Post by Commissioner Erick on Sept 20, 2020 22:35:29 GMT -5
Detroit Tigers (56-32) @ Kansas City Royals (57-34)
DET: Griffin Canning (11-2, 2.74)
KC: Chance Adams (9-3, 2.99)
As the Kansas City Royals have come out of their rebuild, they’ve had to deal with the juggernaut Chicago White Sox and ascendant Minnesota Twins keeping them from AL Central supremacy. This season, despite the team having the best winning percentage in their history, the club still sits in second place as the Detroit Tigers have roared to the AL Central lead.
The two clubs, separated by a half game, will square off in the Game of the Week with the winner leading the Central heading into the weekend.
The Royals have used their success to increase their budget, allowing the club to add slowly to a talented core. Taylor Trammel and Jim Sattler were acquired as youngsters last season, and they’ve grown into key outfielders for the team. Gary Sanchez and J.P. Crawford were also brought on board in trades and they’ve taken the Royals offense to the next level.
On the pitching side, Chance Adams will start today and he’s been a revelation for the team. Adams broke out as a swingman last season in Tampa Bay and has carried the gains over as a full-time starter for the Royals. Adams has retained his strikeout rate as a reliever and still has an excellent home run rate. With a good defense behind him, Adams has a 2.99 ERA. He doesn’t work deep into games, but Kansas City’s short relief is excellent. Addison Reed was an All-Star this year, Alex Colome has a 2.85 ERA, Jose Torres has a 2.64 mark, and Doug Syverson has allowed just one run in 9.2 innings. It’ll be tough for Detroit to score on this staff.
That being said, Detroit does have the second best offense in the league. Raj Anu and Jacob Pearson continued their ascent to stardom, joining Amari Maggette to form an exceptionally talented outfield, perhaps the best in the entire league. Anthony Rizzo joined in Free Agency on an inexpensive deal and is having his best season since 2019. The addition of one more exceptional slugger has elevated the offense into a ferocious unit.
Detroit has also gotten steady progress every season from All-Star Griffin Canning. Canning has an 11-2 mark with a 2.74 ERA. Thankfully for Taylor Bettencourt, he wasn’t actually used in the All Star Game, allowing him to be slotted in as the first arm after the break. Canning was a default All-Star on a wretched 2021 club, but was a genuinely strong arm last year, with a 3.92 ERA and solid peripherals dulled by a 12-11 record. This year, with a better offense and the second best defense in the league, Canning has taken another step. He has an 11-2 record and a 2.74 ERA, both top-five numbers. He continues to be exceptional at avoiding home runs, leading the league in fewest home-runs per nine.
With Canning’s ability to limit home runs and Gary Sanchez’ prodigious career home run totals, it will be fun when those two square off. The All Star Catcher and fourth-best all-time career home run leader is 3-12 lifetime against Canning with one home run.
Questions for the GMs:
For Taylor Bettencourt, are happy with your roster makeup or will you look to make a trade at the deadline?
Garrett Stubbs only has two home runs. Why do you hit him in the middle of your order and not towards the bottom?
Jacob Pearson looks like the total package. Are you disappointed he didn’t make the All Star Game?
For Daniel Kent, Jim Sattler has turned into a tremendous slugger. Did you see that coming?
Pavin Smith has turned into a bit player on your club. Will it be possible for him to get more playing time?
Is there a position on your team you’d like to upgrade at the deadline?
TRIVIA: Of all players drafted after the fifth round, Matthew Annunziata has the second most career home runs with 65. Who is first?
DET: Griffin Canning (11-2, 2.74)
KC: Chance Adams (9-3, 2.99)
As the Kansas City Royals have come out of their rebuild, they’ve had to deal with the juggernaut Chicago White Sox and ascendant Minnesota Twins keeping them from AL Central supremacy. This season, despite the team having the best winning percentage in their history, the club still sits in second place as the Detroit Tigers have roared to the AL Central lead.
The two clubs, separated by a half game, will square off in the Game of the Week with the winner leading the Central heading into the weekend.
The Royals have used their success to increase their budget, allowing the club to add slowly to a talented core. Taylor Trammel and Jim Sattler were acquired as youngsters last season, and they’ve grown into key outfielders for the team. Gary Sanchez and J.P. Crawford were also brought on board in trades and they’ve taken the Royals offense to the next level.
On the pitching side, Chance Adams will start today and he’s been a revelation for the team. Adams broke out as a swingman last season in Tampa Bay and has carried the gains over as a full-time starter for the Royals. Adams has retained his strikeout rate as a reliever and still has an excellent home run rate. With a good defense behind him, Adams has a 2.99 ERA. He doesn’t work deep into games, but Kansas City’s short relief is excellent. Addison Reed was an All-Star this year, Alex Colome has a 2.85 ERA, Jose Torres has a 2.64 mark, and Doug Syverson has allowed just one run in 9.2 innings. It’ll be tough for Detroit to score on this staff.
That being said, Detroit does have the second best offense in the league. Raj Anu and Jacob Pearson continued their ascent to stardom, joining Amari Maggette to form an exceptionally talented outfield, perhaps the best in the entire league. Anthony Rizzo joined in Free Agency on an inexpensive deal and is having his best season since 2019. The addition of one more exceptional slugger has elevated the offense into a ferocious unit.
Detroit has also gotten steady progress every season from All-Star Griffin Canning. Canning has an 11-2 mark with a 2.74 ERA. Thankfully for Taylor Bettencourt, he wasn’t actually used in the All Star Game, allowing him to be slotted in as the first arm after the break. Canning was a default All-Star on a wretched 2021 club, but was a genuinely strong arm last year, with a 3.92 ERA and solid peripherals dulled by a 12-11 record. This year, with a better offense and the second best defense in the league, Canning has taken another step. He has an 11-2 record and a 2.74 ERA, both top-five numbers. He continues to be exceptional at avoiding home runs, leading the league in fewest home-runs per nine.
With Canning’s ability to limit home runs and Gary Sanchez’ prodigious career home run totals, it will be fun when those two square off. The All Star Catcher and fourth-best all-time career home run leader is 3-12 lifetime against Canning with one home run.
Questions for the GMs:
For Taylor Bettencourt, are happy with your roster makeup or will you look to make a trade at the deadline?
Garrett Stubbs only has two home runs. Why do you hit him in the middle of your order and not towards the bottom?
Jacob Pearson looks like the total package. Are you disappointed he didn’t make the All Star Game?
For Daniel Kent, Jim Sattler has turned into a tremendous slugger. Did you see that coming?
Pavin Smith has turned into a bit player on your club. Will it be possible for him to get more playing time?
Is there a position on your team you’d like to upgrade at the deadline?
TRIVIA: Of all players drafted after the fifth round, Matthew Annunziata has the second most career home runs with 65. Who is first?
