The thing is, and maybe it's just me, but this team is just almost an identical team as last year. We all have lamented about that awful May record (was it 8-20 or something?) last year and that most of us believed that if we had gone .500 on that May, the Royals could have been in the WC spot last year.

I know it is a long season, and anything can happen, but I think it's the repeat from last year's team, minus the horrendous May record, at least I hope that'd be the case....

I am excited to see these guys pumped up about a series against Detroit. Since being swept at home by Houston this team is 12-4.

Pitching matchups:

Detroit News:

I remember hearing that the Sox stranded 32 for the 3 game series- that was a bit unsettling.

Here's an irritating headline.

Tigers Look To Recapture Comfortable Division Lead In Series With Royals

The story basically reads like "a month ago the Tigers had a comfortable lead, but don't worry, the Royals are coming to town so we're obviously gonna win this week"

Bullshit. We're coming for blood, mother****ers.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisFickett">@ChrisFickett</a>: As <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Royals&amp;src=hash">#Royals</a> chase playoffs, GM Dayton Moore says he&#39;s confident team could spend more if needed <a href="http://t.co/WcYvzPZOdG">http://t.co/WcYvzPZOdG</a></p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/478662576952197120">June 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I'd ****ing hope so..

Lol no shit man

Um...Zobrist???

Shit, I hope not. I could see Dayton giving up Zimmer a la Shields for Myers.

He is a decent player, but if DM were to trade for a bat I would want a serious power bat. Or at least someone that will significantly improve this team.

Zobrist is a stud man. He's king of WAR. He can play multiple positions. That would probably mean being able to boot Moose to the curb. Surely Infante or Zobrist can play can rotate 3b accordingly. I wouldn't even care trading Zimmer for him quite honestly. Zimmer might not even do shit, especially with his injury history so far.

While I love Zobrist, and I choose him EVERY year in fantasy, he doesn't fit the Royals needs right now. If you are gonna trade for a bat, it has to be a power bat for this team. Don't care about average but just someone that can smash.

You guys done bagging on my boy Billay?? The trek to .300 batting average is coming.

I've always defended Billy but it's hard to continue to do that on this board. It's the same argument over and over.

Trust us, the Fatty ONLY reacts to taunting and name calling, so we're providing a service.

ROFLROFLROFL

not to hate on aoki, but what RF's (power hitting) could GMDM be eyeing?


and we're not gonna end up with myers........

They were just talking about the Royals hitting turnaround on MLB Network. I only caught the end of it but they were talking about how one underrated benefit with Sveum is that he was a switch hitter. Harold Reynolds especially harped on it. Said it made a huge difference to have a hitting coach that could competently step into the cage and demonstrate the point he was trying to make for hitters on both sides of the plate.

I don't know if that makes a huge difference or not, but it was an interesting discussion.

No, not done by a longshot. He's been awful this year and he's still in negative WAR territory. Hopefully he's turning back into what he's been his career, a solid 5-hitter, but we'll need more than a week.

Trade the farm for Stanton pls

CBS SPORTS:

It's possible he's still bouncing back from his offseason surgery, but you have to wonder how Leyland's habit of giving Verlander 120+ pitches a start is going to affect the latter part of the pitcher's career.

A latter part that, until 2019, belongs to the Tigers.

This all day, I don't even care who we give up for him.

We didn't have enough to make that work in 2013 even if we threw in Yordano. Without Ventura we simply don't come close to the near ready ML talent to make the trade work now. Also, if Stanton were to come on the market, several teams could outbid us without any problem.

As Duncan suggested, Marlon Byrd is far more realistic, feasible and less sexy candidate for what we have to offer.

Oh I know it's a pipedream at best

Yeah, it is.

I think the biggest thing is that the Marlins really have little incentive to trade him. He's not crazily expensive. They actually have quite a bit of young talent (Christian Yelich, Jose Fernandez, Nate Eovaldi, Jacob Turner, Marcell Ozuna, Andrew Heaney) and could make a run with it in the next year or two, if Fernandez comes back healthy.

