The Royals

[mocat]

some people (i do not count myself as one of them) prefer a 35-game pod.
the royals have shown remarkable consistency in their 35-game pods:

1: W 20-15
2: W 20-15

[mocat]

all day long i hear from people: "mocat, how do the 2024 royals stack up so far against the two greatest teams in franchise history (2014 & 2015)?"

here is a comparo after 70 games (run differential in parentheses)

2014: 38-32 (+18)
2015: 42-28 (+55)
2024: 40-30 (+60)

even after getting embarrassed a couple times at the hands of the yankees, that run differential is very, very good. plenty of reason to believe they should be the favorite for the #1 wild card spot

[sys]

this is nine game pod country, mocat.  with good, god-fearing, nine game pod-loving fans.

[cfbandyman]

all day long i hear from people: "mocat, how do the 2024 royals stack up so far against the two greatest teams in franchise history (2014 & 2015)?"

here is a comparo after 70 games (run differential in parentheses)

2014: 38-32 (+18)
2015: 42-28 (+55)
2024: 40-30 (+60)

even after getting embarrassed a couple times at the hands of the yankees, that run differential is very, very good. plenty of reason to believe they should be the favorite for the #1 wild card spot

It's good to know they'll still on a great pace. I just think against the best teams they are a step or so below. Doesn't at all make them a bad team, just not a great team (or great for this year). Definitely agree they are on a good trajectory for wild card spot #1.

[bucket]

all day long i hear from people: "mocat, how do the 2024 royals stack up so far against the two greatest teams in franchise history (2014 & 2015)?"

here is a comparo after 70 games (run differential in parentheses)

2014: 38-32 (+18)
2015: 42-28 (+55)
2024: 40-30 (+60)

even after getting embarrassed a couple times at the hands of the yankees, that run differential is very, very good. plenty of reason to believe they should be the favorite for the #1 wild card spot

It's good to know they'll still on a great pace. I just think against the best teams they are a step or so below. Doesn't at all make them a bad team, just not a great team (or great for this year). Definitely agree they are on a good trajectory for wild card spot #1.

There are reports that JJ is itching to make a move, and by reports I mean JJ has said this himself. Upgrade a couple positions and hopefully that closes the gap.

[ChiComCat]

All the wild card spots are making it a little harder to find value as a buyer at the deadline

[Stupid Fitz]

Bump in the road or regression to where they probably should be at this stage?

[wetwillie]

I'm going to need a pod record update

[cfbandyman]

Bump in the road or regression to where they probably should be at this stage?

I mean playing a bunch of first place and teams above .500 was going to test this team. I think again while they have done ok, not terrible, not great  I said all the way back here this:

5 pods in and this team still on pace to win ~100 games. Whoa.

It's incredible given last year. Like part of me still is waiting for the bottom to fall out, but like, they have proven themselves now over 47 games, it's not a small sample size at all.

I am though very curious once this A's series is done what will happen between now and then the next A's series in a month, as the next opponents are all basically .500 or better baseball teams (Padres only one below .500 by a game). It's Detroit, @Minny, SD, @Cleveland, Seattle, Yankees, @Dodgers. If they end up over 500 over that entire span I can't see how they won't be in the playoffs as most of those teams are playoffs contenders themselves.

They ended 12-13 in the series from Detroit to Dodgers. Though losing a series to the A's after than isn't ideal. If they get back to beating meh to bad teams like the Rangers and the Marlins then they are probably ok but they are going to need to build it back a bit. They then got a huge 4 game series vs Cleveland that could make or break a stab at first place.

They then got 5 very winnable games vs Colorado and the Cards.

[Stupid Fitz]

Bump in the road or regression to where they probably should be at this stage?

I mean playing a bunch of first place and teams above .500 was going to test this team. I think again while they have done ok, not terrible, not great  I said all the way back here this:

5 pods in and this team still on pace to win ~100 games. Whoa.

It's incredible given last year. Like part of me still is waiting for the bottom to fall out, but like, they have proven themselves now over 47 games, it's not a small sample size at all.

I am though very curious once this A's series is done what will happen between now and then the next A's series in a month, as the next opponents are all basically .500 or better baseball teams (Padres only one below .500 by a game). It's Detroit, @Minny, SD, @Cleveland, Seattle, Yankees, @Dodgers. If they end up over 500 over that entire span I can't see how they won't be in the playoffs as most of those teams are playoffs contenders themselves.

They ended 12-13 in the series from Detroit to Dodgers. Though losing a series to the A's after than isn't ideal. If they get back to beating meh to bad teams like the Rangers and the Marlins then they are probably ok but they are going to need to build it back a bit. They then got a huge 4 game series vs Cleveland that could make or break a stab at first place.

They then got 5 very winnable games vs Colorado and the Cards.

Sound logic. I'm just worried about the pitching. I said a while back that there was no way the pitching could keep this pace and I'm hoping the bottom isn't really going to fall out behind Lugo and Ragans. They just don't have the system to go out and get starting pitching so these guys need to hold out so they can try and get a bat and some bullpen pieces instead.

[CHONGS]

I'm glad the Quarterican is getting to show the world he's a quality starter.

Maybe you guys would be interested in Severino?  I just don't see him not getting moved.

[sys]

ah well.  it made for a pleasant spring.  but it's summer now.

[cfbandyman]

Yeah, officially in fade alert

[Stupid Fitz]

[Phil Titola]

I don't think we are going to buy or sell this year. I don't think we have enough chips to get anybody worth making a material difference.

[Stupid Fitz]

I don't think we are going to buy or sell this year. I don't think we have enough chips to get anybody worth making a material difference.

While I agree with your assessment, they are absolutely going to go out and get something. The optics of a perpetual 100 loss team that either has or is sitting close to a playoff spot not doing anything at the deadline will be pretty bad.

[mocat]

pace check after the first (9) 9-game pods, aka the mid-point of the usa baseball szn

2014:
42-39
+12 run diff
5-4 pod record

2015:
48-33
+56 run diff
7-2 pod record

2024:
43-38
+44 run diff
5-4 pod record

[Stupid Fitz]

pace check after the first (9) 9-game pods, aka the mid-point of the usa baseball szn

2014:
42-39
+12 run diff
5-4 pod record

2015:
48-33
+56 run diff
7-2 pod record

2024:
43-38
+44 run diff
5-4 pod record

Yep, they are going to make some moves, it will just be interesting to see what they can get. They have like 2 bats in the low minors that may bring something, but prob not much. They also can't afford to give up their only 2 bats in the system. Dayton left the system absolutely void of anything so it's going to be real hard for them to get much in return. They need a legit arm for the bullpen which won't be cheap plus maybe another and a freaking outfield bat that can hit above .200.

It almost seems impossible to have lost 100 or so games for this many years in a row and to have this awful of a farm system, but DM and maybe JJ really pulled it off.

[sys]

i know they will, but i hope they don't go buy some players.  it's been a fun ride, but this team isn't that good and i'd rather not see them trade anyone that might have some future value.

[cfbandyman]

Will take the win

[cfbandyman]

 

[DaBigTrain]

Wow we are really good you guys!

[wetwillie]

I hope the royals stick it right in sys fat face and buy some players

[sys]

three of four from cleveland is pretty nice.  lugo is what everyone said ragans would be.

[cfbandyman]

Yeah, pretty big series win. Now they new to win each series to the all star break and see where that lands them