I think at this point, Singer is out of my big 3 and Wacha is in.
That said, I was talking yesterday about the potential playoff rotation implications and I think the Royals might be in a terrific position. After Lugo, Wacha, and Ragans I think you can mix and match Singer and Lorenzen based on opponent because Singer has struggled against lefties but Lorenzen and his changeup has reverse-splits.
I do want the Royals to try and rearrange the rotation to split Lugo and Singer up. I don't think they're similar pitchers and Lugo doesn't have the splits that Singer does, but they have struggled in similar to ways to the same teams since early July and I just think having them go back-to-back as they have is asking to drop two in a row every time they face a team that is difficult for Singer.
I would generally agree that Wacha is ahead of Singer at this point, but I do think it could be a matchup thing. The only thing I keep thinking about is potential playoff opponents and who Singer doesn't have a matchup issue with. The Yankees only really have Soto as a lefty masher unless Rizzo comes back hot, so maybe them. The Orioles have Rutschman, Santander, Cowser, Holliday now and, yes, O'Hearn. The Guardians have Ramirez, Kwan and Naylor. The Twins have some mercurial lefties, so it depends on the day, but Wallner, Santana, Kepler and Larnach can get him. The Astros only really have Alvarez and Tucker, but those are two big bats. It's interesting.
I'm not sure about splitting up Lugo and Singer because I really don't think they're similar enough for it to matter. If you're doing it because of struggles in general, they're probably in trouble anyway.
Couple things, but first thing is first…it was still a good weekend for them. Lose two out of three and still picked up a game on Boston didn’t they? At least I thought Boston got swept, but I could be wrong. I kinda think the calendar is in their favor starting last week.
I know you think Singer is small sample size on the good vs bad argument this year. But it’s getting harder to not see it as a trend this year anyway. Nobody expects you to be better against the good clubs. But he’s been pretty bad lately against them. Doesn’t really mean anything though. He’s still going to pitch every 5th day if can. Gotta use him.
Just use Sisk. I know they may not believe in him, but the stuff has to be better than Smith’s at this point. He’s earned a shot. So much better than just giving a shot. But just go with Sisk if you are needing a lefty. Don’t mess with Lynch. (I’m done with that stance now. Lol)
That’s interesting on the Sisk vs Smith data. Thanks. I guess maybe the only argument I can have then with the organization is if you don’t think Sisk repertoire will work…why are we still holding on to Smith. A little contradictory. But I’m sure it’s the mlb experience etc, etc, but it hasn’t worked.
I don’t think it’s contradictory. One guy is guaranteed $5 million and had a three month stretch with a sub-2 ERA. The other guy had a similar ERA in AAA last year that Smith does this year. I’d make the switch but I don’t think it’s contradictory.
Ehhh, he’s up over 6 now. It’s August 26th. Come on, what are we doing here? But that’s just my take on it. And yes, he had been pitching better. If it was a couple weeks ago sure. But if at this point in time, they keep Smith the rest of the year and never call up Sask. Yeah, that’s a bit contradictory. But regardless, I think they will on from Smith too. If they don’t call up Sisk so be it….you can probably get away with just Bubic and Long and bring up the better stuff in Cruz or Bowlan. Basically, what I’m saying is. Any move you make is fine….except not moving on from Smith. That’s the only way it’s contradictory. Lol.
You are correct, sir, a brutal and ugly Saturday and Sunday. We were at the game Sunday. Not so bad until Lugo and Bubic combined for a bad inning. Zerpa may not have allowed runs, but he was terrible. Then Smith. Two guys behind us kept yelling take him out even though no one was warming up and then they began chanting/yelling DFA to Smith. I said just wait for the 9th and maybe we will get Startton... Hopefully the offense comes alive and the pitchers settle down for the start of today's series. Thank you for your good work, David.
The Guardians offense isn't even close to the Phillies offense, even with the Phillies offense struggling. That's not to say Royals pitching won't falter, but it's a less difficult task.
I don’t think they’re putting too much pressure on themselves or anything like that. I think they had a couple of bad games. They’ve spent the entire season bouncing back whenever games or stretches like this happen.