So does GMDM shop for a bat or an arm at the deadline?

Was Dozier promoted to AA?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Couldn&#39;t be more proud of my little brother getting moved up to AA today! Much deserved and excited to see what this next step brings!</p>&mdash; Devin Dozier (@dozierredraider) <a href="https://twitter.com/dozierredraider/statuses/478658050945867776">June 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Isn't there a good 3rd base prospect already at AA? Duncan ???

Since start of play on 5/29, @Royals are tied with @Athletics for most runs in AL (93). Entering that day, KC was last in AL in runs scored.

By the way Dale Sveum was hired as the new hitting coach on May 29.

This isn't a coincidence. Dale Sveum has literally by himself turned the Royals team around.

Thanks.

I'm certainly no expert on baseball but it seems to me like in most situations a hitting coach wouldn't make this big of a difference. Could it perhaps be that the previous coach just had everybody doing something funky with their swing, stance, etc. that was messing with them? So possibly Sveum has them back to doing what they're comfortable with?

I have absolutely no clue, just throwing something out there.

Cheslor Cuthbert.

He's below Dozier on the organizational chart at this point, though. And he's not a lock to stick at 3B. He's actually like a year younger than Dozier if I recall correctly.

It makes sense to move Dozier, though. He's an advanced college guy with a really strong approach who is slugging over .500 in the Carolina league since May 1. His really slow start in April has been completely overcome, it appears.

Cuthbert is a guy who might have to move to 1B/LF/RF eventually. They might be panning to do that now.

They also can split time between the two guys at 3B and DH, if necessary. I don't think Cuthbert is ready for a promotion to Omaha (He has a .700ish OPS at NWA, that's driven in large part by his OBP).

If anything it would have to do with approach. Working counts, looking for pitches in a certain area, etc.... I have noticed Infante basically refusing to swing at any first pitch lately to the point he's stepping back out of the box as the pitch is thrown. I don't recall him doing that before.

Do you think one of those two could be a September call-up?

Dozier would need to absolutely destroy the ball at NWA, force his way to Omaha, and keep it up there.

It's possible but unlikely.

The biggest thing working in Dozier's favor is that he has an EXTREMELY advanced approach. Guys like that can sometimes move faster than others.

From what I've been told, it had more to do with Grifol being in over his head than anything else. He's all about the swing and lower half feeling good and doesn't focus as much on approach or prep.

Sveum's philosophy is quite a bit different. Head and hands (a more classic focus for hitting) and preps better.

So, he could feasibly replace Moose if not sometime in 2015 then definitely in 2016?

Promoting him to NWA now is a move that attempts to get him ready for at least a mid-season callup in 2015, to me.

Also means they're probably not looking at a big splashy move like bringing in Adrian Beltre to handle 3B.

You are right that normally a hitting coach does not make much of a difference and they are usually convenient scapegoats. The only way they might make a difference is if they are doing something really bizarre to screw up the players.

Its difficult to know if that was the case here, because baseball teams are not going to throw guys under the bus even if they privately think he was a terrible coach and they had to get rid of him. From what little information we have been able to get though, Grifol's approach to teaching hitting was apparently really odd.

Dale Sveum, the man, the myth, the legend.....
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If anyone is planning on going to the game on Saturday, they are giving away KC/WSU hats. Unfortunately I have a wedding the same day and can't go. I would be willing to purchase a hat or two off someone if the opportunity presented itself. Just thought I would throw it out there.

Donnie Joseph down Lois Coleman back up

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Chris Getz is here in the Royals clubhouse.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/478994118367256578">June 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Were doomed.

However, perhaps tonight we will hit for MOAR MOAR POWER?

MOAR Getz wife please.

His career line against Scherzer:

.357/.438/.429

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...atter=getzch01

Definitely

Is Getz actually there for playing purposes, or to give an inspirational speech or what? Yikes. Is Jason Kendall talking to Salvy about going the other way too?

