Post by Commissioner Erick on Oct 7, 2019 6:08:53 GMT -5
Kansas City Royals (17-14) @ Texas Rangers (17-14)
KC: Foster Griffin (0-3, 5.40)
TEX: Adonis Medina (3-2, 5.23)
The Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers face off against each other with identical 17-14 records, though each team has to be feeling differently about the mark. The Royals have never won more than 73 games in a year, so this is a new height for them. On the other hand, they've played all but six games against their division, so this will be a chance to see how they stack up and prove themselves against a potential playoff team. Kansas City won't be challenging for the division, so games against out-of-division playoff contenders take on extra importance. Meanwhile, Texas hasn't played up to its standards, which has to be disappointing. That said, they're still 17-14, tied with Oakland a game behind Seattle for the AL West. There's a sense the team should be better than it's been, and the possibility for a division crown this year. It should culminate in a fun match between two clubs, one trying to find itself, and one trying to prove itself.
Players to Watch
Royals
RP: Hansel Robles:
Robles was demoted from his closer job in Arizona, and wasn't resigned by the Diamondbacks. Kansas City picked him on a reasonable one-year contract, and after a shaky start, Robles has pitched well. He's allowed only one run in his last eight appearances, including a strong inning yesterday, retiring two men with a runner on second to preserve a tie-game against Detroit. When Joshua Lowe hit an RBI single to give Kansas City the lead, and Max Povse closed things out, Robles was credited with the win. Robles still needs to keep the walks in check, but when he's not putting guys on, he's one of the better relievers in the league.
SP Gabriel Ynoa:
Ynoa almost certainly won't appear today, but you never know. He's gone 4-0, and is a huge reason for Kansas City's winning record this year. He's worked quality starts in his last four outings, and is coming off a Saturday win, when he worked 6.2 innings of two-run ball against Detroit. Ynoa's a control-pitcher through-and-through, and survives by limiting walks and relying on his defense. Kansas City's top-rated zone defense helps out with that, though Texas' extreme run environment may make it tough for Ynoa to prosper.
LF: Mallex Smith:
Smith was acquired in a trade for Nicky Lopes and has really struggled this year. Smith is a speed demon, and gets his value from his good, though not exceptional defense, and his ability to steal bases. His hitting value is completely dependent on his ability to run a high average. 2019 and 2021 were his best years, and he hit .280 and .291 during those campaigns. He hit .261 in 2020, playing in roughly half of Tampa Bay's games, and was able to be a useful player with that level of production as well. He was sub-replacement with a .189 average in 2018, and is .181 now. Smith has value with his legs and his glove, but he needs to get his average up to .260 to more than a dead plate appearance.
Rangers
RP: Bruce Rondon:
Rondon has long been a big walk, big strikeout reliever who has gotten results, but his time in Texas has seen the walks elevate to an extreme amount. His home run rate has ticked up as well, making him a big-risk, big-reward type arm. The Royals are one of the more patient teams in the league, and strike out only at an average rate. Considering Rondon pitches better against righties than lefties, and Manny Margot is the only pure-righty Kansas City employs, Rondon may not see much work today or over the course of the series.
SS: Carlos Correa:
Outside of his MVP season in 2019, Correa has been one of the league's most consistent stars, spending the other three of his four years operating within a narrow band of offensive production. His time in Texas has bucked the trend as Correa hasn't adjusted well to the change in uniform. He's coming off a week where he went 7-30, with one extra base hit, two walks, and five strikeouts. It's been that kind of start for Correa, as nothing much has happened. Texas' offense has been surprisingly mediocre, and could really use Correa to hit more like the 30-home run bat he is.
C: Francisco Mejia:
Mejia's awful start may be the most surprising in baseball. A two-time batting champion who has increased his walk rate every season, it's almost unfathomable to see La Cabra batting only .252. Mejia's isolated slugging has dipped since 2018, so the one home run is within the realm of comprehension, but Mejia's been one of the most prolific offensive bats in baseball. Mejia does have a hit in seven of his last eight games, so perhaps the Royals will be facing him as he's breaking out of his slump.
TRIVIA: Francisco Mejia is third in career WBC RBI with 23, while Bryce Harper is first with 26. Which fellow Dominican sits in second with 24 RBI?
