Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
I felt as sure that the Yankees would win the last two games of the Seattle series, and they did just that, but with the memory of last weekend's weak-ass showing against the Devil Rays still fresh, I'm on the fence about whether I think the Yankees will win this series against the Royals. It's the start of a nine-game road trip, the Blue Jays and Red Sox looming. I'm actually feeling that they are going to lose two-of-three, and I'm not trying to be dramatic, either.
I don't know much about the Royals but I do know that they've been competitive. They are throwing three pretty good pitchers at the Yanks this weekend, I know that much. It's just that I'm not convinced the Yankees can bring their A-game to a so-so team on a regular basis.
Show us you are a playoff team. You know what I'm saying? C'mon already. I know we're impatient, I know we're demanding. Just win already and we'll leave you alone.
With Cliff still away on vacay, I was fortunate enough to get acclaimed sports writer Joe Posnanski--whose wonderful blog, The Soul of Baseball, quickly became a must-read this season--to share his thoughts on the Royals with us. Enjoy.
The KC RoyalsBy Joe Posnanski.
Since May 12, the Royals have played exactly .500 baseball -- they are 51-51. This probably doesn't seem the kind of record that would prompt a ticker-tape parade, but hey it has been bad around here. The Royals are one win away from clinching a non-100 loss season. When you've lost 100 games four out of five years, you take your small victories when you can get them.
The exciting part about the Royals recent solid play is that they are doing it with kids. The Royals one moment of promise in the last 15 or so years happened in 2003 when they got off to the amazing 16-3 start and were in first place most of the season. But they did that mostly with veterans -- Mike Sweeney, Raul Ibanez, Carlos Beltran, Brian Anderson, Jose Lima (!), Curt Leskanic, etc. -- and any clear-eyed observer would have known that it could not last. Of course, the Royals had been so bad for so long that many of us DID think it would last, then Ibanez signed elsewhere, Beltran was traded, Sweeney got hurt, the others got old, and the Royals lost 210 games the next two seasons.
This time around, at least, it's the kids sparking the resurgence. It begins with rookie starter Brian Bannister, who came over from the Mets in the Ambiorix Burgos deal. I am so rarely right about anything, but, man, I nailed that deal. I heard from all my New York friends when Burgos showed up at spring training throwing 100 mph, looking great. I said: "Just wait." Burgos, as predicted, couldn't throw strikes, couldn't get anybody out and blew out his arm. Have fun with that guy.
Meanwhile, Bannister has been terrific -- to me, he's the American League rookie of the year right now. You could argue for Dustin Pedroia, I suppose, but at this point I still like Bannister. For so long people were ready to hand the award to Dice-K. Look at their numbers now:
Bannister: 12-7, 3.16 ERA, 151 ERA+, league is hitting .242 against him.
Matsuzaka: 14-11, 4.11 ERA, 111 ERA+, league is hitting .246 against him.So it starts with Bannister. He will throw this weekend. Then, you throw in rookie closer Joakim Soria, who has been electric all year -- the league is hitting .192 against him. Yankees fans will, I think, see similarities between him and Mariano. I'm not comparing the two at all, obviously. I'm saying that Soria obviously idolizes Rivera because he has patterned his setup and delivery after the guy. At times, if you look away from the screen and look back quickly, they look identical. Try it! It's fun!
Then there are the two rookie hitters -- Alex Gordon and Billy Butler. Gordon started off the season horribly -- on June 6 he was hitting .173. Since then he's hitting right at .300 with some power, and it's clear watching him play that he pattered HIS game after George Brett.
Billy Butler is just a stud. No other way to say it. He's 21 years old, his power isn't in place yet, he has no position, but the guy can flat hit. If you took his stats from this year over a full season, you would come up with a .300 average, 40 or so doubles, 12 homers, between 90 and 100 RBIs -- and this guy has no idea what he's doing yet. A scout called me and said he's the best young right handed hitter he's seen since Manny Ramirez.
