Many of the statements you make, especially regarding Bubic, I agree with. But...many of the improvements you suggest should have been discovered in the minors, not in the majors.
They are a whole lot more fun. Certainly more enjoyable to pay attention too and probably for you to write about.
Probably time for you to remind me that they are actually going to make changes to the pitching this offseason. You may have to do that…oh IDK…a couple time a month here. I’m still of the belief Bubic is pitching more to his capabilities not over his skies. I felt like we had determined last year that he was a back end of the rotation guy with his strong finish. Whoever it is….gets credit for Singer…Lynch you could say is passable the progress. They shouldn’t get credit for getting Bubic back to being the guy he is. With a strong finish I can see him finishing with the numbers right around the last two years. 4.30-4.50 era, high 1.30’s whip…still too many walks. I just don’t want them to celebrate the progress Bubic is making as a win…..Singer win…Lynch…still in progress. Bubic no. But that’s just me wanting to MAKE SURE changes are made. Lol.
Offense wise, damn, they will be just fine with some more seasoning.
Well the baby Royals are fun enough to make me start watching again, even if Cal is still on staff. Singer's start was magical and Barlow's bailout was epic IMO. Even in the loss in the DH blowing Heasley's start there was a feeling of hope and possibility that wasn't there the first half of the season with the 'old guy lineup'. And last night was a pure blast; great start by Bubic and the boys (both young and old "Thanks Salvy") paid that hope off!
IMO there is something to be said for swagger; especially that which doesn't necessarily disrespect your opponent. MJ was talking to his dugout, Hosmer (like him or not lol) was wearing his backpack and Ibanez was talking to his teammates. Swag to me, is positive energy, and yes, positive begets positive, and yes, the Royals are fun to watch again - and it didn't take 30 years. Royals fans rejoice!
David, nice analysis on Bubic. Enjoyed watching him work last night. He and Singer have a little bit of bulldoggishness I like seeing. (Oh and Staumont and Coleman -- lights out!)
You are so right on the difference in the team. Not long ago I would have turned it off after the Sox went up, knowing the only team scoring after that point would be Chicago again. I appreciate the swagger and enthusiasm from these guys, and frankly just a different approach. Love the plate discipline and willingness to walk and let the next guy be the hero. No quit.
You could be right about the MJ homer being the turning point, but I'm sticking with Pratto's walk-off Saturday. That was high drama, and they came out Sunday and crushed the Bosox, and seemingly have just kept going.
I like you mentioned Hosmer, because I was watching the Sunday beatdown and wondering what Hoz was thinking about what he was seeing. Maybe some similarities to 2014...?
I feel really bad for Nicky Lopez. He is a great guy and desperately wants to lead this team. Unfortunately, he is just not good enough. The best additions by subtraction now are: not playing Nicky, getting rid of Hunter "I ain't ever going to take any vaccine" Dozier, and not playing MAT. Bring on Lofton, Waters and Gentry.
(1) Cal Eldred is not going anywhere, based on the improvement we've seen from Singer, Bubic, et al. Whether he deserves credit or not, he'll get it from those who count.
(2) Without having done any research, I wonder if this Royals team has more power than any other in franchise history? Salvy is obviously the all-time top Royals slugger (so far) based on his record-tying season last year and his longevity, and MJ, BWJr., Vinnie and Pratto are all (already) legitimate power threats. As much fun as the "keep the line moving" era was to watch, I'd much rather be a pitcher facing that lineup than the one KC will have in the years to come with at least 5 guys who can turn a mistake into a home run.
These last few weeks and especially this last week has been so much fun as a Royals fan! I'm hoping we will continue to see the improvements with the young hitters as well as the 3 young starters plus hopefully more we've seen last couple of months. Like you said earlier this week I hope Sherman signs off on some spending in off season to maybe another bat, would love Turner, but not likely, not a fan of Correa. Would get behind Swanson, but guessing would have to blow by whatever offer he gets from Braves. Bassit would definitely be a nice signing and would help stabilize rotation.
I know it's not the same as when Zack basically forced himself out in 2010, but do you think we will look back at the comments by Whit and see where they played a part in the turnaround? If he didn't make the comments does he still get traded? It's allowed the younger guys to play and moved an aging player that they insisted on playing everyday. Just something I've been wondering. Great job as always David!
Do you think it'll be long before we start seeing national baseball media start to reflect what the Royals fan base is seeing in this team? Not trying to overreact to a couple of good performances, but the experience of watching this team hits pretty different than the record and in power rankings the Royals are routinely 3rd and 4th to last. Feels like it's based purely on record.
Bubic is looking more and more like an "18 batters and you're done no matter what" guy. Not that there's anything wrong with that as long as he's effective.
(Okay, he can stay in if he has a really low pitch count and a No-No or a Perfecto going. But only until somebody ruins it. Or until he reaches 100 pitches.)
Facing a batter 3 times in one game is a genuine roll of the dice with him. And he should never, ever, EVER face a batter 4 times in one game. As Matheny should have known Wednesday night, with the predictable result being an RBI single. I was just grateful it wasn't worse than that.
On a more positive note it was really encouraging to see Staumont pitch effectively two nights in a row. I wasn't sure we'd see that again this year after his neck injury (if that's what it really was.) His velocity was down 4-5MPH Wednesday night, compared to Tuesday, but his command appeared excellent to me. Love to see those 1-2-3 innings from him!
These are the days we have yearned for . It's not the promise land yet, but for the first time in many years, it feels like we are on the right track leading there. They need to avoid bringing in any old, washed up blockers in the off season. Fun baseball with the kids. Go Royals.
