Post by Commissioner Erick on Mar 10, 2020 18:38:54 GMT -5
Tampa Bay Rays (22-16) @ Kansas City Royals (26-15)
TB: Blake Snell (5-1, 3.12)
KC: Tyler Alexander (2-2, 2.72)
The Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals have both gotten off to good starts, each within easy striking distance of their divisions. Each has a good offense and a very good defense, though the stat the clubs rank one-two in is stolen bases.
The Rays will need their speed as star outfielder Jake Bauers, who is hitting .350 with 28 RBIs in the early going, is dealing with a strained abdomen. If they can't rely on his brilliant hitting, they're still the top team in stolen bases. Former Royal Yoan Moncada is only hitting .221. However, in true Moncada fashion, he has 11 doubles and a league-leading 13 steals in 13 attempts. Ronald Acuna is another newcomer, and one who normally hits behind Moncada in the lineup. After a down year, his power has returned as he has six home runs so far. He also has a perfect eight stolen bases in eight attempts. That speed, and the efficiency with it, has allowed the Rays to have the best wSB in the league.
Defensively the Rays use that speed to be the second best run prevention team in the AL. They're first in efficiency, fourth in Zone Rating, but dangerously for them, tied for last in the AL in throwing out runners.
That issue could rear its head as the Royals are tied for second in stolen bases in the AL. Joe Rizzo, Patrick Leonard, and Joshua Lowe slug the ball, but the Rays also get opportunistic on the bases. Eight players have a steal, despite nobody having more than Gavin' Lux' four. Kansas City uses their speed for more than steals though, as the team's baserunning runs are the most in the AL.
Defensively, Kansas City has a good infield defense, but a mediocre outfield. More dangerous today, the team Tampa Bay is tied for last with in throwing out runners? The Kansas City Royals. Today's game may hinge on what catcher can throw out more runners trying to steal than anything else.
Questions for the GMs:
For Ryan Morneau, Jake Bauers is dealing with an abdominal issue. Will he play today?
Nick Allen has not looked prepared to hit major league pitching. Will you keep him in the starting lineup?
You have a lot of veteran newcomers to your club. How have they looked to you?
For Daniel Kent, Gavin Lux has a sprained elbow. Will you play him or send him to the IL?
Grant Burton has hit the ball pretty well but has only seven RBIs. How has he looked to you?
Patrick Leonard's beard appears to be a different color than his mustache. Are you cool with that look?
TRIVIA: Who had the most steals on the American League team with the most All-Time steals in a single season?
TB: Blake Snell (5-1, 3.12)
KC: Tyler Alexander (2-2, 2.72)
The Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals have both gotten off to good starts, each within easy striking distance of their divisions. Each has a good offense and a very good defense, though the stat the clubs rank one-two in is stolen bases.
The Rays will need their speed as star outfielder Jake Bauers, who is hitting .350 with 28 RBIs in the early going, is dealing with a strained abdomen. If they can't rely on his brilliant hitting, they're still the top team in stolen bases. Former Royal Yoan Moncada is only hitting .221. However, in true Moncada fashion, he has 11 doubles and a league-leading 13 steals in 13 attempts. Ronald Acuna is another newcomer, and one who normally hits behind Moncada in the lineup. After a down year, his power has returned as he has six home runs so far. He also has a perfect eight stolen bases in eight attempts. That speed, and the efficiency with it, has allowed the Rays to have the best wSB in the league.
Defensively the Rays use that speed to be the second best run prevention team in the AL. They're first in efficiency, fourth in Zone Rating, but dangerously for them, tied for last in the AL in throwing out runners.
That issue could rear its head as the Royals are tied for second in stolen bases in the AL. Joe Rizzo, Patrick Leonard, and Joshua Lowe slug the ball, but the Rays also get opportunistic on the bases. Eight players have a steal, despite nobody having more than Gavin' Lux' four. Kansas City uses their speed for more than steals though, as the team's baserunning runs are the most in the AL.
Defensively, Kansas City has a good infield defense, but a mediocre outfield. More dangerous today, the team Tampa Bay is tied for last with in throwing out runners? The Kansas City Royals. Today's game may hinge on what catcher can throw out more runners trying to steal than anything else.
Questions for the GMs:
For Ryan Morneau, Jake Bauers is dealing with an abdominal issue. Will he play today?
Nick Allen has not looked prepared to hit major league pitching. Will you keep him in the starting lineup?
You have a lot of veteran newcomers to your club. How have they looked to you?
For Daniel Kent, Gavin Lux has a sprained elbow. Will you play him or send him to the IL?
Grant Burton has hit the ball pretty well but has only seven RBIs. How has he looked to you?
Patrick Leonard's beard appears to be a different color than his mustache. Are you cool with that look?
TRIVIA: Who had the most steals on the American League team with the most All-Time steals in a single season?
