Guys a 4-2 week is great. Doesn’t really matter how you get there. As you said, they need to win this series. The White Sox are worse than the A’s of last year who were trying to lose. Pad the stats fellas.
Umpires - robo umps behind the plate. It’s such an easy fix. It’s not like it’s a problem we don’t already have a solution for. Come on already.
That said, as we all know. Tied game going into the 7th. Royals are at a disadvantage with this bullpen. It’s the weakness, just are right now.
Salvy injury is a legitimate concern. We know this isn’t a deep team. The offense takes a big hit without him. Fermin is capable….I’m not saying he isn’t…but he’s not Salvy either. If anything good…it’s actually a spot they can handle better than others…but it’s still a hit.
You say they're at a disadvantage in the bullpen, but I think a lot of that is leaning too much on the first week of the season. I mean, I think the Mets have a better bullpen because I think the Mets have a pretty good bullpen, but as they've figured out roles, things have settled down quite a bit. They've got a 2.30 ERA since the Baltimore series. Too many walks, yes, but proper umpiring and Stratton is out of there with one walk and it's a walk I think we'd all support.
I don't think this is a great bullpen, but with guys like Smith no longer in high leverage, it's a capable unit at least.
Well, ok. I’ll clarify and say in this series that was a Mets advantage. They are capable but nobody is scared of the 90-92 Scriber and Stratton are throwing out there. I don’t think it is a coincidence the Royals bullpen struck out zero vs the 5 the Mets had in the same number of innings essentially. And that doesn’t mean they can’t get outs yet or be capable. Just means more opportunities for the ball to bounce against you is all.
I know your general point and it's correct. The bullpen doesn't get to its potential with the veterans they signed. That's absolutely right because they don't get enough swing and miss. But in this particular game, I have such a tough time looking at strkeout and walk numbers. Stratton went from one walk and one strikeout in his inning to four walks and no strikeouts because the umpire suffered from temporary blindness. I think there's room for some context here.
In this game yes. I’m just saying if we take it as a whole. When the Royals play good teams. They are probably at a disadvantage from the bullpen standpoint until the power arms arrive. When they play the bad teams, they should have the advantage. They are ok. But I think we’ve already established that this year. McArthur has the best stuff but can’t pitch every inning. Anderson I thought would be better yet. But it’s early. I’m pretty sure now, they saw Smith’s stuff in spring training and that’s why they made the trade for Scriber. Which is fine, he’s been solid.
I don't think Smith led them to trade for Schreiber. They were talking about another reliever before spring and got him before the first full squad workout, but they knew they weren't there yet. They need at least two of Klein, McMillon, Cruz and Hernandez to figure it out. I also think it's worth mentioning that the lowest strikeout rate among Stratton, Schreiber and Anderson last year was 24%. I'd say there's at least a decent chance that the strikeouts come for them.
Went to a Stormchasers game this weekend and saw them using the challenge system live for the first time, and I have to say I cannot wait to see it in the big leagues. It's quick, unobtrusive, takes maybe 30 seconds at most, and the most egregious incorrect calls of the game are fixed.
Is the umpires union even really that big a deal? Get the robo ump behind the plate. Still have guys in the field if you want. You can still challenge those calls. What’s the hold up?
I don't know what the hold up is. I was convinced at this time last year that we'd have some system in place this season. I don't think it's the umpire union. I think they're just being cautious, but the reality is that even a flawed system is better than the vaunted human element.
Well your point on integrity of the game was a good one with the sports books anymore. That behind the plate umpire has a bit too much power to affect the game at the moment with no consequence.
At least Vinnie is back on track. Garcia hit a slump here at the exact same time Vinnie came on unfortunately. Lineup length seems to be working ok but I do think a Salvy injury could cause some problems with it. If Renfoe could provide something…would be helpful. Frazier has actually been a pleasant surprise to me. Not that he’s any good really yet. But he’s actually taking some walks and getting on for a guy who historically doesn’t. He’s had professional at bats yet while holding it down. Ready to see Massey again though. Just to see if he can take a step.
I'm assuming Massey will be in the lineup tonight. It's just too perfect of timing. He's a Chicago guy and has always hit well there. He's checked the boxes on his rehab and he's ready to go.
If I had to make the case for Loftin……He’s has a great OBP for this team and more walks than strikeouts. In fact, if your last two roster spot guys are guys that walk more than strikeout (Frazier/Loftin albeit will get overexposed with too much time) please keep them on the roster!!!!
It’s simply roster math though. They’re not cutting Hampson this fast. So who else goes? I suppose it could be Blanco but he’s too big of a late game weapon.