I think I’d be pretty bummed at this point right now if the Royals didn’t make the playoffs. You don’t have to win anymore for it to be a good weekend. Boston isn’t winning…..that alone is a Royals win. It’s pretty defined to me anymore. Maybe someone makes a run but it’s some combination of Yankees, Baltimore, Guardians, Twins, Royals, Astros. Boston is going the wrong direction here. Doesn’t mean can’t get hot, but man, they are running out of time. I’d be BUMMED at this point now. Even with the tough schedule.
Think about it this way. If they finish 15-17, which is decidedly not good, Boston needs to finish 20-13 to pass the Royals. They *should* make it with this lead.
You guys beat me to it. Just playing .500 or so (and yes, the Royals are currently in a rugged stretch, but the rest of the season after it has great opportunities to pick up wins) ought to do it unless Boston just catches fire. And while a division title would be swell, to me any playoff appearance this season is gravy. Just get in and see what happens.
I always smirk when you give us you MJ updates. He had a good first game at Cleveland today. My question to you, is: What if he starts off next year the way he has his past two seasons? is he destined to be a platoon player?
I don't know how they can go into next year counting on him. When you hit .273/.352/.485 in the second half of your first full big league season, it's fair to think the guy figured it out. But when the same pattern emerges the next year, you probably can't go into a season you're expecting to contend with him as a main bat. He's the strong side of a platoon if he's a platoon, so it's not the worst thing in the world, but I think he's going to have to earn more time next season.
I think at this point, Singer is out of my big 3 and Wacha is in.
That said, I was talking yesterday about the potential playoff rotation implications and I think the Royals might be in a terrific position. After Lugo, Wacha, and Ragans I think you can mix and match Singer and Lorenzen based on opponent because Singer has struggled against lefties but Lorenzen and his changeup has reverse-splits.
I do want the Royals to try and rearrange the rotation to split Lugo and Singer up. I don't think they're similar pitchers and Lugo doesn't have the splits that Singer does, but they have struggled in similar to ways to the same teams since early July and I just think having them go back-to-back as they have is asking to drop two in a row every time they face a team that is difficult for Singer.
I would generally agree that Wacha is ahead of Singer at this point, but I do think it could be a matchup thing. The only thing I keep thinking about is potential playoff opponents and who Singer doesn't have a matchup issue with. The Yankees only really have Soto as a lefty masher unless Rizzo comes back hot, so maybe them. The Orioles have Rutschman, Santander, Cowser, Holliday now and, yes, O'Hearn. The Guardians have Ramirez, Kwan and Naylor. The Twins have some mercurial lefties, so it depends on the day, but Wallner, Santana, Kepler and Larnach can get him. The Astros only really have Alvarez and Tucker, but those are two big bats. It's interesting.
I'm not sure about splitting up Lugo and Singer because I really don't think they're similar enough for it to matter. If you're doing it because of struggles in general, they're probably in trouble anyway.
Couple things, but first thing is first…it was still a good weekend for them. Lose two out of three and still picked up a game on Boston didn’t they? At least I thought Boston got swept, but I could be wrong. I kinda think the calendar is in their favor starting last week.
I know you think Singer is small sample size on the good vs bad argument this year. But it’s getting harder to not see it as a trend this year anyway. Nobody expects you to be better against the good clubs. But he’s been pretty bad lately against them. Doesn’t really mean anything though. He’s still going to pitch every 5th day if can. Gotta use him.
Just use Sisk. I know they may not believe in him, but the stuff has to be better than Smith’s at this point. He’s earned a shot. So much better than just giving a shot. But just go with Sisk if you are needing a lefty. Don’t mess with Lynch. (I’m done with that stance now. Lol)
Ah you commented on Singer below. Can disregard. Already been over it. Lol
I don't think Singer is a small sample. I know it is. It doesn't mean that I wouldn't go with Wacha ahead of him.