That's four rookies, all contributing (five if you include shortstop Tony Pena, who really can't hit and never walks but probably makes more good defensive plays than any other shortstop in the league). There are some other good signs too. Zack Greinke, after a couple of lost years, is back in the rotation and he has not given up a run in this stretch as a starter. Gil Meche, who was everybody's favorite whipping boy when the Royals gave him $55 million over five years, has been solid (his 7-12 record doesn't show it; his 3.85 ERA does). Mark Teahen has had an up-and-down year, but he's a good player who can beat you a few different ways. Joey Gathright's average had dropped a bit, but he's beginning to figure out how to use his amazing speed. Longtime Royals icon Mike Sweeney is back with the team and has been hitting the ball hard again.
Point is there are signs of hope in Kansas City. It's worth noting, however, that these signs of hope did not prevent the Yankees from destroying the Royals in the Bronx.
Ian Kennedy is on the mound tonight, making his second-career start. Gil Meche, winless in his last eight starts, goes for the Royals. Yanks have their work cut out as Meche is due for a turn in luck, but they are still supposed to win these games, yes?
Right. Exactly.
Would be great to see Rodriguez hit his 50th in KC.
Let's Go Yan-Kees!
I recently asked a French girl, and it's true.
How can one tell?
Sitting down to espresso, mueslix and miso soup for the 9am local start. Let`s go Yan-kees!
The fries--frites--in Belgium are the best I've ever had.
I just had that headline in my head and couldn't not use it even if it was for a Q. Tarrantino movie. I really don't like but he's got talent. I just don't care for it much, though I did like the parts I saw of the Kung Fu movie.
Arod hit 499 vs. him, remember?
Are we supposed to read into that? Judging by their snickering, I'd say yes.
NEW YANKEE RECORD FOR A RHH!!!
How can Cabrera get kicked out of the game and ALL OF THE SOX who charged onto the field and out of the BP get to hang around?
OK, Friday night time, may I come back to homers 50 through 74.
61 I agree with 65 . Look at it this way: we get all bent out of shape when some unknown young pitcher gets called up from AA and then shuts down the Yankees. Well, maybe this is not a Yankees only phenomenon. Rather, I'm sure fans from other teams grimace when De Salvo or Kennedy or whoever shuts them down in his first start, before the ML scouting catches up.
Meche has been pretty impressive actually...
There is no other explanation.
If you look closely, there does seem to be a small "666" on the back of his neck.
You would think that the Red Sox would pick him up.
Now, with Arod due up, it would be a good idea to get some runs.
Sounds about right, Alex.
Time to replace the umps with computers to call balls and strikes, IMHO.
Joba for 2 and Mo for 1.
At least he's out now. Joba for the 7th/8th, especially if the Yanks take the lead?
How about the Farns though, huh?
166 My good feelings may have been ill conceived.
Also, I have to learn to trust your good feelings.
So do I! ; )
Melky: .500/.622/.641
Cano: .652/.794/.720
Jeter: .569/.731/.717
Matsui: .273/.626/.770
Giambi: .354/.503/.786
Damon: .289/.628/.736
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/fox_sports_perry46/
How are we doing?
Arod: 1.617/1.246/1.268
Posada: 1.544/.996/.963
Abreu: 1.131/.892/.951
Arod's numbers this past month define MVP.
Damn it!
Jorgie fucking hit that one.
Damn.
It can definitely be done. Three cameras, a computer, and an application to deal with the data. One camera is overhead (which already exists!). Then you put one on each side of the plate - obviously back from the batter's box - with a wide enough lens and high enough resolution so that software could define the strike zone properly for each pitch. That way, even if the batter changes his crouch or stance, the strike zone is still appropriate.
The live feed of the two cameras is fed to a computer running a software application that determines if the pitch is a ball or a strike. If the overhead camera shows it didn't cross the plate, ball. If the side camera shows it was out of the zone, ball. If its over the plate and in the zone, strike. You also code the software to properly note swinging strikes (including failed bunts) and check swings. On appeal of a checked swing, simply check a reply of each camera's feed. (And adjust the rules if someone tries to take advantage of that.)
I've been thinking about this for a few years. I'm almost convinced it could be done.
How nice.