Glad you railed on the HP umpire. He deserved it and I felt the same way but I watch the game from a Royals' fan perspective and what I saw in the last couple innings was the Mets' pitchers getting strike calls on similar locations to the Royals getting ball calls. I was going to question your opinion if you did not address in the body of your WIR. I feel validated. The location pictures you shared helped.
I usually don't complain about the umps (mostly because the calls even out for both sides), but this game got me going. You already pointed out that pitches in the same location were called differently depending on the team; the calls in the eight inning were so egregious that it might have been worth a coach getting thrown out for. With Vinnie's HR, you can argue it changed the outcome of the game (history supports my contention the Royals would have won in extra innings)!
I'm just hoping that Salvy is OK, because that whole sequence (catch/throw/catch/tag) was one of the best I've seen in a long time.
Over the course of a season, I think a team generally has about as many calls go against them as they do for them. But all the calls aren't created equal. The Royals had five pitches go against them from the sixth inning on (it might have been more, but they were consequential). If they get five calls in their favor in a 12-2 game, does that even it out? I don't personally think so. So yeah, I think it's reasonable to look at what happened and be upset.
Agreed on that throw. I should have included it in here, but sometimes when it gets super gif heavy, it's harder to load and I wanted to keep it as light as possible, but that was gorgeous from start to finish. And yeah, we'll see on Salvy later today I think.
Great point about bad calls mixed in with the now encouraged gambling (so much money there in general, I am concerned for the integrity of all sports). Years ago MLB/Torre said managers would be disciplined/fined for arguing strikes and balls. Instead of supporting the umps, this further detracts from the credibility of the calls and the game. Fools errand I guess, but I wish Q would have taken the hit and kicked some dirt.
So much fun to watch this year. So glad when I read the pitching matchups you posted that I am not already chalking up one or two losses before series even begins.
Haha, the funny thing about managers arguing with the umpires…..is that nobody really wants to see it anyway. I don’t care. The call never gets changed anyway. Unless you are going to do something funny like steal a base or something. It adds nothing to the entertainment to the game. And there is a system to literally make arguing disappear. Just use it already. Sigh.
I actually enjoy when the cool and steady skip occasionally gets red in the face, maybe its a projection of my fandom frustrations. I also am amused when the manager of a team I love to hate gives me more reason to make fun of them. But y, such an easy fix
I'm probably never going to be in the agreement of managers needing to get out there and argue. I know a lot of people think it makes a difference and I think it probably does if the manager's status is a little shaky within the clubhouse, but all I've heard about Q is that the players absolutely love playing for him. They don't need reassurance.
I don't think it makes a difference in the game, but it might make a little difference in the "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" MLB category.
Great to hear the players are behind Q. Hopefully slow and steady wins this race
I get credit for the Vinnie turnaround because I dropped him from my fantasy team ( roster crunch ) literally seconds before he 'Squatched out. YER WELCOME
I appreciate the visual to confirm what we all saw in the 8th. It was nice for Ryan to talk about it on the broadcast tonight. Even better was how Stratton responded tonight.
Tennis gets it right with the technology and the the appeal. Baseball should do the same. You are spot-on when talking about a multi-billion dollar industry not getting it right. The parabolic growth of gambling in this country doesn’t make it less suspicious when the umpires get the call wrong.
Loving this team. There is clear cohesiveness and extreme desire to win every single game. I'm also a big fan of Q and his staff. Would love your thoughts on how he's handled a competitive team to this point and any thoughts you have on Anne's article about the R&D additions (which sounds like were brought on by the coachings staffs constant request for more data and ideas). Thanks, great stuff as always!
I think it's been an interesting spot for him to start the season because he's had to navigate through some unknowns like Sauer and Lyles in the bullpen while actually having a goal of winning games. That wasn't the goal last season, so his decisions couldn't be graded on that. This year, he's done things he never would have done last year. That game against the White Sox when he pulled Smith would have potentially been a loss because the goal would have been to get Smith right and get him traded. This year, it was to win a game, so he pulled him. I also don't know that he'd have flipped Nelly and Renfroe so quickly last year in the lineup. There haven't been a ton of huge decisions yet, but I like that he's clearly shifted the focus.
Guys a 4-2 week is great. Doesn’t really matter how you get there. As you said, they need to win this series. The White Sox are worse than the A’s of last year who were trying to lose. Pad the stats fellas.
Umpires - robo umps behind the plate. It’s such an easy fix. It’s not like it’s a problem we don’t already have a solution for. Come on already.
That said, as we all know. Tied game going into the 7th. Royals are at a disadvantage with this bullpen. It’s the weakness, just are right now.
