Game of the Week: September 22: DET @ KC

[Commissioner Erick]

Detroit Tigers (90-65) @ Kansas City (85-70)


DET: Michael Mader (9-5, 4.24)
KC: Tyler Alexander (9-10, 3.77)


The Kansas City Royals lost three of four to the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy. They still control their own destiny, leading the second Wild Card by 1.5 games, but will need a strong week to hold off Chicago.

The Royals will begin that week by facing off against the division-leading Detroit Tigers for the Game of the Week.

One of Kansas City’s strengths these past few years has been its bullpen. However, that pen is not at full strength as the Royals are dealing with several injuries. Addison Reed is dealing with a dead arm and Chance Adams is on the IL with a strained triceps.

Along with injuries to the back of the rotation, it’s led to a number of lesser arms filling roles. Aaron Nola has a 4.91 ERA, Toshiya Okada has a 6.23 ERA, and Nick Vespi has a 5.79 ERA after spending most of the year injured with a fractured elbow. Jonathan DeLay has allowed runs in five of his past nine outings, and Tylor Lyons has a 13.50 ERA in September. With a weakened bullpen, Kansas City will need its starters to go deep.

Tyler Alexander will get the start against his old team. He hasn’t pitched more than 6 innings since August 2, but Kansas City may need 6 innings at least this week. The reason he hasn’t gone deep isn’t because of poor performance. He’s allowed more than two earned runs only once since July. Kansas City is just conservative with starters going deep. Alexander doesn’t walk hitters, and doesn’t give up many homers, which will help give the Royals length.

They’ll face a Tigers team that is guaranteed to play at least a play-in game this year. With two more wins this year, they’ll win the AL Central and play in the ALDS for the first time in their history. Their rotation is lined up nicely for the playoffs. They likely just need one win in this four-game series with the Royals to clinch.

Many Tigers have struggled relative to their 2024 performances, but one player has put together a torrid September to make sure the Tigers win the division: Dan Vogelbach. The big slugger had been on five teams in four seasons from 2021-2024 before returning to Detroit this year. His 2023 with Detroit was the only year since 2021 that he produced positive WAR. As a hulking First Baseman/Designated Hitter, he needed to produce with his bat to provide value, but he didn’t put up a slugging percentage above .400 since 2021 with the Padres. He seemed destined to be a guy getting at bats for a 100-loss team, or maybe Triple-A depth for a contender. Instead, he’s put up a career-high 28 home runs, eight so far in September, and has been a big slugger for a team that’s needed more power. Vogelbach is hitting .424 in September and had RBIs in 12 of 13 games recently to pace the Tigers.

Vogelbach was a minor league signing in March after he was cut by the Pirates last July, and now he may be the second best offensive player on a division winner hosting a playoff game.


Questions for the GMs:


For Taylor Bettencourt, what gave you the notion that Vogelbach would be a player worth signing, let alone a player being a key offensive slugger for your club?

Are you going to rest any starters this week?

How has Allen Cordoba fit in for you since you gave him your starting Third Base gig?

For Daniel Kent, how has Jorge Vargas looked in his cameo. Will you play him today?

Why hasn’t Tyler Alexander gone beyond 6 innings the last two months?

Tyler Lyons has struggled in September. Have you thought of reducing his role and removing him from high-leverage situations?


TRIVIA: Carlos Martinez has a 2.96 ERA. Who is the only other pitcher with 1000 career innings and an ERA under 3?

[kcgm]

1. I am very encouraged by Vargas's MLB performance so far. Despite poor overall stats (.175/.333/.300) the sample size is very small and his elite plate discipline and K/BB ratio (9/9 current/potential rating with a career .425 minor league OBP) has clearly translated as he already has 9 BBs to just 10 Ks in 51 plate appearances. His last game was the best of his young career as he went 2 for 4 with a double and his first career HR. We believe he is adjusting to major league pitching and has gotten a bit unlucky with a .200 BABIP, but are unfazed in our belief that he is the prince that was promised. Even if he does not perform in terms of traditional statistics for the rest of the season Vargas has not shown us anything that would temper our optimism for his career going forward. In terms of playing today, assuming Detroit's projected starter Michael Mader, a lefty, does in fact take the mound, Vargas will be our starting DH. He is splitting time with Pavin Smith against righties but starting full time against lefties.

2. To be blunt: because our manager bot is dumb. I've wanted Alexander to go deeper into games, he's had a 105 pitch limit with a slower hook all season yet never seems to be allowed to get beyond 90 or 95 pitches. I've given him an even slower hook for this start (even before this was brought up in GOTW) with him being hot and the relative weakness of our pen with Reed out. I'm crossing my fingers that this has an effect but am not counting on it; I have made many tweaks to different SP's hooks and pitch counts for a long time while seeing minimal effect in their usage.

3. I have been keeping a close eye on Lyons for awhile; his ratings have declined precipitously this season and I have been concerned about his performance similarly dropping off a cliff. Fortunately despite a slight drop off, that has not happened (3.59 ERA/3.41 FIP) and with Addison Reed injured and none of my main relief options behind Lyons (Jonathan DeLay: 4.33 ERA/3.94 FIP, Chase Johnson: 3.68 ERA/4.10 FIP, Jose Torres: 3.72 ERA/4.15 FIP ) having been all that impressive Lyons has kept his high leverage role. In terms of this week Lyons will stay where he is despite his rough September so far as it's been a very small sample size (5.1 innings) and his peripheral stats are still good (8 Ks/1 BB/1 HR).

