I bet you couldn't wait to write this column! That was the most fun weekend of Royals baseball in a long, long time. In all my years, I haven't seen a HR like the one MJ hit that got "pushed" over the fence.
So good news. I can take them seriously as a competent major league club right now. That’s a big win.
I’m overly positive right now. But also feel like I need to pump the breaks on the pitching staff a bit. They are an above average major league rotation. They are going to keep them in games. But THIS is a bit crazy and they are not this good. That’s ok, ride it while you can. But playing the pitiful white Sox was a gift. At least they took advantage. On the bullpen. Smith isn’t it. He can have a role within the bullpen…but it’s not the 8th or the 9th unless it’s a couple of lefty situation. MacArthur….I think he can be…but it’s still something we need to see him do more of. The bullpen is a legit concern right now. That’s ok too.
I’m actually encouraged but he offensive numbers you looked up. I hard on the OBP mainly because I just think it is that important and the Royals are 10 years behind the good teams in that yet. But knowing BWJ and Vinny are part of the problem with runners in scoring position is actually great news. That won’t continue. I’d argue get people on base so that you have MORE opportunities for the numbers to level out quicker. But we aren’t there yet. Lol. Vinnie will get hot…and someone else will go in a slump. It’s how it happens in baseball which is why you want as long a lineup as possible. I think the talent level is there for 1-6. I’m not sold it is really there for the other three spots yet to make it above average. Time will tell….and they can still be in this with average.
Got to go down and watch the Naturals yesterday after watching the Arkansas Razorback baseball game the day before.
First time visiting and was beautiful stadium, they did some rebranding and colors are yellow and navy instead of maroon and navy now. Wind was blowing out and it was a slugfest. Cayden Wallace looked very impressive. Chandler Champlain didn't. LOL
Miami is a disaster. They are gonna shop people. How do we still get Luzardo without giving up Vinnie? There has to be a way now JJ. Miami is gonna throw in the towel a month in you can tell. Lol.
One possible reason for Witt’s struggles with runners on is that ice cold Vinnie is hitting behind him. That may have to change until Vinnie gets going. But when the starters are pitching lights out and MJ, Maikel, and Nelly are joining the offensive party this season, it’s a very good start.
Oddly Fridays game gave me more hope for this team than any of the others so far. You couldn't have asked for a more perfect setup to pull Smith. I think Q did have to put him in there for morale purposes - I am sure Smith got the hard sell "rahrah closer" to get him to sign. But that sequence let Q do the right thing and Smith save face. Singer still slinging well. Blanco coming in and doing what you hope he does. Also, Salvy walked!?! I was feeling a little sorry for Grifol and Nicky, but by last night I was thirsty for a bloodbath sweep.
MacArthur won me over last season, but doubt he is the future closer. I think Smith will get his stuff back together and challenge for that spot again. I really like Klein - watched a couple interviews with him and the big man isn't scared to drop some f bombs. Only 4 games, but still rocking the 0 ERA in Omaha
What was fun for me about Sunday was that I had mentally filed it under "54 games they were always going to lose," and then they didn't. That, to me, is the biggest difference when your team has legit power throughout the lineup: an uninspired, anemic offensive performance can turn into a win really quickly.
I bet you couldn't wait to write this column! That was the most fun weekend of Royals baseball in a long, long time. In all my years, I haven't seen a HR like the one MJ hit that got "pushed" over the fence.
So good news. I can take them seriously as a competent major league club right now. That’s a big win.
I’m overly positive right now. But also feel like I need to pump the breaks on the pitching staff a bit. They are an above average major league rotation. They are going to keep them in games. But THIS is a bit crazy and they are not this good. That’s ok, ride it while you can. But playing the pitiful white Sox was a gift. At least they took advantage. On the bullpen. Smith isn’t it. He can have a role within the bullpen…but it’s not the 8th or the 9th unless it’s a couple of lefty situation. MacArthur….I think he can be…but it’s still something we need to see him do more of. The bullpen is a legit concern right now. That’s ok too.
I’m actually encouraged but he offensive numbers you looked up. I hard on the OBP mainly because I just think it is that important and the Royals are 10 years behind the good teams in that yet. But knowing BWJ and Vinny are part of the problem with runners in scoring position is actually great news. That won’t continue. I’d argue get people on base so that you have MORE opportunities for the numbers to level out quicker. But we aren’t there yet. Lol. Vinnie will get hot…and someone else will go in a slump. It’s how it happens in baseball which is why you want as long a lineup as possible. I think the talent level is there for 1-6. I’m not sold it is really there for the other three spots yet to make it above average. Time will tell….and they can still be in this with average.
Got to go down and watch the Naturals yesterday after watching the Arkansas Razorback baseball game the day before.
First time visiting and was beautiful stadium, they did some rebranding and colors are yellow and navy instead of maroon and navy now. Wind was blowing out and it was a slugfest. Cayden Wallace looked very impressive. Chandler Champlain didn't. LOL
Miami is a disaster. They are gonna shop people. How do we still get Luzardo without giving up Vinnie? There has to be a way now JJ. Miami is gonna throw in the towel a month in you can tell. Lol.
MJ doing everything he can to prove my skepticism wrong. And I think I might believe him.
One possible reason for Witt’s struggles with runners on is that ice cold Vinnie is hitting behind him. That may have to change until Vinnie gets going. But when the starters are pitching lights out and MJ, Maikel, and Nelly are joining the offensive party this season, it’s a very good start.
Oddly Fridays game gave me more hope for this team than any of the others so far. You couldn't have asked for a more perfect setup to pull Smith. I think Q did have to put him in there for morale purposes - I am sure Smith got the hard sell "rahrah closer" to get him to sign. But that sequence let Q do the right thing and Smith save face. Singer still slinging well. Blanco coming in and doing what you hope he does. Also, Salvy walked!?! I was feeling a little sorry for Grifol and Nicky, but by last night I was thirsty for a bloodbath sweep.
MacArthur won me over last season, but doubt he is the future closer. I think Smith will get his stuff back together and challenge for that spot again. I really like Klein - watched a couple interviews with him and the big man isn't scared to drop some f bombs. Only 4 games, but still rocking the 0 ERA in Omaha
WOW! A four-game sweep! Incredible and I don't give a flip who it could have been against. 4 - WOW!
What was fun for me about Sunday was that I had mentally filed it under "54 games they were always going to lose," and then they didn't. That, to me, is the biggest difference when your team has legit power throughout the lineup: an uninspired, anemic offensive performance can turn into a win really quickly.
Why wasn’t MJ’s HR on Saturday a HR? Did it hit the wall first then bounce over the wall off the CF’s glove?