KC: Foster Griffin (0-3, 5.40)
TEX: Adonis Medina (3-2, 5.23)
The Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers face off against each other with identical 17-14 records, though each team has to be feeling differently about the mark. The Royals have never won more than 73 games in a year, so this is a new height for them. On the other hand, they've played all but six games against their division, so this will be a chance to see how they stack up and prove themselves against a potential playoff team. Kansas City won't be challenging for the division, so games against out-of-division playoff contenders take on extra importance. Meanwhile, Texas hasn't played up to its standards, which has to be disappointing. That said, they're still 17-14, tied with Oakland a game behind Seattle for the AL West. There's a sense the team should be better than it's been, and the possibility for a division crown this year. It should culminate in a fun match between two clubs, one trying to find itself, and one trying to prove itself.
Players to Watch
Royals
RP: Hansel Robles:
Robles was demoted from his closer job in Arizona, and wasn't resigned by the Diamondbacks. Kansas City picked him on a reasonable one-year contract, and after a shaky start, Robles has pitched well. He's allowed only one run in his last eight appearances, including a strong inning yesterday, retiring two men with a runner on second to preserve a tie-game against Detroit. When Joshua Lowe hit an RBI single to give Kansas City the lead, and Max Povse closed things out, Robles was credited with the win. Robles still needs to keep the walks in check, but when he's not putting guys on, he's one of the better relievers in the league.
SP Gabriel Ynoa:
Ynoa almost certainly won't appear today, but you never know. He's gone 4-0, and is a huge reason for Kansas City's winning record this year. He's worked quality starts in his last four outings, and is coming off a Saturday win, when he worked 6.2 innings of two-run ball against Detroit. Ynoa's a control-pitcher through-and-through, and survives by limiting walks and relying on his defense. Kansas City's top-rated zone defense helps out with that, though Texas' extreme run environment may make it tough for Ynoa to prosper.
LF: Mallex Smith:
Smith was acquired in a trade for Nicky Lopes and has really struggled this year. Smith is a speed demon, and gets his value from his good, though not exceptional defense, and his ability to steal bases. His hitting value is completely dependent on his ability to run a high average. 2019 and 2021 were his best years, and he hit .280 and .291 during those campaigns. He hit .261 in 2020, playing in roughly half of Tampa Bay's games, and was able to be a useful player with that level of production as well. He was sub-replacement with a .189 average in 2018, and is .181 now. Smith has value with his legs and his glove, but he needs to get his average up to .260 to more than a dead plate appearance.
Rangers
RP: Bruce Rondon:
Rondon has long been a big walk, big strikeout reliever who has gotten results, but his time in Texas has seen the walks elevate to an extreme amount. His home run rate has ticked up as well, making him a big-risk, big-reward type arm. The Royals are one of the more patient teams in the league, and strike out only at an average rate. Considering Rondon pitches better against righties than lefties, and Manny Margot is the only pure-righty Kansas City employs, Rondon may not see much work today or over the course of the series.
SS: Carlos Correa:
Outside of his MVP season in 2019, Correa has been one of the league's most consistent stars, spending the other three of his four years operating within a narrow band of offensive production. His time in Texas has bucked the trend as Correa hasn't adjusted well to the change in uniform. He's coming off a week where he went 7-30, with one extra base hit, two walks, and five strikeouts. It's been that kind of start for Correa, as nothing much has happened. Texas' offense has been surprisingly mediocre, and could really use Correa to hit more like the 30-home run bat he is.
C: Francisco Mejia:
Mejia's awful start may be the most surprising in baseball. A two-time batting champion who has increased his walk rate every season, it's almost unfathomable to see La Cabra batting only .252. Mejia's isolated slugging has dipped since 2018, so the one home run is within the realm of comprehension, but Mejia's been one of the most prolific offensive bats in baseball. Mejia does have a hit in seven of his last eight games, so perhaps the Royals will be facing him as he's breaking out of his slump.
TRIVIA: Francisco Mejia is third in career WBC RBI with 23, while Bryce Harper is first with 26. Which fellow Dominican sits in second with 24 RBI?