Many of the statements you make, especially regarding Bubic, I agree with. But...many of the improvements you suggest should have been discovered in the minors, not in the majors.
They are a whole lot more fun. Certainly more enjoyable to pay attention too and probably for you to write about.
Probably time for you to remind me that they are actually going to make changes to the pitching this offseason. You may have to do that…oh IDK…a couple time a month here. I’m still of the belief Bubic is pitching more to his capabilities not over his skies. I felt like we had determined last year that he was a back end of the rotation guy with his strong finish. Whoever it is….gets credit for Singer…Lynch you could say is passable the progress. They shouldn’t get credit for getting Bubic back to being the guy he is. With a strong finish I can see him finishing with the numbers right around the last two years. 4.30-4.50 era, high 1.30’s whip…still too many walks. I just don’t want them to celebrate the progress Bubic is making as a win…..Singer win…Lynch…still in progress. Bubic no. But that’s just me wanting to MAKE SURE changes are made. Lol.
Offense wise, damn, they will be just fine with some more seasoning.
Well the baby Royals are fun enough to make me start watching again, even if Cal is still on staff. Singer's start was magical and Barlow's bailout was epic IMO. Even in the loss in the DH blowing Heasley's start there was a feeling of hope and possibility that wasn't there the first half of the season with the 'old guy lineup'. And last night was a pure blast; great start by Bubic and the boys (both young and old "Thanks Salvy") paid that hope off!
IMO there is something to be said for swagger; especially that which doesn't necessarily disrespect your opponent. MJ was talking to his dugout, Hosmer (like him or not lol) was wearing his backpack and Ibanez was talking to his teammates. Swag to me, is positive energy, and yes, positive begets positive, and yes, the Royals are fun to watch again - and it didn't take 30 years. Royals fans rejoice!
David, nice analysis on Bubic. Enjoyed watching him work last night. He and Singer have a little bit of bulldoggishness I like seeing. (Oh and Staumont and Coleman -- lights out!)
You are so right on the difference in the team. Not long ago I would have turned it off after the Sox went up, knowing the only team scoring after that point would be Chicago again. I appreciate the swagger and enthusiasm from these guys, and frankly just a different approach. Love the plate discipline and willingness to walk and let the next guy be the hero. No quit.
You could be right about the MJ homer being the turning point, but I'm sticking with Pratto's walk-off Saturday. That was high drama, and they came out Sunday and crushed the Bosox, and seemingly have just kept going.
I like you mentioned Hosmer, because I was watching the Sunday beatdown and wondering what Hoz was thinking about what he was seeing. Maybe some similarities to 2014...?
I feel really bad for Nicky Lopez. He is a great guy and desperately wants to lead this team. Unfortunately, he is just not good enough. The best additions by subtraction now are: not playing Nicky, getting rid of Hunter "I ain't ever going to take any vaccine" Dozier, and not playing MAT. Bring on Lofton, Waters and Gentry.
Couple of thoughts:
(1) Cal Eldred is not going anywhere, based on the improvement we've seen from Singer, Bubic, et al. Whether he deserves credit or not, he'll get it from those who count.
(2) Without having done any research, I wonder if this Royals team has more power than any other in franchise history? Salvy is obviously the all-time top Royals slugger (so far) based on his record-tying season last year and his longevity, and MJ, BWJr., Vinnie and Pratto are all (already) legitimate power threats. As much fun as the "keep the line moving" era was to watch, I'd much rather be a pitcher facing that lineup than the one KC will have in the years to come with at least 5 guys who can turn a mistake into a home run.
These last few weeks and especially this last week has been so much fun as a Royals fan! I'm hoping we will continue to see the improvements with the young hitters as well as the 3 young starters plus hopefully more we've seen last couple of months. Like you said earlier this week I hope Sherman signs off on some spending in off season to maybe another bat, would love Turner, but not likely, not a fan of Correa. Would get behind Swanson, but guessing would have to blow by whatever offer he gets from Braves. Bassit would definitely be a nice signing and would help stabilize rotation.
I know it's not the same as when Zack basically forced himself out in 2010, but do you think we will look back at the comments by Whit and see where they played a part in the turnaround? If he didn't make the comments does he still get traded? It's allowed the younger guys to play and moved an aging player that they insisted on playing everyday. Just something I've been wondering. Great job as always David!
Do you think it'll be long before we start seeing national baseball media start to reflect what the Royals fan base is seeing in this team? Not trying to overreact to a couple of good performances, but the experience of watching this team hits pretty different than the record and in power rankings the Royals are routinely 3rd and 4th to last. Feels like it's based purely on record.
Bubic is looking more and more like an "18 batters and you're done no matter what" guy. Not that there's anything wrong with that as long as he's effective.
(Okay, he can stay in if he has a really low pitch count and a No-No or a Perfecto going. But only until somebody ruins it. Or until he reaches 100 pitches.)
Facing a batter 3 times in one game is a genuine roll of the dice with him. And he should never, ever, EVER face a batter 4 times in one game. As Matheny should have known Wednesday night, with the predictable result being an RBI single. I was just grateful it wasn't worse than that.
On a more positive note it was really encouraging to see Staumont pitch effectively two nights in a row. I wasn't sure we'd see that again this year after his neck injury (if that's what it really was.) His velocity was down 4-5MPH Wednesday night, compared to Tuesday, but his command appeared excellent to me. Love to see those 1-2-3 innings from him!
These are the days we have yearned for . It's not the promise land yet, but for the first time in many years, it feels like we are on the right track leading there. They need to avoid bringing in any old, washed up blockers in the off season. Fun baseball with the kids. Go Royals.