If we are fortunate enough to hold on and make the postseason we will hopefully be getting Addison Reed back, in which case he and all-star rookie Joe Shilts will be taking the highest leverage innings with Lyons as the 3rd RP behind them.

[taylortigers]

For Taylor Bettencourt, what gave you the notion that Vogelbach would be a player worth signing, let alone a player being a key offensive slugger for your club?


Well I needed a platoon at DH and I waited until the preseason to make that signing since every free agent asks for too much money. I knew had success with me in a previous season, so I took a chance on him. Low risk, high reward.


Are you going to rest any starters this week?

As of now, I am not going to rest anyone. But, I may create some more platoons and alter pitch counts.


How has Allen Cordoba fit in for you since you gave him your starting Third Base gig?


He's been what I expected. I just needed someone who could have a good game every once in a while and provide good defense.

[Commissioner Erick]

Aaron correctly guessed Noah Syndergaard.

[Commissioner Erick]

Tigers 7 - Royals 1


WP: M. Mader (10-5)
LP: T. Alexander (9-11)


The Detroit Tigers got a stellar performance from pitcher Michael Mader, who handcuffed the Kansas City offense en route to a win, 7-1, at Kauffman Stadium. Detroit, at 91-65, is 6 games up in the American League Central Division.

Detroit relied on the hitting of Anthony Rizzo to pick up the win. The first baseman clubbed a solo home run in the top of the second inning to put the Tigers on top, 1-0. For the game, Rizzo had 1 home run and 2 singles in 4 at-bats.

"Nice to tuck this win away," said Mader.


Questions for the GMs:


For Taylor Bettencourt, Mader was tremendous. There was some question as to whether he'd be on the playoff roster. Did this question answer that for you?

You had a bit of a disappointing season with players underperforming and Carlos Martinez' injury. With this win clinching at least a share of the division, how do you feel about the job you did getting this team to be a division winner?

DeMario Pacheco went 0-5 with two strikeouts. What will his role be this postseason?

For Daniel Kent, Joey Kent went 0-4 and is now hitting .244. What role will he have in the playoffs?

Aaron Nola gave up five hits in 2.1 innings. How confident are you in him as a long man?

Xavier Edwards god the day off. Why do you have him sitting against lefties?


TRIVIA: Carlos Martinez has 48 career WAR. Who is the only pitcher with more career WAR?

[Commissioner Erick]

Ben correctly guessed Stroman

[kcgm]

1. Who is Joey Kent? Lol

2. I am not super confident in Nola; he has missed a lot of time this season with injuries, though his peripherals have been solid he has given up some runs and I don't think he's ready for the playoffs after only pitching 22.2 MLB innings on the year. Unfortunately at this point I am not sure I have a better option, possibly Jonathan DeLay though he might end up in more of a middle RP role.

3. Edwards has never been able to hit lefties for his career. I had been platooning him with Joey "Kent" Young and using Edwards as a defensive replacement and middle infielder against left handed pitching. Young, having great numbers in AAA against lefties this season and being a right handed hitter, seemed like a better option at the plate. Unfortunately this has not quite worked out as hoped, Young has hit for power but after a hot ML start has not gotten on base at a high enough rate. We are still hopeful that in the long run with a bit more seasoning Young can be a solid utility infielder and platoon option against left handed pitching and can be paired with either Edwards or 2B Gavin Lux (who also has never handled lefty pitching well), but for these playoffs we may just bite the bullet and start one of Edwards or Lux against left handed starters, resigning ourselves to a black hole in the lineup in exchange for either's far superior glove.

[Commissioner Erick]

Apr 3, 2021 14:35:34 GMT -5 kcgm said:

1. Who is Joey Kent? Lol

2. I am not super confident in Nola; he has missed a lot of time this season with injuries, though his peripherals have been solid he has given up some runs and I don't think he's ready for the playoffs after only pitching 22.2 MLB innings on the year. Unfortunately at this point I am not sure I have a better option, possibly Jonathan DeLay though he might end up in more of a middle RP role.

3. Edwards has never been able to hit lefties for his career. I had been platooning him with Joey "Kent" Young and using Edwards as a defensive replacement and middle infielder against left handed pitching. Young, having great numbers in AAA against lefties this season and being a right handed hitter, seemed like a better option at the plate. Unfortunately this has not quite worked out as hoped, Young has hit for power but after a hot ML start has not gotten on base at a high enough rate. We are still hopeful that in the long run with a bit more seasoning Young can be a solid utility infielder and platoon option against left handed pitching and can be paired with either Edwards or 2B Gavin Lux (who also has never handled lefty pitching well), but for these playoffs we may just bite the bullet and start one of Edwards or Lux against left handed starters, resigning ourselves to a black hole in the lineup in exchange for either's far superior glove.

Joey Young! Sorry!

[taylortigers]

For Taylor Bettencourt, Mader was tremendous. There was some question as to whether he'd be on the playoff roster. Did this question answer that for you?


Definitely. I knew he would be in my postseason roster and with Matt Manning out for a couple of months, Mader has solidified his spot.


You had a bit of a disappointing season with players underperforming and Carlos Martinez' injury. With this win clinching at least a share of the division, how do you feel about the job you did getting this team to be a division winner?


I have been very impressed by my pitching staff. My starting rotation isn't elite, but my bullpen may be. They have been fantastic. Except for Hunter Barco who just can't seem to figure out major league hitting.


DeMario Pacheco went 0-5 with two strikeouts. What will his role be this postseason?

I like him as a platoon against LHP. But he can be a good bat off the bench.