Posse 1/4 mark of the season Stat update and analysis breakdown ---
This team had some incredible stats the first 40 games. I'm just going to touch on a few of them. I will start with the offense.
1) Royals are #1 in the A.L. in Batting Ave (.288), SLUG (.433), OPS (.771), Hits (401), 2B (87), Total Bases(603) and HBPs (28)
2) We are 2nd in AL in Runs (202), OBP (.338) & 3B (14)
3) We have the best run Diff. in the majors(+64) and the ALs best home record, 15-6
4) We have 6 guys in the Top 40 in SLUG, 6 of the top 45 guys in OBP, 5 of the Top 35 in OPS, and 4 of Top 15 in Runs scored
Hosmer is a top 3 MVP candidate and could be the front runner because of the team's success. Hos is in the Top 10 in the AL in Hits, RBI, OBP, SLUG, OPS, Runs, 2B. He's 11th in Ave, WAR , & 13th in walks
Cain is top 10 MVP candidate and maybe top 5-6. He leads the AL with a 2.8 WAR and Defensive Runs Saved. He is hitting over .300, Top 5 in AL in Runs Scored.
Moose is having an All-star year. He is top 5 in the AL in Ave, WAR, and Hits.
Morales is the best DH in the AL. He leads AL in 2B, and Top 5 in RBI and Runs
Now to talk about the Pitching/Defense and most specifically about the Bullpen----
1) our team ERA of 3.24 is #1 in the AL, and have allowed 3rd fewest hits
2) Wade Davis has led a 'Pen that has given up a MLB best 1.61
3) Opp are hitting .146 vs Davis, Holland, Herrera, Madson.
4) Volquez (minus the 1 blister start) has an ERA of 2.33 and a WHIP of 0.95
5) we are #1 in MLB in Runs saved and it's not close. We had twice as many as #2 not long ago (still might)
This team has had about 10 games IMO that could have gone either way. Either the game was won/lost late or the game could have gone different if not for a key mistake. We won 7 of these 10 games, which I'm pretty pleased with ---
1) scored 3 in Bot 8th vs Oak and won 4-2 to take series
2) scored 2 in Bot 8th vs Minn and won 6-5
3) Won 2-1 in 10 at Det to win series. Bullpen battled in 9th/10th
4) Won 3-2 in 13 at Chi after the game was tied forever
5) won 7-6 in 10 at Texas. Behind early, we lost lead 3x, but still won
6) we scored 2 in Bot 8 to break tie and won 7-5 over Chi
7) we scored 2 in Bot 8 to break tie and won 6-4 over Oak
3 games we could have won...
1) 6-5 loss at Det. Had a 1 run lead entering 7th and lost. Doesn't happen much. 2 unearned runs late
2) Moose boots DP ball when we were up 2 in 6th. 4 unearned runs costly in 5-3 loss
3) Chi gets walk off run in 9th in 3-2 loss. This was the suspended game. We were up 1 going to Bot 7.
26-14 record to start 2015. This coming off of finishing 41-23 in 2014. 78-41 counting the postseason since losing first 4 gms after AS break.