Sisk is fine, and there's more to it than this, but here are some repertoire comparisons:
Sisk 4SFB: 91.2 MPH, 2066 rpm
Sisk Sinker: 91.5 MPH, 2078 rpm
Smith FB: 91.2 MPH, 2216 rpm
Sisk Slider: 82.6 MPH, 2251 rpm
Smith Slider: 80.6 MPH, 2402 rpm
Sisk Curve: 79.6 MPH, 2322 rpm
Smith Curve: 76.3 MPH, 2159 rpm
I'm not saying they're the same pitcher. They're 100% not. And Sisk would likely be better, but the very basic stuff isn't *that* different.
That’s interesting on the Sisk vs Smith data. Thanks. I guess maybe the only argument I can have then with the organization is if you don’t think Sisk repertoire will work…why are we still holding on to Smith. A little contradictory. But I’m sure it’s the mlb experience etc, etc, but it hasn’t worked.
I don’t think it’s contradictory. One guy is guaranteed $5 million and had a three month stretch with a sub-2 ERA. The other guy had a similar ERA in AAA last year that Smith does this year. I’d make the switch but I don’t think it’s contradictory.
Ehhh, he’s up over 6 now. It’s August 26th. Come on, what are we doing here? But that’s just my take on it. And yes, he had been pitching better. If it was a couple weeks ago sure. But if at this point in time, they keep Smith the rest of the year and never call up Sask. Yeah, that’s a bit contradictory. But regardless, I think they will on from Smith too. If they don’t call up Sisk so be it….you can probably get away with just Bubic and Long and bring up the better stuff in Cruz or Bowlan. Basically, what I’m saying is. Any move you make is fine….except not moving on from Smith. That’s the only way it’s contradictory. Lol.
You are correct, sir, a brutal and ugly Saturday and Sunday. We were at the game Sunday. Not so bad until Lugo and Bubic combined for a bad inning. Zerpa may not have allowed runs, but he was terrible. Then Smith. Two guys behind us kept yelling take him out even though no one was warming up and then they began chanting/yelling DFA to Smith. I said just wait for the 9th and maybe we will get Startton... Hopefully the offense comes alive and the pitchers settle down for the start of today's series. Thank you for your good work, David.
The Guardians offense isn't even close to the Phillies offense, even with the Phillies offense struggling. That's not to say Royals pitching won't falter, but it's a less difficult task.
That's what I am hoping for. Now if the players will just realize this and not put too much pressure on themselves. Go ROYALS!
I don’t think they’re putting too much pressure on themselves or anything like that. I think they had a couple of bad games. They’ve spent the entire season bouncing back whenever games or stretches like this happen.
Smith hasn't been good - anyone can see that. But someone should've told those 2 guys yelling "DFA" to shut the hell up. That's just being a-holes.
I think I’d be pretty bummed at this point right now if the Royals didn’t make the playoffs. You don’t have to win anymore for it to be a good weekend. Boston isn’t winning…..that alone is a Royals win. It’s pretty defined to me anymore. Maybe someone makes a run but it’s some combination of Yankees, Baltimore, Guardians, Twins, Royals, Astros. Boston is going the wrong direction here. Doesn’t mean can’t get hot, but man, they are running out of time. I’d be BUMMED at this point now. Even with the tough schedule.
Think about it this way. If they finish 15-17, which is decidedly not good, Boston needs to finish 20-13 to pass the Royals. They *should* make it with this lead.
You guys beat me to it. Just playing .500 or so (and yes, the Royals are currently in a rugged stretch, but the rest of the season after it has great opportunities to pick up wins) ought to do it unless Boston just catches fire. And while a division title would be swell, to me any playoff appearance this season is gravy. Just get in and see what happens.
I always smirk when you give us you MJ updates. He had a good first game at Cleveland today. My question to you, is: What if he starts off next year the way he has his past two seasons? is he destined to be a platoon player?
I don't know how they can go into next year counting on him. When you hit .273/.352/.485 in the second half of your first full big league season, it's fair to think the guy figured it out. But when the same pattern emerges the next year, you probably can't go into a season you're expecting to contend with him as a main bat. He's the strong side of a platoon if he's a platoon, so it's not the worst thing in the world, but I think he's going to have to earn more time next season.
Has there ever been a first half/second half platoon?