Year Two of the Matt Quatraro tenure. Time to take a step up this year. Active in free agency and trades this offseason. A new look pitching rotation and bullpen. Will the young players take the leap up offensively? Bobby Witt extension? New stadium? Will Vinny recover from injury? Salvy taking aim at the Royals record book? Will Cole Ragans turn into the best Royals starting pitcher since Greinke 1.0?
Free Agents/Trades Acquisitions
Seth Lugo, SP
Michael Wacha, SP
Kyle Wright, SP
Hunter Renfroe, OF/DH
Will Smith, RP
Chris Stratton, RP
Nick Anderson, RP
Adam Frazier, 2B
Garrett Hampson, INF/OF
Matt Sauer, RP [Reply]
Originally Posted by GabyKeepsMeWarm:
Just thought I'd add we're 9-10 with one game remaining of Gauntlet Part Two. Considering we lost Lorenzen and Vinnie, and lost 7 in a row, I'd say that's a pretty successful few weeks, win or lose tomorrow.
My best case had us at 8-12 over GP2. 9-11 would be awesome. 10-10 chef’s kiss! [Reply]
Originally Posted by cmh6476:
scratch that, we're 7-3 vs the Tigers with only 3 games left against them so you can remove that +1 as we hold the tiebreaker. Our magic number is 11 :-)
Really all comes down to our series head to head with them in KC next week. The only time they are guaranteed to gain ground on us, since they can't control it otherwise.
They sweep us 3-0 and their might be a little bit of sweating down the stretch if they stay hot.
They take 2 of 3 from us and they can only make up one game overall that series. We're still in pretty good shape.
We take 2 of 3 and Detroit becomes a distant memory.
We sweep? Who gives a shit about Detroit at that point, start printing the playoff tickets! [Reply]
Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin:
Really all comes down to our series head to head with them in KC next week. The only time they are guaranteed to gain ground on us, since they can't control it otherwise.
They sweep us 3-0 and their might be a little bit of sweating down the stretch if they stay hot.
They take 2 of 3 from us and they can only make up one game overall that series. We're still in pretty good shape.
We take 2 of 3 and Detroit becomes a distant memory.
We sweep? Who gives a shit about Detroit at that point, start printing the playoff tickets!
In Lugo's start last week, the broadcast highlighted his far worse stats in starts on extra rest. Sounds like the Royals intend to slot Lorenzen into Lugo's normal day, however. Makes sense, to position Lugo/Ragans/Wacha for the Tigers series.
If I were you GabyKeepsMeWarm, I'd be slightly disappointed that Paul Skenes won't be on the mound for your Pittsburgh visit. Obviously though, that is fantastic news for the Royals. [Reply]
Yeah, after the Twins sweep, our playoff chances were all but secured. There’s just simply not enough time/games for Seattle, Boston or Detroit to realistically make up enough ground to catch us. The Twins however…. I’d keep an eye on them…
Our win against the Yankees made the playoffs a virtual lock. If Cleveland’s remaining schedule wasn’t softer than baby poop, I’d say we have a real shot at catching them for the division. I think of Cleveland’s remaining 16 games, 13 are at home. That’s just ridiculous of the schedule makers to do that. Not to mention we have four interleague series remaining.
But…. Keep an eye on Baltimore. They’ve got two series with red hot Detroit. We could get some help towards the top wild card.
Lot of interesting scenarios remain on how this will all shake out. On top of that, it’s gonna be very difficult having our rotation set up ideally to continue winning as many games as possible, while having an eye on who is gonna pitch in the playoffs.
But it’s fun isn’t it?!? Would be very cool to see us clinch a playoff spot next week during the final homestand, then have the last six games to have a better idea on how to set up our playoff rotation.
And yeah, GeorgeZimZam, I’m a little disappointed that it looks like I won’t get to see Paul Skenes this weekend, but not much! Just hoping we can take at least two out of three in PA! [Reply]
In other news…. How great was Seth Lugo last night? He’s got at least two, likely three more starts remaining. If things go well, he could restrengthen his Cy Young case. Lot of noise about Clase being deserving, and of course Skubel. If Lugo wins out and keeps his ERA under 3, he’s gonna make it very hard on the voters. He’s had a helluva year. [Reply]
Originally Posted by GabyKeepsMeWarm:
In other news…. How great was Seth Lugo last night? He’s got at least two, likely three more starts remaining. If things go well, he could restrengthen his Cy Young case. Lot of noise about Clase being deserving, and of course Skubel. If Lugo wins out and keeps his ERA under 3, he’s gonna make it very hard on the voters. He’s had a helluva year.
Absolutely. It's a shame Skubal is having such a fine season this season. And that Detroit is also relevant. I'm afraid Lugo is 1c in that finalist trio you mentioned. Logan Gilbert is also in the mix, but on the backend.
I'd vote for Lugo, but that would be swayed by my Royals bias. Gun to my head, I'd acknowledge Skubal as the winner if the season ended this moment. [Reply]
Originally Posted by GeorgeZimZam:
Absolutely. It's a shame Skubal is having such a fine season this season. And that Detroit is also relevant. I'm afraid Lugo is 1c in that finalist trio you mentioned. Logan Gilbert is also in the mix, but on the backend.
I'd vote for Lugo, but that would be swayed by my Royals bias. Gun to my head, I'd acknowledge Skubal as the winner if the season ended this moment.
Same can be said about Bobby and Judge. Of all the years for Bobby to go supernova, Judge just had to be on his own historic run. In the same vein, if Bobby can go scorched earth for a couple weeks, he might steal some votes. But it’s gonna be a tall task. Those east coast voters love themselves some NYC and Judge. Everything else is flyover country. [Reply]
Looks like on Tuesday they went with a bullpen game. Used the opener and then 6 other guys out of the bullpen. Don't know why though but it pushed Skenes and the other starters back a day. [Reply]
Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat:
Looks like on Tuesday they went with a bullpen game. Used the opener and then 6 other guys out of the bullpen. Don't know why though but it pushed Skenes and the other starters back a day.
It's because they have two young pitchers and are in no hurry to pile on the innings. It makes sense to give them an extra day every time through the rotation as a precaution since they are basically out of the playoffs chase. [Reply]
