Well, I said I wasn’t concerned until they lost 6 in a row here. I guess I’m officially concerned. They are still fine, they just need ONE win…with some other things to break their way. Just one. But man, I didn’t see a 7 game losing streak coming. I mean, you don’t lose 7 games in a row without playing some bad ball….but this has been brutal to watch offensively. I always said I’d be curious to see what happens with a little bit of pressure. Do you think that is getting to them? A team, that wasn’t supposed to be here….but is here and really in control of own destiny becoming the hunted. I can’t help but wonder if the pressure is just new and too much for this team.
I don't know...the Royals do have plenty of young players, but they also have plenty of vets with experience in playoff chases (Salvy, Renfroe, Frazier, Hampson, and of course they've added Pham, DeJong, Gurriel, and Grossman) and it seems like those guys are also trying to turn the bat into sawdust when they're at bat. I keep thinking someone will get a hit with RISP and that will open the floodgates, but so far nothing.
Also, the crowds were a letdown. Have to get rid of Ballys and make next season more affordable/ accessible. The team needed the fans, and the fans didn’t come through.
They really need to acquire some impact bats in the off season. Once Vinnie went down, the marginal guys (everyone except Witt and Salvy) melted like butter on a hot sidewalk. I don't see them making the playoffs this year. Detroit's momentum will carry them in and the Twins are, in my opinion, a wee bit better than the Royals. I think Detroit could actually win a playoff series, but not the Royals or Twins.
I actually disagree with your last point: I think the Royals could very well win a playoff series (or 2) based on their quality of starting pitching...but that assumes they get there WITHOUT having to burn their best arms (e.g. Lugo and Ragans). I'm not so worried about Wacha, but Singer doesn't perform under pressure. The real problem is: you can't win games without scoring runs, and that means they have to come out of their hitting funk--and fast.
Please take care of yourself! I am a big fan but I sometimes have to remember that I can't control anything and what will be will be. Having 162 games really weeds out pretenders and maybe this year the team is more of a pretender that needed everything to go perfectly. Vinnie's injury is now obviously impacting them. I wonder if the team has a team psychologist because to pull themselves out of this slump mentally it will take some. I saw Salvy's head go down when he made critical outs. I think there needs to be 2 good hitters obtained through free agency while keeping all the pitchers (except maybe Singer) for next season.
Any chance that with the Nationals pitching LHers in this series that Q will give Blanco a shot. He might be terrible like the rest of the lineup but he is exciting when on base. Let's face it - keeping him for a last inning run scoring PR has been a waste over last 3 weeks. Thinking the Blanco we saw in Cincinnati. I like Nationals potential for 2025 - they have talent there and on the way. Something has to give with KC and Washington.
Remarkable that as awful as KC has been they are still in the WC hunt let alone in the playoffs as of today. I thought their pitching would carry them but the questionable 2024 offense has gotten that much worse. We'll see what goes down. It is interesting to be a Royals fan this year.
For this team right now, every game is a must win. I can't imagine the pressure they have put on themselves because they are so close. I think the Tigers are in, they have 3 games with the Pale Hose who are the worst of the worst. I am praying the Royals have another level of "giddy up" left in them, although they haven't shown it in a while. Go Royals
This series reminded me how the Royals could have accidentally plugged the hole left by.Vinnie before the injury even happened. I was of the mind they should trade for Wade and fit him in at DH or wherever and have him to rest the guys at first if they needed him to. And then - tah-dah - there’s their first baseman when the injury does happen. But things never work out that nicely. And of course Yuli probably turned out to be much less expensive.
Me (in fetal position on my closet floor) - "Lesky says it's never as bad as it seems it is....it's never as bad as it seems it is...its never as bad..."
I think we all need the mental break. C'mon boys, give us one good week!
David, thanks again for the tickets. When you emailed me that I won the drawing for tickets to Friday's game, I never dreamed that we might see the last run scored at home by the Royals this season.
The Royals are not a good team right now but, as you alluded to, the margin between winning and losing that game was TINY. They were hitting the ball hard but at guys, while the Giants were finding holes.
Perhaps the Royals are saving their best performance for the Wild Card Race. Of course they’ll need to turn it on to get there. By the way, your newsletter has continued to give me hope. Thank you!
Thanks a million, dear David, for all your outstanding analysis and reader responses this exciting season!! Your letters have meant so much in so many ways. 💖 And yes: Time for ALL of us to chill (not easy!) and send good vibes to our team.
Well, I said I wasn’t concerned until they lost 6 in a row here. I guess I’m officially concerned. They are still fine, they just need ONE win…with some other things to break their way. Just one. But man, I didn’t see a 7 game losing streak coming. I mean, you don’t lose 7 games in a row without playing some bad ball….but this has been brutal to watch offensively. I always said I’d be curious to see what happens with a little bit of pressure. Do you think that is getting to them? A team, that wasn’t supposed to be here….but is here and really in control of own destiny becoming the hunted. I can’t help but wonder if the pressure is just new and too much for this team.