201 Sounds perfect. Bud should hire you.
I'm scared now!
Do I understand this properly?
Ah, got him on the slider! Good thing Jorgie's listening to Banter.
Ha!
Fucking A, man.
Good God.
It says something when we remember his bad pitches
Wow!!!!!!
Saved Joba's bacon.
That must be the hardest hit ball off him yet.
It actually didn't look like a bad pitch, the guy just went down and golfed it.
Johnny caught a ball on the warning track. That wasn't Willie Mays or anything.
Usually refrain from the Torre-bashing, but why bring in Minkqwertzixks when he`s due to lead off?? automatic out..
He had to get a good jump.
It will be a sad day though.
Anyways, if Boston retaliates for Jobs`s "headhunting", I hope we bring in Farnsworth to nail one of their guys..
Nice and easy, up the gut!
And thank you too Mr. Posnanski - please get back to blogging soon!
:)
Duque was like that, too.
291 Certain players in all sports get free rides. MJ, Brett Farve, Clemens, Ripken...not to say any are `guilty` of anything, but certainly media has held back on a lot of things. Easier to save their outrage for Bonds I suppose. (Think Rick Reiley)
Damn it.
Quick bat.
C'mon Joba, where's the K? Can't get out of an inning without a K dude!
PS- Ken Singleton much easier to listen to than M.Kay..always read a lot of criticism of him but good job tonight.
Nice.
Minky does the job!
314 He came in last inning. Then he led off. Inexplicable why Joe stuck him in at that moment.
Didn't he have a slider issue the last outing, as well, or am I confusing him with another pitcher?
Somewhere around 17?
336 Torre = Mr. Formula.
Come on Mo...let's make this easy.
One pitch, one out!
HAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Three pitches, two outs.
Next!????
unreal ..... they're going to the 10th tied at 10.
Jussssssssst missed.
That was a good win, boys.
Very big win...very big.
And there's your ballgame.
Dear, sweet Mo.
My hero.
And I haven't checked, but I wouldn't be surprised if their R vs RA since the break aren't better than the Mariners'.
KC 4.6 R/g, 4.8 RA/g, 67-72 pythW-L
SEA 4.9 R/g, 5.0 RA/g, 68-70 pythW-L
It's not a ridiculous thought by any stretch.
Christ.
Actually, since the Huskers are playing tomorrow, I wonder how many people are actually going to make the trip. The world pretty much stops here when they're on TV.
395 I've been once. Lincoln. I liked it. And I saw some bison, in a park outside of town.
Joe left him in too long.
Ha ah ha ha ha ha hah !!1
He's a Mensch.
Why does he have to be such a lousy manager of the bullpen?
He's so money.
Wow.
Alex.
49.
Damn.
"Again, it was impressive that Ian was able to get out of that fifth inning."
I like this Alex.
He's matured, or maybe that's just me.
YES postgame.
:)
Andy's going to come up big.
Never fear.
Andy's a golden god.
Ian Kennedy looks like Howdy Doody.
Vizcaino to rest: Torre said that righty reliever Luis Vizcaino will rest through the weekend series against Kansas City. Vizcaino, third in the AL with 70 appearances, has been playing with a sore right shoulder.
"He is feeling a lot better today and will probably play a little catch, and we don't think that it is anything that is going to take a long time," Torre said.
I love this kid.
Love him.
:(
"I called him last night and told him that if he faces me, he has to throw me a first-pitch fastball," Gordon said with a smile. "I was the older guy at Nebraska, so he has to follow my rules."
Joba obeyed!
But, you never know.
The Royals announcers really thought the ball from Butler was gone, and I thought I heard the fireworks going off as it went to commercial....
as beckett, the hillbilly ace says, joba, what ac unt!
and what point is that exactly?
Now good night.
this is what i meant. just having some fun brogan!
http://tinyurl.com/2unrbh
http://yankees.lohudblogs.com/2007/09/08/memorable-night-for-the-chamberlain-family/
The Joba, rules!
Scratch a Red Sox fan, find a racist. Perfect. In case Gary Matthews needed vindication.
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