Salvy injury is a legitimate concern. We know this isn’t a deep team. The offense takes a big hit without him. Fermin is capable….I’m not saying he isn’t…but he’s not Salvy either. If anything good…it’s actually a spot they can handle better than others…but it’s still a hit.
You say they're at a disadvantage in the bullpen, but I think a lot of that is leaning too much on the first week of the season. I mean, I think the Mets have a better bullpen because I think the Mets have a pretty good bullpen, but as they've figured out roles, things have settled down quite a bit. They've got a 2.30 ERA since the Baltimore series. Too many walks, yes, but proper umpiring and Stratton is out of there with one walk and it's a walk I think we'd all support.
I don't think this is a great bullpen, but with guys like Smith no longer in high leverage, it's a capable unit at least.
Well, ok. I’ll clarify and say in this series that was a Mets advantage. They are capable but nobody is scared of the 90-92 Scriber and Stratton are throwing out there. I don’t think it is a coincidence the Royals bullpen struck out zero vs the 5 the Mets had in the same number of innings essentially. And that doesn’t mean they can’t get outs yet or be capable. Just means more opportunities for the ball to bounce against you is all.
I know your general point and it's correct. The bullpen doesn't get to its potential with the veterans they signed. That's absolutely right because they don't get enough swing and miss. But in this particular game, I have such a tough time looking at strkeout and walk numbers. Stratton went from one walk and one strikeout in his inning to four walks and no strikeouts because the umpire suffered from temporary blindness. I think there's room for some context here.
In this game yes. I’m just saying if we take it as a whole. When the Royals play good teams. They are probably at a disadvantage from the bullpen standpoint until the power arms arrive. When they play the bad teams, they should have the advantage. They are ok. But I think we’ve already established that this year. McArthur has the best stuff but can’t pitch every inning. Anderson I thought would be better yet. But it’s early. I’m pretty sure now, they saw Smith’s stuff in spring training and that’s why they made the trade for Scriber. Which is fine, he’s been solid.
I will take the Royals bullpen over the White Sox every day of the week!
I don't think Smith led them to trade for Schreiber. They were talking about another reliever before spring and got him before the first full squad workout, but they knew they weren't there yet. They need at least two of Klein, McMillon, Cruz and Hernandez to figure it out. I also think it's worth mentioning that the lowest strikeout rate among Stratton, Schreiber and Anderson last year was 24%. I'd say there's at least a decent chance that the strikeouts come for them.
Went to a Stormchasers game this weekend and saw them using the challenge system live for the first time, and I have to say I cannot wait to see it in the big leagues. It's quick, unobtrusive, takes maybe 30 seconds at most, and the most egregious incorrect calls of the game are fixed.
Agreed. It's a great system. I haven't seen it live, but I've seen it on television and it doesn't even really break the flow of the game.
Is the umpires union even really that big a deal? Get the robo ump behind the plate. Still have guys in the field if you want. You can still challenge those calls. What’s the hold up?
I don't know what the hold up is. I was convinced at this time last year that we'd have some system in place this season. I don't think it's the umpire union. I think they're just being cautious, but the reality is that even a flawed system is better than the vaunted human element.
Well your point on integrity of the game was a good one with the sports books anymore. That behind the plate umpire has a bit too much power to affect the game at the moment with no consequence.
Maybe since they've had so much change recently ( pitch clock, Manfred Man, etc. ) they don't wanna do any else that quick? ( shrugs )
At least Vinnie is back on track. Garcia hit a slump here at the exact same time Vinnie came on unfortunately. Lineup length seems to be working ok but I do think a Salvy injury could cause some problems with it. If Renfoe could provide something…would be helpful. Frazier has actually been a pleasant surprise to me. Not that he’s any good really yet. But he’s actually taking some walks and getting on for a guy who historically doesn’t. He’s had professional at bats yet while holding it down. Ready to see Massey again though. Just to see if he can take a step.
I'm assuming Massey will be in the lineup tonight. It's just too perfect of timing. He's a Chicago guy and has always hit well there. He's checked the boxes on his rehab and he's ready to go.
Is Loftin the odd man out here? I assume he goes to Omaha where he can play every day.
I'd guess that's the case. But the Royals sometimes surprise me with their roster moves.
If I had to make the case for Loftin……He’s has a great OBP for this team and more walks than strikeouts. In fact, if your last two roster spot guys are guys that walk more than strikeout (Frazier/Loftin albeit will get overexposed with too much time) please keep them on the roster!!!!
It’s simply roster math though. They’re not cutting Hampson this fast. So who else goes? I suppose it could be Blanco but he’s too big of a late game weapon.
