Royals *** Official 2015 Royals Repository *** - Page 5

duncan_idaho · 04-04-2015, 09:25 AM

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!

dmahurin · 04-04-2015, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Anyone here NOT gonna be at opening day? Its gonna be good to see a new flag beyond left field.

Unfortunately, I will not be there. Instead I'll be watching from home with my baby boy that was born a few hours after the wildcard game. My tiny good luck charm.

**lewdog** · 04-04-2015, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Anyone here NOT gonna be at opening day? Its gonna be good to see a new flag beyond left field.

I won't be there.

And oh, **** you!

duncan_idaho · 04-04-2015, 09:16 PM

Hitting Moustakas second at the expense of Alex Gordon's AB total would be absolutely insane.

But Yost doesn't seem to understand how important OBP is out of the 2 slot, so it wouldn't be that surprising.

Great Expectations · 04-04-2015, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Anyone here NOT gonna be at opening day? Its gonna be good to see a new flag beyond left field.

I wouldn't miss it for the world.

ROYC75 · 04-04-2015, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewdog

I said 89 wins the division and I think that's us this year. I think the competitive balance between the Royals, Tigers, Indians and White Sux lowers the winner to a high 80's mark for the division winner. Should be a great race as all 4 of those teams have a chance.

This pretty much sums up how I feel, I will go 1 win more, say 90 wins. We have to have a better W/L record against the Tigers this year!

The Central is so insanely tight with those 4 teams, it's really anybody's guess. I would not be surprised to see those 3 teams come down to the last day and all 4 within 3 games of each other.

**alnorth** · 04-05-2015, 12:01 AM

Just watched the end of the Wild Card game again.

I'm not old yet, but I was there, and I think there's a very good chance that game could end up being the greatest game I will ever see at the K.

**ChiTown** · 04-05-2015, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Tell me this is a joke.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...e17395745.html

Moose is the classic 2-hole guy. You know, that rare combo of not being able to make consistent contact combined with a real lack of speed. It just screams "bat me 2nd, NED!"

WhitiE · 04-05-2015, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Anyone here NOT gonna be at opening day? Its gonna be good to see a new flag beyond left field.

Can't friggin wait!

Al Bundy · 04-05-2015, 07:02 AM

I'll be there. My first opening day ever.

**Bufkin** · 04-05-2015, 07:17 AM

I will be there with my wife. Our 11th Opening Day in a row. 120 dollars each for HyVee seats. ****ing bandwagoners. Seems like yesterday I was at at the 06 opening day buying tickets from a scalper for the cash equivalent of an Olive Garden entree.

Hootie · 04-05-2015, 08:08 AM

I like moose at 2. Kick start him with confidence. It may do wonders

duncan_idaho · 04-05-2015, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

I like moose at 2. Kick start him with confidence. It may do wonders

Not when you're sacrificing at-bats by your best hitter to do it. Batting Gordon 6th instead of 2nd would be an absolute travesty.

You're also placing a pair of sub .300 OBP guys, career, at the top of your lineup. Or exactly the opposite of what you want.

**lewdog** · 04-05-2015, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Not when you're sacrificing at-bats by your best hitter to do it. Batting Gordon 6th instead of 2nd would be an absolute travesty.

You're also placing a pair of sub .300 OBP guys, career, at the top of your lineup. Or exactly the opposite of what you want.

It makes no sense, which is why it will work.

/Ned Yost

**SAUTO** · 04-05-2015, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Anyone here NOT gonna be at opening day? Its gonna be good to see a new flag beyond left field.

I won't be, will be at Wednesday's game

WhawhaWhat · 04-05-2015, 11:08 AM

I'm going Wednesday and Friday nights. I despise opening day at the K. Too many drunk morons that couldn't care less about the game.

04-04-2015, 09:25 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1840308	* Official 2015 Royals Repository * 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!
Posts: 21,051

04-04-2015, 09:16 PM	#63
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1840308	Hitting Moustakas second at the expense of Alex Gordon's AB total would be absolutely insane. But Yost doesn't seem to understand how important OBP is out of the 2 slot, so it wouldn't be that surprising. __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 21,051

04-05-2015, 12:01 AM	#66
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57176239	Just watched the end of the Wild Card game again. I'm not old yet, but I was there, and I think there's a very good chance that game could end up being the greatest game I will ever see at the K. __________________ how many emo kids does it take to change a lightbulb? HOW MANY?! none they just sit in the dark and cry
Posts: 36,130

04-05-2015, 07:02 AM	#69
Al Bundy Damnit Peg Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5401831	I'll be there. My first opening day ever.
Posts: 23,315

04-05-2015, 08:08 AM	#71
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	I like moose at 2. Kick start him with confidence. It may do wonders
Posts: 56,356

04-05-2015, 11:08 AM	#75
WhawhaWhat MVP Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $1671116	I'm going Wednesday and Friday nights. I despise opening day at the K. Too many drunk morons that couldn't care less about the game.
Posts: 17,171