Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 27, 2022 12:41:06 GMT -5
Kansas City Royals (43-29) @ Texas Rangers (34-38)
KC: Taylor Lehman (0-0, 0.00)
TEX: Sixto Sanchez (1-6, 7.33)
Royals 5 Key Stats:
8: Wins in Kansas City’s last 19 games: The Royals got off to a good start, but have petered out the last few weeks. They’ve played a rough schedule, with 10 games in that stretch against Boston and Cleveland. However, they’ve also lost a series to the Yankees. They try to turn things around today against a solid Texas team.
15: Wins in 35 road games for Kansas City: The Royals have been dominant at home, but have struggled away from Kauffman stadium. They’ve even struggled against some losing teams, going 1-5 against the White Sox, and 1-2 against the Yankees. Their game today kicks off a stretch of 10 consecutive road games.
7.82: Harland Guenette’s strikeout rate: Guenette has the second best strikeout rate in the AL to Eric Drouet, after being ninth last year. He’s controlled the strike zone as he’s also sixth in walk rate. In terms of raw numbers, Guenette has nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts, 43-24. With Guenette controlling the zone, he’s also been able to spray line drives all over the park. He already has 27 doubles, and is on pace for 61, which would challenge Franklin Barreto’s league record. He’s been a special player.
2.66: Addison Reed’s ERA since 2024: Reed’s 2.66 ERA the last four-plus years has been the fifth best mark in the PBA. He’s been exceptionally talented and reliable, plus he’s allowed just five runs in 33 innings in the postseason for the Royals. They’ll have to replace a tremendous reliever.
7: Royals doubles on May 24: The last time Kansas City faced Sixto Sanchez, they teed off on him, blasting four doubles against him. They also hit two doubles and a triple against Luke Shilling, plus a double and two home runs off Paul Lee. Kansas City won 12-2 to win the series, and if their double prowess continues today, it will help both their road record and recent skid.
Rangers 5 Key Stats:
13: Wins in Texas’ last 18 games: After a slow start, Texas has played good baseball in June. It’s mostly been an easy schedule, but they allowed a single run in each of their last three games, winning a series against Cleveland. Their pitching staff, especially at home, has come around leading Texas to get back into the AL West race.
.045: Nomar Mazara’s Batting Average the last six days: Mazara has struggled this entire season. He has been dropped to ninth in the order and has just a .363 Slugging Percentage. At age 33, this may signal the beginning of the end for the future Hall of Famer.
2.33: Dan O’Rourke’s ERA: O’Rourke has been low-key one of the better relievers in the league the past few years. He produced 2.3 WAR last year with a 2.00 ERA. With Noah Syndergaard and Ghi-cheng Der both out for two months, O’Rourke has been named Texas’ closer. He saved their win against Cleveland on Saturday, his fourth of the year.
4: Home Runs for Alejandro Toral: Nomar Mazara isn’t the only former NL West slugger that has disappointed for the Rangers this year. Toral has either been a big power hitter or a high-average starter the last few years with the Padres. He’s been neither this year, with a .602 OPS. Toral has only one year on his contract, so if he can’t turn things around, Texas can easily move on in the offseason.
22.0: Texas’ strikeout rate as a team: Texas’ hitters strikeout at the fourth highest rate in the league, but Kansas City isn’t an exceptionally high strikeout team. Texas may be able to make contact at a better rate, and that may allow them to hit some home runs to fuel their offense.
Questions for the GMs:
For Daniel Kent, you recently acquired Jahmai Jones. Why did you make the move to acquire him?
Nate McClure was acquired from Washington. Will he play today?
Maikel Franco hasn’t hit well this year. Is he at risk of losing playing time?
For Dave Lowitzki, Carlos Correa is healed from his MCL strain. Will he play today or go on a rehab assignment?
You’ve lost both of your closers now. Do you think your bullpen has held up with Thor and Der on the sidelines?
Your Triple-A team at Round Rock doesn’t have much talent. How do you plan to build up your farm system to help your big club going forward?
TRIVIA: Who are the two players who were NL All-Stars in 2018, moved on from the team they earned their All-Star appearance with, and have found their way back with the teams they earned their 2018 All Star berths with?
