Right up to the fateful moment, this game reminded me distinctly of 2014-15. Get a lead, close the other team down; no muss no fuss.
I say McArthur has far too good stuff to be taken out of the closer roll. The team needs to find out, RIGHT NOW if he has the mental makeup to handle a shocking defeat. They need to find out if he's going to be able to be counted on for the long haul. I mean, who else is there?
Agree on all counts. For McArthur, he’s still the guy. And like Q said, they’re going to keep putting him in those high-leverage situations. We’ll see if he can adapt and get that short memory required for closers.
There were so many uncharacteristic moments (at least for this year) last night from the seventh inning on, and any one of them could have changed the outcome of the game:
* Top of seventh, two outs--Mikael was not going to throw out the runner at first. He tried and threw it away. That may not have mattered because there were two hits afterward, so the run probably scores from first, anyway;
* Also top of seventh--why Zerpa there? I really believe that Lugo could have gotten out of this own mess;
* Top of eighth--Renfroe doesn't catch a ball in right field that was seemingly in his glove. Would have been a really good play, but he makes really good plays, and if he makes it there, maybe William Contreras never bats in the ninth;
* Bottom of eighth--Isbel caught stealing to end the inning. Ouch, but it happens.
* Top of ninth--just pitch to Gary (I happen to disagree with John Sterling: Gary is NOT "so scary." Well, he kinda is, but Willy Adames is scarier).
The worst part about it may be that Schreiber threw 28 pitches and McArthur threw 30, so neither are likely available this afternoon.
Good summary of events. For me (and I probably should’ve mentioned it, so I’m glad you brought it up) was the removal of Lugo. At that point I was wondering if he would finish the game, he was so economical with his pitches. He finished at 77 so he absolutely still had gas in the tank.
All I could figure (and I never saw if Quatraro said this) was that he was entering his fourth time through the order. Personally, I would have left him in (yes, I know it's easy to say after the fact).
Was wondering about the 4th time through the order, too. Because he’s been a reliever most of his career, that sample is extremely limited (13 PAs). Just knowing his pitch mix and the fact he was well under 100…I wouldn’t worry so much about leaving him in.
I would like to say, McArthur has never been dominant. He has saved some games for the Royals this year for sure. If you look at his college and minor league numbers, he pitched with overall 4.50 ERAs. So he comes to the majors with little or no success and is now the closer. Really? His past does not predict his future, but it is an indicator. I hope he comes around again, but he may just be that guy that pitches four or five good games and then gives up some runs. Not many closers have 4+ ERAs for a good reason.
I've always thought he's probably a placeholder for McMillon or Klein, but he had been doing well enough that it was a good thing. Let's see how he bounces back from two straight "disappointing" outings.
McMillon is struggling at Omaha walking 16 in 8.1 innings, his ERA hovering the 9 mark. Living less than 50 miles from Omaha, I hit the Storm Chasers games 5 or 6 times a season. I saw one of his outings that was brutal. He was coming no where near plate. The frustration on his face was humbling. Since the forearm strain last year, he has not been himself. I had high hopes for him, but he might have other physical issues. People sitting around me were saying his delivery is different that last years. Perhaps to compensate for an injury??
I’m willing to trust the pitching coaches and see how McArthur continues to develop. The slider is supposed to be improved, but that’s getting hit in the early going. I’d like to see more of the cutter to give yet a different look. Ideally, he would miss more bats but he’s not hurting himself with walks, so I can probably live with the former. He’s still a work in progress at this point. Worth trying in that role.
Do not taunt happy fun ball.
I actually hate the loss a tiny bit less knowing that moment happened. Sucks to be on the wrong side of it but it's a very cool baseball moment.
Agree. Would’ve been better if Vinnie had called his shot. But still…wild moment.
Right up to the fateful moment, this game reminded me distinctly of 2014-15. Get a lead, close the other team down; no muss no fuss.
I say McArthur has far too good stuff to be taken out of the closer roll. The team needs to find out, RIGHT NOW if he has the mental makeup to handle a shocking defeat. They need to find out if he's going to be able to be counted on for the long haul. I mean, who else is there?
Agree on all counts. For McArthur, he’s still the guy. And like Q said, they’re going to keep putting him in those high-leverage situations. We’ll see if he can adapt and get that short memory required for closers.
There were so many uncharacteristic moments (at least for this year) last night from the seventh inning on, and any one of them could have changed the outcome of the game:
* Top of seventh, two outs--Mikael was not going to throw out the runner at first. He tried and threw it away. That may not have mattered because there were two hits afterward, so the run probably scores from first, anyway;
* Also top of seventh--why Zerpa there? I really believe that Lugo could have gotten out of this own mess;
* Top of eighth--Renfroe doesn't catch a ball in right field that was seemingly in his glove. Would have been a really good play, but he makes really good plays, and if he makes it there, maybe William Contreras never bats in the ninth;
* Bottom of eighth--Isbel caught stealing to end the inning. Ouch, but it happens.
* Top of ninth--just pitch to Gary (I happen to disagree with John Sterling: Gary is NOT "so scary." Well, he kinda is, but Willy Adames is scarier).
The worst part about it may be that Schreiber threw 28 pitches and McArthur threw 30, so neither are likely available this afternoon.
Good summary of events. For me (and I probably should’ve mentioned it, so I’m glad you brought it up) was the removal of Lugo. At that point I was wondering if he would finish the game, he was so economical with his pitches. He finished at 77 so he absolutely still had gas in the tank.
All I could figure (and I never saw if Quatraro said this) was that he was entering his fourth time through the order. Personally, I would have left him in (yes, I know it's easy to say after the fact).
Was wondering about the 4th time through the order, too. Because he’s been a reliever most of his career, that sample is extremely limited (13 PAs). Just knowing his pitch mix and the fact he was well under 100…I wouldn’t worry so much about leaving him in.
I would like to say, McArthur has never been dominant. He has saved some games for the Royals this year for sure. If you look at his college and minor league numbers, he pitched with overall 4.50 ERAs. So he comes to the majors with little or no success and is now the closer. Really? His past does not predict his future, but it is an indicator. I hope he comes around again, but he may just be that guy that pitches four or five good games and then gives up some runs. Not many closers have 4+ ERAs for a good reason.
I've always thought he's probably a placeholder for McMillon or Klein, but he had been doing well enough that it was a good thing. Let's see how he bounces back from two straight "disappointing" outings.
McMillon is struggling at Omaha walking 16 in 8.1 innings, his ERA hovering the 9 mark. Living less than 50 miles from Omaha, I hit the Storm Chasers games 5 or 6 times a season. I saw one of his outings that was brutal. He was coming no where near plate. The frustration on his face was humbling. Since the forearm strain last year, he has not been himself. I had high hopes for him, but he might have other physical issues. People sitting around me were saying his delivery is different that last years. Perhaps to compensate for an injury??
I’m willing to trust the pitching coaches and see how McArthur continues to develop. The slider is supposed to be improved, but that’s getting hit in the early going. I’d like to see more of the cutter to give yet a different look. Ideally, he would miss more bats but he’s not hurting himself with walks, so I can probably live with the former. He’s still a work in progress at this point. Worth trying in that role.
Is there anything to be gained or learned from our Kansas City Royal’s blowing two saves in the last three nights at Kauffman Stadium 🏟️?
Take nothing for granted!