I don't know...the Royals do have plenty of young players, but they also have plenty of vets with experience in playoff chases (Salvy, Renfroe, Frazier, Hampson, and of course they've added Pham, DeJong, Gurriel, and Grossman) and it seems like those guys are also trying to turn the bat into sawdust when they're at bat. I keep thinking someone will get a hit with RISP and that will open the floodgates, but so far nothing.
Unimaginable collapse. Hampson being close than Salvy to a hero this weekend sums it up. Crushing.
Closer*
Also, the crowds were a letdown. Have to get rid of Ballys and make next season more affordable/ accessible. The team needed the fans, and the fans didn’t come through.
They really need to acquire some impact bats in the off season. Once Vinnie went down, the marginal guys (everyone except Witt and Salvy) melted like butter on a hot sidewalk. I don't see them making the playoffs this year. Detroit's momentum will carry them in and the Twins are, in my opinion, a wee bit better than the Royals. I think Detroit could actually win a playoff series, but not the Royals or Twins.
I actually disagree with your last point: I think the Royals could very well win a playoff series (or 2) based on their quality of starting pitching...but that assumes they get there WITHOUT having to burn their best arms (e.g. Lugo and Ragans). I'm not so worried about Wacha, but Singer doesn't perform under pressure. The real problem is: you can't win games without scoring runs, and that means they have to come out of their hitting funk--and fast.
Please take care of yourself! I am a big fan but I sometimes have to remember that I can't control anything and what will be will be. Having 162 games really weeds out pretenders and maybe this year the team is more of a pretender that needed everything to go perfectly. Vinnie's injury is now obviously impacting them. I wonder if the team has a team psychologist because to pull themselves out of this slump mentally it will take some. I saw Salvy's head go down when he made critical outs. I think there needs to be 2 good hitters obtained through free agency while keeping all the pitchers (except maybe Singer) for next season.
They have had a team "shrink" for a couple years now. You can see her in the dugout/on the bench (she's just about the only female in the dugout).
Thanks, never knew that, interesting.
Bravo for taking care of your mental health and setting an example for others.
I think this is the first time all year I've been glad for an offday. I don't know about the Royals, but I need a break.
Tomorrow seems like a must win game with Ragans starting and I plan to be there. Time to relax and play some ball!
Any chance that with the Nationals pitching LHers in this series that Q will give Blanco a shot. He might be terrible like the rest of the lineup but he is exciting when on base. Let's face it - keeping him for a last inning run scoring PR has been a waste over last 3 weeks. Thinking the Blanco we saw in Cincinnati. I like Nationals potential for 2025 - they have talent there and on the way. Something has to give with KC and Washington.
Remarkable that as awful as KC has been they are still in the WC hunt let alone in the playoffs as of today. I thought their pitching would carry them but the questionable 2024 offense has gotten that much worse. We'll see what goes down. It is interesting to be a Royals fan this year.
For this team right now, every game is a must win. I can't imagine the pressure they have put on themselves because they are so close. I think the Tigers are in, they have 3 games with the Pale Hose who are the worst of the worst. I am praying the Royals have another level of "giddy up" left in them, although they haven't shown it in a while. Go Royals
This series reminded me how the Royals could have accidentally plugged the hole left by.Vinnie before the injury even happened. I was of the mind they should trade for Wade and fit him in at DH or wherever and have him to rest the guys at first if they needed him to. And then - tah-dah - there’s their first baseman when the injury does happen. But things never work out that nicely. And of course Yuli probably turned out to be much less expensive.
Me (in fetal position on my closet floor) - "Lesky says it's never as bad as it seems it is....it's never as bad as it seems it is...its never as bad..."
I think we all need the mental break. C'mon boys, give us one good week!
Dang, David. I thought the Royals were cruising and then the offense went to sleep. We can still do this!
David, thanks again for the tickets. When you emailed me that I won the drawing for tickets to Friday's game, I never dreamed that we might see the last run scored at home by the Royals this season.
The Royals are not a good team right now but, as you alluded to, the margin between winning and losing that game was TINY. They were hitting the ball hard but at guys, while the Giants were finding holes.
Royals : "WE CAN'T STOP THE PEE PEE POO POO"
Twins : "Hold our adult diaper."
Perhaps the Royals are saving their best performance for the Wild Card Race. Of course they’ll need to turn it on to get there. By the way, your newsletter has continued to give me hope. Thank you!
You are right about MJ. We don't want to hear it. :)
Thanks a million, dear David, for all your outstanding analysis and reader responses this exciting season!! Your letters have meant so much in so many ways. 💖 And yes: Time for ALL of us to chill (not easy!) and send good vibes to our team.