Game 3 of the Arizona series: 0 runs, 5 hits,13 K's.
We've all seen this movie ("Shutout at the OK Corral") many times before and it has grown indescribably tiresome. At least we didn't have to wait until nearly midnight for it to end.
Their subsequent 3-hit 13-K performance against Minnesota was disappointing but perhaps not surprising when one takes a close look at the lineup: The best BA among the bottom seven guys is .205. Five of them are well below .200. If we were only a few games into the season that would be irrelevant but we've played nearly 1/6th of the schedule now. No, BA clearly isn't as important as OPS. But we've played enough games that it's definitely not insignificant anymore.
Other than watching the PA's of BWJ and Vinnie (plus some idle curiosity as to how long the starting pitcher might last) I'd be hard-pressed to identify even a semi-compelling reason to tune in to these games. Certainly bad baseball is better than no baseball. But I have to make myself flash back to the summer of 1968 in order to keep that perspective.
As far as the schedule, I was thinking just the opposite yesterday: Holy Hell, how ugly is it going to be when they start playing the genuinely good teams: Yankees, Rays, Astros, Mets, Dodgers, Padres? They've only played two so far--Blue Jays & Braves--and looked like they didn't belong on the same field with them.
I agree with all these changes David. It would spark some fan interest too and hopefully restore some hope for this team. Deadwood needs to be moved out and lean even more on the young players...at the very least the Royals should have a better idea of gaps to fill in the offseason.
Taylor should be promoted rather than Garcia as he gives you more position flexibility--send Massey down. When they bring Garcia up they should move Witt to 3rd base and leave him there as Garcia is a SS and not a 3B and upon doing this cut bait on Dozier. Quit pampering Witt as he's not the superstar that they make him out to be. Cut Bradley upon Waters arrival and go with an OF of Oliveraes, Isbel, Waters, MJ and occasionally Taylor. Play Pratto at 1B and live with him--Pasquatino DH most days and cut Reyes loose. Keep Duffy as versatile utility player. Look to trade Chapman, Barlow & Garrett. MY MOVES. By the way I've watched extended spring training daily and Waters has looked good but Austin Charles has stolen the show!
Last night was the first game this year that I didn't see one minute of. I got tuned in on the draft and was compelled with it. I had the Royals taping on my VCR, but never even looked at it. If they keep running Bradley, Reyes, Dozier, etc. a lot of folks are going to completely start tuning out. I don't care who they bring up, just bring somebody different up.
Glad we are hearing good things in the low minors. I’m beginning to wonder if that is going to be the true measuring stick for this group. Essentially, the major league team minus (Witt, Pasq) were too far gone to help….or injuries derailed. That thought is starting to creep up a little more and more. It’s the next group that they have to really improve. I’ve already voiced my thoughts on if JJ gets that chance….but more from the coaching perspective and changes. Maybe this group can’t be helped that much. But big time developments will happen in low minors. That paragraph makes me feel zero percent better. But hey, it’s something I guess.
Royals are both bad and falling victim to the balanced schedule. At least we have 18 games against teams below .400 coming up in May. It will probably make whatever moves happen on May 1 look ingenious. At some point Sherman is going to have to stop shopping the bargain bin for veterans and spend to keep us competitive.
Apr 28, 2023·edited Apr 28, 2023Liked by David Lesky
Reading the start of your post when you say you wonder when they start to believe they are this bad, made me think of the movie The Natural and the "Losing is a disease" scene. If the pitching looks good, we can't hit, if we are hitting we can't pitch and then there are nights that it all looks bad. Maybe ownership needs to worry a little less about building a new billion dollar stadium (I love Kaufman btw) and spend some money on some actual professional baseball players.
*yawn*
Game 3 of the Arizona series: 0 runs, 5 hits,13 K's.
We've all seen this movie ("Shutout at the OK Corral") many times before and it has grown indescribably tiresome. At least we didn't have to wait until nearly midnight for it to end.
Their subsequent 3-hit 13-K performance against Minnesota was disappointing but perhaps not surprising when one takes a close look at the lineup: The best BA among the bottom seven guys is .205. Five of them are well below .200. If we were only a few games into the season that would be irrelevant but we've played nearly 1/6th of the schedule now. No, BA clearly isn't as important as OPS. But we've played enough games that it's definitely not insignificant anymore.
Other than watching the PA's of BWJ and Vinnie (plus some idle curiosity as to how long the starting pitcher might last) I'd be hard-pressed to identify even a semi-compelling reason to tune in to these games. Certainly bad baseball is better than no baseball. But I have to make myself flash back to the summer of 1968 in order to keep that perspective.
As far as the schedule, I was thinking just the opposite yesterday: Holy Hell, how ugly is it going to be when they start playing the genuinely good teams: Yankees, Rays, Astros, Mets, Dodgers, Padres? They've only played two so far--Blue Jays & Braves--and looked like they didn't belong on the same field with them.
I agree with all these changes David. It would spark some fan interest too and hopefully restore some hope for this team. Deadwood needs to be moved out and lean even more on the young players...at the very least the Royals should have a better idea of gaps to fill in the offseason.
Taylor should be promoted rather than Garcia as he gives you more position flexibility--send Massey down. When they bring Garcia up they should move Witt to 3rd base and leave him there as Garcia is a SS and not a 3B and upon doing this cut bait on Dozier. Quit pampering Witt as he's not the superstar that they make him out to be. Cut Bradley upon Waters arrival and go with an OF of Oliveraes, Isbel, Waters, MJ and occasionally Taylor. Play Pratto at 1B and live with him--Pasquatino DH most days and cut Reyes loose. Keep Duffy as versatile utility player. Look to trade Chapman, Barlow & Garrett. MY MOVES. By the way I've watched extended spring training daily and Waters has looked good but Austin Charles has stolen the show!
Last night was the first game this year that I didn't see one minute of. I got tuned in on the draft and was compelled with it. I had the Royals taping on my VCR, but never even looked at it. If they keep running Bradley, Reyes, Dozier, etc. a lot of folks are going to completely start tuning out. I don't care who they bring up, just bring somebody different up.
Time to go full youth
Love your thoughts on "What Can They Do." I'm hoping the Royals in fact take some of those steps.
Glad we are hearing good things in the low minors. I’m beginning to wonder if that is going to be the true measuring stick for this group. Essentially, the major league team minus (Witt, Pasq) were too far gone to help….or injuries derailed. That thought is starting to creep up a little more and more. It’s the next group that they have to really improve. I’ve already voiced my thoughts on if JJ gets that chance….but more from the coaching perspective and changes. Maybe this group can’t be helped that much. But big time developments will happen in low minors. That paragraph makes me feel zero percent better. But hey, it’s something I guess.
Royals are both bad and falling victim to the balanced schedule. At least we have 18 games against teams below .400 coming up in May. It will probably make whatever moves happen on May 1 look ingenious. At some point Sherman is going to have to stop shopping the bargain bin for veterans and spend to keep us competitive.
Reading the start of your post when you say you wonder when they start to believe they are this bad, made me think of the movie The Natural and the "Losing is a disease" scene. If the pitching looks good, we can't hit, if we are hitting we can't pitch and then there are nights that it all looks bad. Maybe ownership needs to worry a little less about building a new billion dollar stadium (I love Kaufman btw) and spend some money on some actual professional baseball players.