*** Official 2015 Royals Repository ***

[duncan_idaho]

In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions.

Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins
Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer

I can't wait for this season to start. The AL Central should be a very entertaining race. I'll give brief thoughts on each team the Royals must contend with to make it back to the postseason - strengths and weaknesses.

Detroit Tigers:
Strength: The offense is still full of powerful hitters, and Miguel Cabrera may be healthier.
Weakness: Rotation is questionable after Price and Sanchez, bullpen continues to be horrible.

Cleveland Indians:
Strength: Great manager and a deep, versatile lineup.
Weakness: The rotation is a question mark past Corey Kluber, and even he has a few questions about him.

Chicago White Sox:
Strength: 1-2-3 combo of Sale, Quintana and Samardzija is pretty formidable. Offense is anchored by Jose Abreu, too.
Weakness: Defense still has major questions, and this team has 20 games to improve by if it really wants to make the playoffs.

The Royals will be a division winner IF ...
1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work
2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts
3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland
4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy
5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form

Let's get this started!

[Mav]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I hope Madison Bumgarner gets hit by a runaway trolley car.

Understandable.

[Canofbier]

New season, new avatar!

[DeepSouth]

Only 161 games left to go. When was the last time the Royals were tied for 1st place this early in the season?

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Only 161 games left to go. When was the last time the Royals were tied for 1st place this early in the season?

2008

[Coach]

So Sonny Gray for Oakland is currently no hitting the Rangers through 7 innings.

[tk13]

Just flipped on that game after college basketball. Still weird seeing Butler in green.

[Coach]

Fun fact. Bob Feller is the only no hitter on opening day in 1940 against the White Sox.

[Coach]

Welp.

[tk13]

So much for that. I'll take the blame for that. First batter I watch him face and he gives up a hit.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I hope Madison Bumgarner gets hit by a runaway trolley car.

Better yet.

I hope he gets incredibly disgruntled with the team that begins with an incident stemming from the GM eating his pudding from his lunch bag. The Gm deems him a locker room cancer and offers to trade him really cheap. Nobody budges because of the bad juju but Dayton steps in to trade him 2 prospects for him. Their Gm makes the trade. Both prospects don't do so well because they're incredibly mad because he's taking their pudding too, however, they've learned their lesson and keep quiet. Both are released midway through the season and signed by the Royals to a uber cap friendly deal. Both of them stay with the Royals the rest of their careers and are first rounder HOF. Royals win 3 championships facing the Giants in the WS every time.

Of course this is just my dream and can only occur if we are certain that San Fran's GM really, really likes pudding.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Only 3?

**** you!

[Dartgod]

I hate the off day after opening day. Especially after yesterday. I'm ready for them to get back at it today.

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

Better yet.

I hope he gets incredibly disgruntled with the team that begins with an incident stemming from the GM eating his pudding from his lunch bag.

Did he not have his meat first?

[Archie F. Swin]

So no opening day highlights from the American League Champs on the overnight Sportscenter. The only Royals mention was the score of the game during "Top Plays".

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

So no opening day highlights from the American League Champs on the overnight Sportscenter. The only Royals mention was the score of the game during "Top Plays".

Hehe, Sportscenter.