* If you had told me from the start that after two games in Yankee Stadium the R's would have split them and should have swept them, completely outplaying the Bombers, I would have told you to get
thee to a mental health professional near you and RUN, don't walk. Wow.
* Salvy laying off those two sliders at shoe level was HUGE. See he CAN show some plate discipline when he wants to.
* Yuli. I remember watching him with the 'stros in the Series. How cool he was, and clutch, and how goofy his hair looked when he wore that bandana.
* Where are all the Hampson Haters now?
* Was so relieved to see Bubic come back out for the 8th. Was afraid Q would try to get Erceg to go for a 6-out save, which could have been disastrous.
* Have been concerned about BWJ all through September, actually. Check his numbers. They are solid,
for a mortal, but well below his previous output. Am convinced he just wore down. Putting a few pounds of muscle on would not hurt.
I split isn’t the best-case scenario, but it’s a damn good one.
Sal really sees Rodón well. So if you’re looking for him to lay off those sliders (aren’t we all!) that’s the matchup. A little better for Perez those were coming from a lefty.
I wasn’t worried about Q going to Erceg for two innings. Not after the pitches he threw on Saturday. Days off in this series help, but Q can’t get crazy.
Witt has slumped a bit but is still hitting the ball hard. These regular seasons are a grind, even for the superstars.
My hot take, for what it's worth: Even though the big stage has overwhelmed Bobby & Vinnie at the plate so far (their swings have gotten progressively worse!), the Royals could have won game one if the bullpen didn't get the yips and walk everybody. I think a return to the K will settle Bobby & Vinnie, and the Royals are in excellent shape to win this series.
I hate to say they’re “overwhelmed.” Maybe pressing, which would be understandable given the circumstances. As we know, Bobby hits much better at home. I wouldn’t be surprised if he found his groove at The K.
For Vinnie to have gotten any hits since coming back is pretty remarkable. Guessing getting used to a new thumb and new bat are more of the issue than the big stage. Bobby has gotten a little unlucky, but doesn't seem to be on full superstar- i'm bettting KC gets him in the right mindset
I get it, but didn’t think that those were difficult takes. (Who am I to talk, sitting at a keyboard, right?) I saw them pair of sliders coming in from a lefty that never had a chance of catching the zone. They looked non competitive to me. Rodón was visibly frustrated after the second one, like he didn’t have his footing on the pitch.
Still, they were good takes from the standpoint that Salvy got the count 2-0 in his favor against a pitcher he owns. And then punished that third consecutive slider.
After seeing a Soto quote about how he's seen Bubic, Zerpa, and Ragans now, I wonder if Quatraro has been saving Lynch for a really BIG moment. I just hope he's not rusty.
Great point. I feel like that’s something we’ve started to hear about in a short series where a batter sees the same reliever two or three games in a row and then just crushes. These hitters are smart.
Saving Lynch for later in this series would be the ultimate chess master move.
I just realized that the Royals are 7-3 in their last 10 games, all on the road & seven against teams that made the postseason. Two of the three losses were by one run when the bullpen wobbled late. That's sneakily excellent.
* If you had told me from the start that after two games in Yankee Stadium the R's would have split them and should have swept them, completely outplaying the Bombers, I would have told you to get
thee to a mental health professional near you and RUN, don't walk. Wow.
* Salvy laying off those two sliders at shoe level was HUGE. See he CAN show some plate discipline when he wants to.
* Yuli. I remember watching him with the 'stros in the Series. How cool he was, and clutch, and how goofy his hair looked when he wore that bandana.
* Where are all the Hampson Haters now?
* Was so relieved to see Bubic come back out for the 8th. Was afraid Q would try to get Erceg to go for a 6-out save, which could have been disastrous.
* Have been concerned about BWJ all through September, actually. Check his numbers. They are solid,
for a mortal, but well below his previous output. Am convinced he just wore down. Putting a few pounds of muscle on would not hurt.
I split isn’t the best-case scenario, but it’s a damn good one.
Sal really sees Rodón well. So if you’re looking for him to lay off those sliders (aren’t we all!) that’s the matchup. A little better for Perez those were coming from a lefty.
I wasn’t worried about Q going to Erceg for two innings. Not after the pitches he threw on Saturday. Days off in this series help, but Q can’t get crazy.
Witt has slumped a bit but is still hitting the ball hard. These regular seasons are a grind, even for the superstars.
My hot take, for what it's worth: Even though the big stage has overwhelmed Bobby & Vinnie at the plate so far (their swings have gotten progressively worse!), the Royals could have won game one if the bullpen didn't get the yips and walk everybody. I think a return to the K will settle Bobby & Vinnie, and the Royals are in excellent shape to win this series.
I hate to say they’re “overwhelmed.” Maybe pressing, which would be understandable given the circumstances. As we know, Bobby hits much better at home. I wouldn’t be surprised if he found his groove at The K.
For Vinnie to have gotten any hits since coming back is pretty remarkable. Guessing getting used to a new thumb and new bat are more of the issue than the big stage. Bobby has gotten a little unlucky, but doesn't seem to be on full superstar- i'm bettting KC gets him in the right mindset
The turning point of the game was Salvy taking those two pitches before launching one. If Salvy can do that, perhaps his teammates will follow.
I get it, but didn’t think that those were difficult takes. (Who am I to talk, sitting at a keyboard, right?) I saw them pair of sliders coming in from a lefty that never had a chance of catching the zone. They looked non competitive to me. Rodón was visibly frustrated after the second one, like he didn’t have his footing on the pitch.
Still, they were good takes from the standpoint that Salvy got the count 2-0 in his favor against a pitcher he owns. And then punished that third consecutive slider.
It was a great AB.
I understand what you’re saying, but it appears ANY take by Salvy is a different take.
True. It’s not often we see him lay off a slider.
After seeing a Soto quote about how he's seen Bubic, Zerpa, and Ragans now, I wonder if Quatraro has been saving Lynch for a really BIG moment. I just hope he's not rusty.
Great point. I feel like that’s something we’ve started to hear about in a short series where a batter sees the same reliever two or three games in a row and then just crushes. These hitters are smart.
Saving Lynch for later in this series would be the ultimate chess master move.
I wonder if Lugo would be agreeable to having an opener before him? Lynch for two innings, Lugo for four or five, and then Bubic & Erceg?
I was also wondering if he was the break glass in case starter gets lit up. But have to wonder if he is getting too much rest
I figured that was Singer’s role. But I’ve kind of forgotten about him.
I just realized that the Royals are 7-3 in their last 10 games, all on the road & seven against teams that made the postseason. Two of the three losses were by one run when the bullpen wobbled late. That's sneakily excellent.