacrifice), and I am starting to appreciate the gladiator helmet much more.
I honestly don't even know where we are/ who is in the rotation these days. Assuming Taylor is an opener? (last three games 1 ip and 15 era-oof) But who comes in next tonight? Do they throw the majority of the bullpen minus Chapman at it and bring the Omaha bus in tomorrow? Don't hear many posts complaining about Yarbs and Lyles these days - we need warm bodies with eras under 10 at this point (sadly including relievers)
Much said about two pitch Brady. Yes a change would be nice and effective if the command is there.
A 2 pitch starter can still be very effective. Its all about command and location. The idea has to make pitching sense. Brady has had success with his 2 pitch arsenal when he is sharp and he locates.
There was a brilliant articale in The Athletic by Patrick Mooney on Justin Steele and his 2 pitch offerings. His 1.17 ERA over his last 11 starts is testimony that command and a pitching idea that works trumps raw talent. Steel rarely hits 92 mph but his pitches have purpose and his craft is execution and location. As the writer Mooney points out, it is something learned and hard won and most importantly effective. He is the most difficult picther in baseball to square up. I highly recommend the articale in April 2023.
Its probably what Brady knows, When he is on his game i.e. has command, he feels he can dominate and win. Its not the 3rd pitch. Its command. I wish someone would inteview Greg Maddux for his thoughts on the matter. He had a great arsenal and command...