He retired, so I don't know whats going on. Does he live in Detroit?

He is from there, so that's probably the deal.

I was in Detroit a few years back for a conference, stopped in a bar and was chatting with the bartender about the Royals and Tigs. He inconspicuously asked us about Getz, and it dawned on the friend I was with that he knew him being from Detroit and all. Turns out he played with Getz and Prince Fielder as they were both coming up in the Detroit area around the same time. Luckily we didn't say anything too harsh about Getzy as this bartender was actually in his wedding and took a trip to Chicago when the guy was first called up. He did have a pretty good story about Prince being a dickhead, and the team putting icy hot in his jock strap.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>In the minor leagues, Ned Yost hung pictures of Dusty Rhodes in his locker. When he coached in Atlanta, they became friends.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/479000459953176578">June 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dick Kaegel: &quot;Why does anybody watch that crap?&quot; Ned Yost: &quot;It&#39;s entertaining.&quot; Me: &quot;You like wrestling?&quot; Yost: &quot;Love it.&quot; Good times.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/479002752391987200">June 17, 2014</a></blockquote>
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http://coedbc.files.wordpress.com/20...nicky-getz.jpg

http://fabwags.com/wp-content/upload...ife-photos.jpg

http://fabwags.com/wp-content/upload...istina-pic.jpg

Moar

So the Legendary Chris Getz is in the royals clubhouse today? Wow. No way we lose this one tonight, not with Getz's inspiration and grit lingering. Game over. Might as well not even come Tigers fans.

Getz is a lucky, lucky man.

I just watched the reigning Cy Young winner throw 50+ pitches in an inning & the Royals scored 7 runs. I can't remember feeling like this in years.

Finnegan pitching for tcu on ESPN now

Tonight, we celebrate.

Tomorrow we go 1.5 games ahead of the Kitties.

I think I need to post MOAR photos of Gretz's wife.

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch View Post
So what if they do? They're 10 up on us already. Does anyone actually think we're going to be 11 games better than them the rest of the way? With our slapdick offense? Almost zero chance.

If it was the Twins or White Sox off to a great start, no biggie. But Detroit has been better for years and every intelligent person thought they'd be again too. It's like if the Broncos get off to a 5-0 start next year. Different than if the Faders do.

PB, I still have faith.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>So, uh what&#39;s my move if I run into Dayton at the K this weekend? Is &quot;kneel before him and kiss his ring&quot; the proper way to beg forgiveness?</p>&mdash; Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) <a href="https://twitter.com/jazayerli/statuses/479073171933376512">June 18, 2014</a></blockquote>
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LMAO

Shields and Iwakuma will be the pitching match up Friday when the Royals return home.
I want to see 40k there.

sorry I will be at avett bros

I'm heading home from the East Coast Friday morning. It's going to take a lot of driving Friday but I'm going to do my best to make the Saturday afternoon game.

Never saw her.......:hmmm:

I'll be there on Sunday and Monday

She was on Amazing Race with Dejesus wife, whose also no slouch.
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Umm, I think the stadium only holds 37k. And I'll be there saturday and monday

I'm happy today but ill stick to Detroit winning the division and I bet they do by 4+ games. The Royals peripherals are not very impressive and since I believe in stats, I am positive they'll hold long term. But I'm hoping I'm wrong!


Also I said 79 wins this year so I also hope in wrong there.

I have a feeling Gretz's wife is less of a looker than Getz's, but hey, NTTAWWT.

Finnegan looks like a total beast. He's got a bit of a crouched delivery and he was firing 94/95 tonight with a big sweeping breaker a la Sale. (And no, I'm not comparing him to Sale outside that pitch). Also both VA and TCU brought in relievers firing 95 gas. The VA guy wen just after Finnegan and the tcu guy is eligible next year. I think these guys would get MLB hitters out right now, at least with some regularity

I hate HS pitchers. The only one that worked out for us since 1990 was Zack. Maybe Duffy will follow.