KC: Taylor Lehman (0-0, 0.00)
TEX: Sixto Sanchez (1-6, 7.33)
Royals 5 Key Stats:
8: Wins in Kansas City’s last 19 games: The Royals got off to a good start, but have petered out the last few weeks. They’ve played a rough schedule, with 10 games in that stretch against Boston and Cleveland. However, they’ve also lost a series to the Yankees. They try to turn things around today against a solid Texas team.
15: Wins in 35 road games for Kansas City: The Royals have been dominant at home, but have struggled away from Kauffman stadium. They’ve even struggled against some losing teams, going 1-5 against the White Sox, and 1-2 against the Yankees. Their game today kicks off a stretch of 10 consecutive road games.
7.82: Harland Guenette’s strikeout rate: Guenette has the second best strikeout rate in the AL to Eric Drouet, after being ninth last year. He’s controlled the strike zone as he’s also sixth in walk rate. In terms of raw numbers, Guenette has nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts, 43-24. With Guenette controlling the zone, he’s also been able to spray line drives all over the park. He already has 27 doubles, and is on pace for 61, which would challenge Franklin Barreto’s league record. He’s been a special player.
2.66: Addison Reed’s ERA since 2024: Reed’s 2.66 ERA the last four-plus years has been the fifth best mark in the PBA. He’s been exceptionally talented and reliable, plus he’s allowed just five runs in 33 innings in the postseason for the Royals. They’ll have to replace a tremendous reliever.
7: Royals doubles on May 24: The last time Kansas City faced Sixto Sanchez, they teed off on him, blasting four doubles against him. They also hit two doubles and a triple against Luke Shilling, plus a double and two home runs off Paul Lee. Kansas City won 12-2 to win the series, and if their double prowess continues today, it will help both their road record and recent skid.
Rangers 5 Key Stats:
13: Wins in Texas’ last 18 games: After a slow start, Texas has played good baseball in June. It’s mostly been an easy schedule, but they allowed a single run in each of their last three games, winning a series against Cleveland. Their pitching staff, especially at home, has come around leading Texas to get back into the AL West race.
.045: Nomar Mazara’s Batting Average the last six days: Mazara has struggled this entire season. He has been dropped to ninth in the order and has just a .363 Slugging Percentage. At age 33, this may signal the beginning of the end for the future Hall of Famer.
2.33: Dan O’Rourke’s ERA: O’Rourke has been low-key one of the better relievers in the league the past few years. He produced 2.3 WAR last year with a 2.00 ERA. With Noah Syndergaard and Ghi-cheng Der both out for two months, O’Rourke has been named Texas’ closer. He saved their win against Cleveland on Saturday, his fourth of the year.
4: Home Runs for Alejandro Toral: Nomar Mazara isn’t the only former NL West slugger that has disappointed for the Rangers this year. Toral has either been a big power hitter or a high-average starter the last few years with the Padres. He’s been neither this year, with a .602 OPS. Toral has only one year on his contract, so if he can’t turn things around, Texas can easily move on in the offseason.
22.0: Texas’ strikeout rate as a team: Texas’ hitters strikeout at the fourth highest rate in the league, but Kansas City isn’t an exceptionally high strikeout team. Texas may be able to make contact at a better rate, and that may allow them to hit some home runs to fuel their offense.
Questions for the GMs:
For Daniel Kent, you recently acquired Jahmai Jones. Why did you make the move to acquire him?
Nate McClure was acquired from Washington. Will he play today?
Maikel Franco hasn’t hit well this year. Is he at risk of losing playing time?
For Dave Lowitzki, Carlos Correa is healed from his MCL strain. Will he play today or go on a rehab assignment?
You’ve lost both of your closers now. Do you think your bullpen has held up with Thor and Der on the sidelines?
Your Triple-A team at Round Rock doesn’t have much talent. How do you plan to build up your farm system to help your big club going forward?
TRIVIA: Who are the two players who were NL All-Stars in 2018, moved on from the team they earned their All-Star appearance with, and have found their way back with the teams they earned their 2018 All Star berths with?
