The feel from this team is that they can't get firing on all cylinders at one time, which to me, comes down to management. Be it preparation (which you've noted a few times with regards to the pitching staff), lineup assembly (please tell me you are kidding about ROH in the lineup today) and just generally having a team believing in themselves, motivated, ready to go - this team just doesn't have it. I just don't see much fire in this team.
I think that's probably a product of struggles with regard to the fire. It's not like this team is significantly different than last year and they came back quite a bit throughout the season and showed that fire. When a team can't score, they look and feel sluggish, even when they aren't. The biggest issues right now are getting Salvy and Whit going. Salvy seems like it's just a slump. Whit, well, I don't know. You get them going and this team has a very different feel.
I think this team is about the 72-78 team we thought they were going into the year when all is said and done. They will have a good stretch…and maybe a long good stretch but I don’t see a .500 team with this group. My question is more……at what point are you worried about next year being a non-playoff pushing team? Maybe the question is…if they end up about the same as last year. Do we really see a playoff team next year? I’m worried the “window” is just getting adjusted again.
Yeah I mean that’s what I was getting at last week. Mediocre teams have bad stretches and good stretches. They don’t get there by always being mediocre and winning every other game with a couple three game losing streaks added in. They get there with a 9-16 stretch and a 14-11 stretch. Last year’s team started 16-9 and then lost 11 in a row. The. They went 13-6. Then lost 11 of 12.
I don’t know the answer of when I’m worried about next year. If Pratto and Pasquantino and maybe someone like Massey gets up this year to get their feet wet, I think they can compete next year. There’s more to it than those guys, but we know what the learning curve is. Lynch needs to take the next step. Any of the other 830 pitching prospects need to take the next step. If that happens, they can win. It’s way too early to know if it will or won’t though.
I’m still optimistic about 2023. The Royals made a ton of mistakes from 2006-2013 and *still* won two pennants and a World Series championship. They’re doing so many things better this time. It’s going to turn around fast.
Another thing: I think it’s super easy to fall into the trap of believing that bad things and slumps only happen to *your team.* Boston is 10-19. The Tigers are 8-19. The Nationals are 10-20.
It happens. I’m not trying to make excuses here. But I agree that none of this start should be surprising to anybody.
Oh I know it. And whether he’s a part of the future or not, they’re doing themselves a disservice to not figure it out when they’ve been gifted an opportunity.
And that's all anyone that has performed at AAA can ask for...a chance. I was really happy to see Rivera get to play 3B and Witt Jr at SS. I just hope he gets some consistent playing time to show what he can do.
Lol on the off last Wednesday - for real.
The feel from this team is that they can't get firing on all cylinders at one time, which to me, comes down to management. Be it preparation (which you've noted a few times with regards to the pitching staff), lineup assembly (please tell me you are kidding about ROH in the lineup today) and just generally having a team believing in themselves, motivated, ready to go - this team just doesn't have it. I just don't see much fire in this team.
I think that's probably a product of struggles with regard to the fire. It's not like this team is significantly different than last year and they came back quite a bit throughout the season and showed that fire. When a team can't score, they look and feel sluggish, even when they aren't. The biggest issues right now are getting Salvy and Whit going. Salvy seems like it's just a slump. Whit, well, I don't know. You get them going and this team has a very different feel.
I think this team is about the 72-78 team we thought they were going into the year when all is said and done. They will have a good stretch…and maybe a long good stretch but I don’t see a .500 team with this group. My question is more……at what point are you worried about next year being a non-playoff pushing team? Maybe the question is…if they end up about the same as last year. Do we really see a playoff team next year? I’m worried the “window” is just getting adjusted again.
Yeah I mean that’s what I was getting at last week. Mediocre teams have bad stretches and good stretches. They don’t get there by always being mediocre and winning every other game with a couple three game losing streaks added in. They get there with a 9-16 stretch and a 14-11 stretch. Last year’s team started 16-9 and then lost 11 in a row. The. They went 13-6. Then lost 11 of 12.
I don’t know the answer of when I’m worried about next year. If Pratto and Pasquantino and maybe someone like Massey gets up this year to get their feet wet, I think they can compete next year. There’s more to it than those guys, but we know what the learning curve is. Lynch needs to take the next step. Any of the other 830 pitching prospects need to take the next step. If that happens, they can win. It’s way too early to know if it will or won’t though.
Agreed this is the year the pitching needs to mature. That's why I'm so stoked about having Zach bach.
I’m still optimistic about 2023. The Royals made a ton of mistakes from 2006-2013 and *still* won two pennants and a World Series championship. They’re doing so many things better this time. It’s going to turn around fast.
Another thing: I think it’s super easy to fall into the trap of believing that bad things and slumps only happen to *your team.* Boston is 10-19. The Tigers are 8-19. The Nationals are 10-20.
It happens. I’m not trying to make excuses here. But I agree that none of this start should be surprising to anybody.
You know I love Rivera. Hoping he gets some consistent at bats.
Oh I know it. And whether he’s a part of the future or not, they’re doing themselves a disservice to not figure it out when they’ve been gifted an opportunity.
And that's all anyone that has performed at AAA can ask for...a chance. I was really happy to see Rivera get to play 3B and Witt Jr at SS. I just hope he gets some consistent playing time to show what he can do.
Agreed. I don't see it happening, though, given that it hasn't when there's been plenty of chances.
Whit can't buy a hit, even today!