I agree that Blanco is a late inning weapon to steal a base or score on a bloop hit.
Glad you railed on the HP umpire. He deserved it and I felt the same way but I watch the game from a Royals' fan perspective and what I saw in the last couple innings was the Mets' pitchers getting strike calls on similar locations to the Royals getting ball calls. I was going to question your opinion if you did not address in the body of your WIR. I feel validated. The location pictures you shared helped.
It was absolutely brutal. I don't think there was a vendetta or anything, but the guy has a job and he did it poorly and it impacted the end result.
I usually don't complain about the umps (mostly because the calls even out for both sides), but this game got me going. You already pointed out that pitches in the same location were called differently depending on the team; the calls in the eight inning were so egregious that it might have been worth a coach getting thrown out for. With Vinnie's HR, you can argue it changed the outcome of the game (history supports my contention the Royals would have won in extra innings)!
I'm just hoping that Salvy is OK, because that whole sequence (catch/throw/catch/tag) was one of the best I've seen in a long time.
Over the course of a season, I think a team generally has about as many calls go against them as they do for them. But all the calls aren't created equal. The Royals had five pitches go against them from the sixth inning on (it might have been more, but they were consequential). If they get five calls in their favor in a 12-2 game, does that even it out? I don't personally think so. So yeah, I think it's reasonable to look at what happened and be upset.
Agreed on that throw. I should have included it in here, but sometimes when it gets super gif heavy, it's harder to load and I wanted to keep it as light as possible, but that was gorgeous from start to finish. And yeah, we'll see on Salvy later today I think.
It’s almost like ump wanted to finish up/did not want extra innings.
Hey, last night in New York. The guy just wanted to experience the city.
My thought exactly!
Or had a prop bet….
Great point about bad calls mixed in with the now encouraged gambling (so much money there in general, I am concerned for the integrity of all sports). Years ago MLB/Torre said managers would be disciplined/fined for arguing strikes and balls. Instead of supporting the umps, this further detracts from the credibility of the calls and the game. Fools errand I guess, but I wish Q would have taken the hit and kicked some dirt.
So much fun to watch this year. So glad when I read the pitching matchups you posted that I am not already chalking up one or two losses before series even begins.
Haha, the funny thing about managers arguing with the umpires…..is that nobody really wants to see it anyway. I don’t care. The call never gets changed anyway. Unless you are going to do something funny like steal a base or something. It adds nothing to the entertainment to the game. And there is a system to literally make arguing disappear. Just use it already. Sigh.
I actually enjoy when the cool and steady skip occasionally gets red in the face, maybe its a projection of my fandom frustrations. I also am amused when the manager of a team I love to hate gives me more reason to make fun of them. But y, such an easy fix
I'm probably never going to be in the agreement of managers needing to get out there and argue. I know a lot of people think it makes a difference and I think it probably does if the manager's status is a little shaky within the clubhouse, but all I've heard about Q is that the players absolutely love playing for him. They don't need reassurance.
I don't think it makes a difference in the game, but it might make a little difference in the "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" MLB category.
Great to hear the players are behind Q. Hopefully slow and steady wins this race
I get credit for the Vinnie turnaround because I dropped him from my fantasy team ( roster crunch ) literally seconds before he 'Squatched out. YER WELCOME
I appreciate the visual to confirm what we all saw in the 8th. It was nice for Ryan to talk about it on the broadcast tonight. Even better was how Stratton responded tonight.
Tennis gets it right with the technology and the the appeal. Baseball should do the same. You are spot-on when talking about a multi-billion dollar industry not getting it right. The parabolic growth of gambling in this country doesn’t make it less suspicious when the umpires get the call wrong.
Loving this team. There is clear cohesiveness and extreme desire to win every single game. I'm also a big fan of Q and his staff. Would love your thoughts on how he's handled a competitive team to this point and any thoughts you have on Anne's article about the R&D additions (which sounds like were brought on by the coachings staffs constant request for more data and ideas). Thanks, great stuff as always!
I think it's been an interesting spot for him to start the season because he's had to navigate through some unknowns like Sauer and Lyles in the bullpen while actually having a goal of winning games. That wasn't the goal last season, so his decisions couldn't be graded on that. This year, he's done things he never would have done last year. That game against the White Sox when he pulled Smith would have potentially been a loss because the goal would have been to get Smith right and get him traded. This year, it was to win a game, so he pulled him. I also don't know that he'd have flipped Nelly and Renfroe so quickly last year in the lineup. There haven't been a ton of huge decisions yet, but I like that he's clearly shifted the focus.
Felipe Paulino was the original Cole Ragans to a younger version of me