Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 31, 2022 17:39:08 GMT -5
Kansas City Royals (64-60) @ Houston Astros (55-69)
KC: Vincente Corado (7-3, 2.91)
HOU: Jeff Morrison (12-3, 3.19)
Royals 3 Key Stats:
3: The number of times in their last 16 games Kansas City has scored more than 3 runs: The Royals offense has fallen apart in August. The team did okay against Chicago and Toronto early in the month, but has fallen apart the last two-and-a-half weeks. The team has gone 6-10 despite their offensive ineptitude. It’s a testament to the team’s pitching that things haven’t been worse. The club has won a pair of 1-0 games, as well as a pair of extra-inning wins. For the team to make the playoffs, the offense simply needs to pick up.
2.91: Vincente Corado’s ERA: Lost in Kansas City’s offensive struggles, the team’s pitching has been good and Corado has been great. Corado’s been a bit wilder this year compared to his rookie season, but he’s cut his home rate by a third and his strikeout rate is close to 30% and would be third in the league if he qualified. Corado allowed just two runs, one earned, in 6 innings his last start against Houston and is looking for another excellent start today.
.169: Jorge Vargas’s August Batting Average: Kansas City has gone through offensive droughts in the past, but has had Jorge Vargas there to pick the team up. Vargas had 55 doubles and 44 homers two seasons ago with a .308 average. He hit .295 and had 43 doubles with 33 homers last year. This year, the home run power is still there, but the doubles and average are way down. Without Vargas playing at an MVP level, when the supporting cast has struggled, the offense has gone into the tank.
Astros 3 Key Stats:
12: Wins for Jeff Morrison: Houston’s staff has struggled this year, but Morrison isn’t to blame. He’s 12-3 with a 3.19 ERA. Two more wins would set a career high, and the ERA would be a career best by far. Morrison continues to keep the ball in the park and his walk rate is a career best 5.15%. Only Ernesto Ortega has more AL pitching WAR than Morrison as the 26-year-old officially becomes a star.
.786: Andy Gleason’s OPS: Gleason is showing the PBA that one can be a productive hitter without any power. Gleason has a strong .327 average and has 13 doubles and a pair of triples in about a quarter season’s worth of at bats. Gleason’s surprisingly hammered righties this year, and he’s stolen a few bases and played good defense to boot. Gleason has just turned 26 and is doing his part to be a starting Second Baseman in the PBA.
.294: Casey Gillaspie’s OBP: We may be nearing the end of the road for the two-time Platinum Stick winner. Gillaspie still has some over-the-fence pop with nine homers, but with a .184 average and six doubles, his slugging percentage is .324. Gillaspie’s solid 12.7% walk rate hasn’t been able to boost an average that low, and his 26.1% strikeout rate is a career worst. Gillaspie’s had rough years before and has found a way to land on his feet, but he’s 36-years old now. He’s not under contract for next year with a vesting option that likely won’t vest, and it feels like his days as a PBA contributor may be over.
Questions for the GMs:
For Daniel Kent, any changes to the lineup today with the offense struggling?
Jeff Morrison keeps the ball in the park, throws strikes, but doesn’t generate a lot of strikeouts. Will you try to be active on the bases to attack him?
What’s the key to holding the Houston lineup in check?
For Neil Ehm, Jorge Vargas is a dangerous hitter, but one who is really struggling. Do you want to see Morrison attack him or pitch carefully to him and go after the rest of the lineup?
What have you thought of Andy Gleason’s season and his prospects for next season?
Will you look to resign Jorge Cotto in the offseason or let him move on?
TRIVIA: Two Astros have led the league in Wins. Who are they?
KC: Vincente Corado (7-3, 2.91)
HOU: Jeff Morrison (12-3, 3.19)
Royals 3 Key Stats:
3: The number of times in their last 16 games Kansas City has scored more than 3 runs: The Royals offense has fallen apart in August. The team did okay against Chicago and Toronto early in the month, but has fallen apart the last two-and-a-half weeks. The team has gone 6-10 despite their offensive ineptitude. It’s a testament to the team’s pitching that things haven’t been worse. The club has won a pair of 1-0 games, as well as a pair of extra-inning wins. For the team to make the playoffs, the offense simply needs to pick up.
2.91: Vincente Corado’s ERA: Lost in Kansas City’s offensive struggles, the team’s pitching has been good and Corado has been great. Corado’s been a bit wilder this year compared to his rookie season, but he’s cut his home rate by a third and his strikeout rate is close to 30% and would be third in the league if he qualified. Corado allowed just two runs, one earned, in 6 innings his last start against Houston and is looking for another excellent start today.
.169: Jorge Vargas’s August Batting Average: Kansas City has gone through offensive droughts in the past, but has had Jorge Vargas there to pick the team up. Vargas had 55 doubles and 44 homers two seasons ago with a .308 average. He hit .295 and had 43 doubles with 33 homers last year. This year, the home run power is still there, but the doubles and average are way down. Without Vargas playing at an MVP level, when the supporting cast has struggled, the offense has gone into the tank.
Astros 3 Key Stats:
12: Wins for Jeff Morrison: Houston’s staff has struggled this year, but Morrison isn’t to blame. He’s 12-3 with a 3.19 ERA. Two more wins would set a career high, and the ERA would be a career best by far. Morrison continues to keep the ball in the park and his walk rate is a career best 5.15%. Only Ernesto Ortega has more AL pitching WAR than Morrison as the 26-year-old officially becomes a star.
.786: Andy Gleason’s OPS: Gleason is showing the PBA that one can be a productive hitter without any power. Gleason has a strong .327 average and has 13 doubles and a pair of triples in about a quarter season’s worth of at bats. Gleason’s surprisingly hammered righties this year, and he’s stolen a few bases and played good defense to boot. Gleason has just turned 26 and is doing his part to be a starting Second Baseman in the PBA.
.294: Casey Gillaspie’s OBP: We may be nearing the end of the road for the two-time Platinum Stick winner. Gillaspie still has some over-the-fence pop with nine homers, but with a .184 average and six doubles, his slugging percentage is .324. Gillaspie’s solid 12.7% walk rate hasn’t been able to boost an average that low, and his 26.1% strikeout rate is a career worst. Gillaspie’s had rough years before and has found a way to land on his feet, but he’s 36-years old now. He’s not under contract for next year with a vesting option that likely won’t vest, and it feels like his days as a PBA contributor may be over.
Questions for the GMs:
For Daniel Kent, any changes to the lineup today with the offense struggling?
Jeff Morrison keeps the ball in the park, throws strikes, but doesn’t generate a lot of strikeouts. Will you try to be active on the bases to attack him?
What’s the key to holding the Houston lineup in check?
For Neil Ehm, Jorge Vargas is a dangerous hitter, but one who is really struggling. Do you want to see Morrison attack him or pitch carefully to him and go after the rest of the lineup?
What have you thought of Andy Gleason’s season and his prospects for next season?
Will you look to resign Jorge Cotto in the offseason or let him move on?
TRIVIA: Two Astros have led the league in Wins. Who are they?