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The Kansas City Royals are a team that I've tried to keep an eye on the past few years, especially since the Brewers traded the farm to obtain "ace" pitcher Zack Greinke on December 19, 2010.
By "traded the farm", I mean the Brewers traded young shortstop Alcides Escobar, promising young center fielder Lorenzo Cain and Jake Odirizzi, one of their few pitching prospects to get a frontline starting pitcher. That entire subsequent year of 2011 I couldn't care less that they made the trade because the move to get Greinke helped push the Brewers toward a World Series appearance.
While they fell short of their dreams, it was a great ride that I wouldn't trade back for the world.
Anyway, those young Royals (whom I refer to as the 'Brewers West' because of all their ties to Milwaukee) seem to have turned the corner and are making a push for a spot in the playoffs, most likely as an American League wild card because they won't catch Detroit.
Former Brewers manager and current Royals manager, Ned Yost, has always referred to his players as 'kids' or 'the kids' since making this trade. For some reason, I've consistently found that amusing because clearly they are not children and it just seems like a Ned thing to do. They are starting to play like they can in the second half and ironically, since they designated RF Jeff Francoeur for assignment, the team has been playing great baseball.
The Royals are 17-10 since letting Francoeur go and are 14-4 since the All-Star break.
What's been the key to their success? I hate to give you the cliche response and say great pitching and consistent hitting but it's the way you win in baseball.
1B Eric Hosmer has been on a tear in the second half of the season, including at 3-for-5, five RBI performance on Monday's 13-0 route of the Minnesota Twins. He's hitting .295 for the year but is hitting .342 since the break. Mike Moustakas had a dreadful first half but is hitting over .300 in the second half as well.
What about those former Brewers? Cain is hitting a solid .258 this year which is quite a bit less than his career average of .271. Escobar is also struggling offensively and is hitting well below his career average. I think these guys can turn it on a bit and help out the Royals offensively but their defense is always going to impact the game.
The quiet pickup of Justin Maxwell from the Houston Astros has been pretty nice for KC as well. He'll be a nice bat to have off the bench and plug into the RF spot in the field for some starts.
The real strength of this team, however, is their pitching staff. Anytime you're fourth in the majors in quality starts, you're going to give yourself a chance.
The additions of James Shields and Ervin Santana have been great for these Royals. Shields has an ERA of 3.36 this year and, despite a blowup start last night against the Twins, Shields has given the Royals some much needed frontline stability. Santana has backed him up with an 8-6 record and a 2.96 ERA.
Also, top prospect Danny Duffy is making his season debut tonight after being out since last June after undergoing Tommy John surgery. If he can come in and replace Wade Davis (who's not having his finest year), that would be huge for the back of the Royals rotation going forward.
And if you're going to talk Royals baseball, you have to mention their outstanding bullpen. Former #1 overall pick Luke Hochevar seems to have found his niche in the Royals 'pen as a middle man. He's got a 1.65 ERA in 36 appearances this year, all out of the bullpen. Closer Greg Holland has been a stud as well. Holland is 29/31 in save opportunities this year and has emerged as a sure fire closer.
This run the Royals are on isn't necessarily a spitting image of the '08 Brewers but it's similar in that a young team is finally starting to gel and are looking to make a playoff push. I'll be rooting for them down the stretch, no doubt.
By "traded the farm", I mean the Brewers traded young shortstop Alcides Escobar, promising young center fielder Lorenzo Cain and Jake Odirizzi, one of their few pitching prospects to get a frontline starting pitcher. That entire subsequent year of 2011 I couldn't care less that they made the trade because the move to get Greinke helped push the Brewers toward a World Series appearance.
While they fell short of their dreams, it was a great ride that I wouldn't trade back for the world.
Anyway, those young Royals (whom I refer to as the 'Brewers West' because of all their ties to Milwaukee) seem to have turned the corner and are making a push for a spot in the playoffs, most likely as an American League wild card because they won't catch Detroit.
Former Brewers manager and current Royals manager, Ned Yost, has always referred to his players as 'kids' or 'the kids' since making this trade. For some reason, I've consistently found that amusing because clearly they are not children and it just seems like a Ned thing to do. They are starting to play like they can in the second half and ironically, since they designated RF Jeff Francoeur for assignment, the team has been playing great baseball.
 |
| Ned being Ned. |
The Royals are 17-10 since letting Francoeur go and are 14-4 since the All-Star break.
What's been the key to their success? I hate to give you the cliche response and say great pitching and consistent hitting but it's the way you win in baseball.
1B Eric Hosmer has been on a tear in the second half of the season, including at 3-for-5, five RBI performance on Monday's 13-0 route of the Minnesota Twins. He's hitting .295 for the year but is hitting .342 since the break. Mike Moustakas had a dreadful first half but is hitting over .300 in the second half as well.
What about those former Brewers? Cain is hitting a solid .258 this year which is quite a bit less than his career average of .271. Escobar is also struggling offensively and is hitting well below his career average. I think these guys can turn it on a bit and help out the Royals offensively but their defense is always going to impact the game.
The quiet pickup of Justin Maxwell from the Houston Astros has been pretty nice for KC as well. He'll be a nice bat to have off the bench and plug into the RF spot in the field for some starts.
The real strength of this team, however, is their pitching staff. Anytime you're fourth in the majors in quality starts, you're going to give yourself a chance.
The additions of James Shields and Ervin Santana have been great for these Royals. Shields has an ERA of 3.36 this year and, despite a blowup start last night against the Twins, Shields has given the Royals some much needed frontline stability. Santana has backed him up with an 8-6 record and a 2.96 ERA.
Also, top prospect Danny Duffy is making his season debut tonight after being out since last June after undergoing Tommy John surgery. If he can come in and replace Wade Davis (who's not having his finest year), that would be huge for the back of the Royals rotation going forward.
And if you're going to talk Royals baseball, you have to mention their outstanding bullpen. Former #1 overall pick Luke Hochevar seems to have found his niche in the Royals 'pen as a middle man. He's got a 1.65 ERA in 36 appearances this year, all out of the bullpen. Closer Greg Holland has been a stud as well. Holland is 29/31 in save opportunities this year and has emerged as a sure fire closer.
This run the Royals are on isn't necessarily a spitting image of the '08 Brewers but it's similar in that a young team is finally starting to gel and are looking to make a playoff push. I'll be rooting for them down the stretch, no doubt.
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