**Official Royals vs. Phillies 4/7 Gamethread** AKA Vengeance Game

[CaliforniaChief]

Alrighty, we took our first heartbreaker last night.

The Phillies walked their way to a walk-off. Time to brush it off, forget about it, win this God-forsaken series, and go home with a .500 road trip.

Time for Big Game James to earn that name and outduel Hamels.

Let's. Do. This.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Pulling Holland today was a desperation move that luckily worked out for Yost (if it hadn't, there would be calls for his head - just like there would have been yesterday if he had put in Gutierrez or Chen and lost the game).[/I]

Desperation move or a learning moment from yesterday's bad decision to leave him in too long ? I don't think for a moment it was a desperation move at all. It was a 'common sense' move not to "rinse and repeat" another self-inflicted loss on the team. A learning moment because he found out he has other pitchers that can possibly fill the void in the late innings while Holland continues to find his mojo/groove. I have nothing against Holland at all and hope that he turns it around. But Yost realized much sooner today that Holland didn't have it and made the right decision pulling him regardless win or lose today.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by The God Hypothesis

Reliever or closer? I ask because the closer role takes a certain amount of testicular fortitude and "grit". Holland has two plus pitches just like Herrera does, but Hollands are fb slider, where as Herreras are fb change. If you examine further, you will see that Herrera also mixes in a cb, where as holland used to use a splitter, but now is almost predominantly a fb slider guy.

I find this interesting because I often hear the reason Herrera shouldn't be the closer is because he only has two pitches. (Yes I know that's plenty, but it's an argument people use to discredit Herrera as a bonafide closer)

Either way, Herrera is just so overpowering that even w/o the recent struggles of Holland you would have to consider swapping their roles. IMO Holland will be just fine, but that doesn't change the fact the alternative is a higher percentage play atm.

Damn right it does, you got to 'want the ball' when all the chips are on the table and your team must trust you and you must trust your team to get it done.
Good analysis on your part and hopefully Yost will think outside more of the box with his bullpen for now as I said earlier until Holland finds his mojo.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by petegz28

WTF is with leadoff wlaks in the 9th???

Lew and Dunkin donuts are fine with them apparently

[Mother****erJones]

Did you guys notice how similar Cole Hamels looks to Matt Cassel? They look alike