I think I'd rather watch a team that loses 7-6 than one that loses 3-2 in extras. It just gets so frustrating to see my team get down by one or two and feel like the game is already over.
Re: Manfred Man (Perfect Name): it's so artificial BUT the reason so many extra inning games grind on eternally is because players get tired and hungry and try to jack one, overswing and strike out. If more effort was made to manufacture runs . . .
Great point about Ragans and excessive pitch count.
A possible saving grace for Renfroe is that he started horribly last year, also, then, as I recall, became quite productive in June before getting hurt and losing it. Just saying . . .
MJ is absolutely beyond hope IMO. Why not ease the pressure on him a bit, send him to Omaha,
bring up SOMEbody who might not be a black hole; audition guys if you will.
Isbel's glove just does not make up for his pathetic bat.
The team cannot count on others in the Central to sputter; opportunities are being lost.
I would imagine that changes happen later this month if the struggles continue. But if Garcia continues to hit and India takes to left, then that solves one of the outfield problems. Renfroe gets a longer leash because of the track record and the contract, but it shouldn't be much longer.
Echoing your thoughts on Cole Ragans' pitch count problems -- I wrote earlier this spring briefly about how he could afford to pitch in the zone more often. He was 41st among 58 qualifying pitchers last year in zone rate despite leading all qualifiers in zone contact rate allowed. He certainly could attack hitters a bit more aggressively and still miss bats.
Of course, writing about Ragans' "problems" is difficult. Dude is a stud.
It's a good problem to have! I'm hoping as he continues to develop and mature as a starter, he figures out how to attack and cut into that pitch count.
I’ve thought since last year that Zumwalt and company need to go. Melendez talent at plate wasted. A lot of bats not showing up. Eventually someone needs to be held accountable. New season probably too early. Get into May and still choking at the plate? Pull the plug.
I get the desire to blame the coaching. I'm not sure that solves anything. Especially with Melendez. The Royals had a decent offense last year before dropping off in September. They still finished better than league average in runs scored and slightly below league average in overall production according to OPS+.
Craig, you and I will never agree on the Manfred Man rule, so I will cast that aside. I do have an opinion on how the home and away team should approach the Manfred Man. It's highly probable the runner from second will score. The fact that Biggio bunted the runner over to third in the 11th drove me insane. You almost have to assume to win the game you need more than one run as the visiting team. If you're the home team and the score in tied going into the bottom half of extras, it makes perfect sense to bunt. Even if Freddy drives in the runner from third on a hit with one out, you've wasted an out to get that run.
Since I'm no fan of the sacrifice bunt, I also dislike it in the extra frames with the Manfred Man on second. I think even the home team should swing away with the game tied. Three chances to punch the winning run home. Worst case in that scenario is you don't score and you play another inning. Of course, it all depends on who's up to lead off that inning.
I think I'd rather watch a team that loses 7-6 than one that loses 3-2 in extras. It just gets so frustrating to see my team get down by one or two and feel like the game is already over.
I'm for anything that avoids extra innings.
Re: Manfred Man (Perfect Name): it's so artificial BUT the reason so many extra inning games grind on eternally is because players get tired and hungry and try to jack one, overswing and strike out. If more effort was made to manufacture runs . . .
Great point about Ragans and excessive pitch count.
A possible saving grace for Renfroe is that he started horribly last year, also, then, as I recall, became quite productive in June before getting hurt and losing it. Just saying . . .
MJ is absolutely beyond hope IMO. Why not ease the pressure on him a bit, send him to Omaha,
bring up SOMEbody who might not be a black hole; audition guys if you will.
Isbel's glove just does not make up for his pathetic bat.
The team cannot count on others in the Central to sputter; opportunities are being lost.
I would imagine that changes happen later this month if the struggles continue. But if Garcia continues to hit and India takes to left, then that solves one of the outfield problems. Renfroe gets a longer leash because of the track record and the contract, but it shouldn't be much longer.
Echoing your thoughts on Cole Ragans' pitch count problems -- I wrote earlier this spring briefly about how he could afford to pitch in the zone more often. He was 41st among 58 qualifying pitchers last year in zone rate despite leading all qualifiers in zone contact rate allowed. He certainly could attack hitters a bit more aggressively and still miss bats.
Of course, writing about Ragans' "problems" is difficult. Dude is a stud.
It's a good problem to have! I'm hoping as he continues to develop and mature as a starter, he figures out how to attack and cut into that pitch count.
Can you say, “Ugly?”
UGLY!
I’ve thought since last year that Zumwalt and company need to go. Melendez talent at plate wasted. A lot of bats not showing up. Eventually someone needs to be held accountable. New season probably too early. Get into May and still choking at the plate? Pull the plug.
I get the desire to blame the coaching. I'm not sure that solves anything. Especially with Melendez. The Royals had a decent offense last year before dropping off in September. They still finished better than league average in runs scored and slightly below league average in overall production according to OPS+.
Melendez needs to see Omaha for a couple of months. He looks lost more and more.
That Balk call was strange. Crossed my mind that the umps may be testing other methods of undue influence with ABS looming.
I hope not!
Craig, you and I will never agree on the Manfred Man rule, so I will cast that aside. I do have an opinion on how the home and away team should approach the Manfred Man. It's highly probable the runner from second will score. The fact that Biggio bunted the runner over to third in the 11th drove me insane. You almost have to assume to win the game you need more than one run as the visiting team. If you're the home team and the score in tied going into the bottom half of extras, it makes perfect sense to bunt. Even if Freddy drives in the runner from third on a hit with one out, you've wasted an out to get that run.
Since I'm no fan of the sacrifice bunt, I also dislike it in the extra frames with the Manfred Man on second. I think even the home team should swing away with the game tied. Three chances to punch the winning run home. Worst case in that scenario is you don't score and you play another inning. Of course, it all depends on who's up to lead off that inning.