Post by Commissioner Erick on Apr 18, 2023 6:53:40 GMT -5
Kansas City Royals (16-6) @ Tampa Bay Rays (10-12)
KC: T.J. Zeuch (3-0, 5.01)
TB: Bobby Burns (1-0, 2.87)
Royals 3 Key Stats
2.18: Kansas City’s starting pitching ERA: The Royals have the best starting pitching ERA in the American League. Three Royals starters have a 1.67 ERA or less, and a fourth has a 2.39 ERA. T.J. Zeuch is the one starter who hasn’t pitched at an elite level, but he’s worked to a mostly fine 5.01 ERA and is 3-0, with a .358 BABIP the cause for most of his damage. Zeuch doesn’t walk anyone and he doesn’t give up homers. He barely strikes anyone out, but Tampa Bay has the league’s worst offense and the second to worst batting average. Zeuch won’t hurt himself, a good approach against an offense that won’t hurt him either.
10: Jorge Vargas’ home runs: After seeing Vargas’ slugging numbers decline for four straight years, Kansas City must be stoked to see Vargas with 10 homers already. He’s seeing the ball especially well with 12 walks to 12 strikeouts, and he’s converting all his doubles to homers. Vargas only has two doubles versus his league-leading 10 long balls. That may modulate a little bit, but the lower mound and improved age and strength of Vargas correlates with more homers. He gives Kansas City an elite bat they missed last year and is a huge reason Kansas City is on pace for another playoff appearance.
4: Rafael A. Gomez saves: Gomez had a down year in 2028 for San Francisco, though he rebounded in relative anonymity in Pittsburgh last year. In the early going of 2030, he’s back to looking like the elite arm he was in his Giants heyday. Homer luck was what set Gomez back in his only real poor season when he put up a 6.56 ERA in 2028. His command remains strong though, plus he generates grounders with his sinker, and strikeouts with his curveball and very good rates. He has just a 0.44 WHIP in 11.1 innings without a run allowed this year. Tampa Bay needs to try to score early as Gomez will be tough to deal with.
Rays 3 Key Stats
5.71: Tampa Bay’s Zone Rating: The Rays have the second best defense in the AL thus far, helping fuel their respectable start. Their offense is non existent, but their fielders have flashed the leather and the pitching has been adequate. As a result, Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth fewest runs against in the AL. They’re doing this despite nobody being first or second for their position in Zone Rating. Instead, Tampa Bay has built a team of good defenders with no weak positions, making it hard for opposing teams to tailor lineups to take advantage of weak spots.
-0.4: Kevin Hess’s WAR: The Rays have done a good job with good defenders at every position, but at some positions it’s led to terrible offense. First Base is the main culprit where Kevin Hess is doing an awful job. He has a single homer and three RBIs and a .203 average. He does have six doubles, but with only two walks, it’s led to a .536 OPS. Hess’ presence at First Base all but guarantees the Rays will have a substandard offense as they don’t have the resources to have plus power or a balanced producer at positions further up the defensive spectrum.
5: Saves for Kevin Sexton: Tampa Bay’s closer was part of a very good Boston bullpen before this season. He had a very good 2026 allowing only four homers and being worth 1.2 WAR in 62.2 innings. He was even better in 2027, improving his ERA from 4.45 to 3.03. However, he tore his labrum in 2028, putting his career in jeopardy. He returned last year and had a stellar year with a 3.07 ERA and eight wins, part of an excellent Red Sox bullpen. A free agent, Tampa Bay signed him to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million and he’s saved five of his six opportunities thus far.
Questions for the GMs:
For Daniel Kent, your pitching has been exceptional this year with four of your starters having better seasons than their excellent 2029’s. How much do you attribute their success to Bryce Florie, who doesn’t come across as a great pitching teacher, but who has always gotten results for you?
You’ve gotten 13 games and 36 at bats so far out of Bryce Zettel. How have you managed to get him some at bats this year?
Addison Reed got hit hard on Saturday, but his first seven appearances were all scoreless. Now 41, how has he been able to do it?
For Jimmy Wood, your defense is keeping your team competitive, but you have the worst offense in the American League. Do you plan on making some changes to get more punch in your lineup?
Bobby Burns has been in the rotation for two games and the bullpen for two games. What do you like about him to have him in the starting lineup?
You have a solid bullpen, comprised almost entirely of veterans brought in this season. Why did you go the new veterans route to build your bullpen?
TRIVIA: Who led Tampa Bay in home runs in 2029?
KC: T.J. Zeuch (3-0, 5.01)
TB: Bobby Burns (1-0, 2.87)
Royals 3 Key Stats
2.18: Kansas City’s starting pitching ERA: The Royals have the best starting pitching ERA in the American League. Three Royals starters have a 1.67 ERA or less, and a fourth has a 2.39 ERA. T.J. Zeuch is the one starter who hasn’t pitched at an elite level, but he’s worked to a mostly fine 5.01 ERA and is 3-0, with a .358 BABIP the cause for most of his damage. Zeuch doesn’t walk anyone and he doesn’t give up homers. He barely strikes anyone out, but Tampa Bay has the league’s worst offense and the second to worst batting average. Zeuch won’t hurt himself, a good approach against an offense that won’t hurt him either.
10: Jorge Vargas’ home runs: After seeing Vargas’ slugging numbers decline for four straight years, Kansas City must be stoked to see Vargas with 10 homers already. He’s seeing the ball especially well with 12 walks to 12 strikeouts, and he’s converting all his doubles to homers. Vargas only has two doubles versus his league-leading 10 long balls. That may modulate a little bit, but the lower mound and improved age and strength of Vargas correlates with more homers. He gives Kansas City an elite bat they missed last year and is a huge reason Kansas City is on pace for another playoff appearance.
4: Rafael A. Gomez saves: Gomez had a down year in 2028 for San Francisco, though he rebounded in relative anonymity in Pittsburgh last year. In the early going of 2030, he’s back to looking like the elite arm he was in his Giants heyday. Homer luck was what set Gomez back in his only real poor season when he put up a 6.56 ERA in 2028. His command remains strong though, plus he generates grounders with his sinker, and strikeouts with his curveball and very good rates. He has just a 0.44 WHIP in 11.1 innings without a run allowed this year. Tampa Bay needs to try to score early as Gomez will be tough to deal with.
Rays 3 Key Stats
5.71: Tampa Bay’s Zone Rating: The Rays have the second best defense in the AL thus far, helping fuel their respectable start. Their offense is non existent, but their fielders have flashed the leather and the pitching has been adequate. As a result, Tampa Bay has allowed the sixth fewest runs against in the AL. They’re doing this despite nobody being first or second for their position in Zone Rating. Instead, Tampa Bay has built a team of good defenders with no weak positions, making it hard for opposing teams to tailor lineups to take advantage of weak spots.
-0.4: Kevin Hess’s WAR: The Rays have done a good job with good defenders at every position, but at some positions it’s led to terrible offense. First Base is the main culprit where Kevin Hess is doing an awful job. He has a single homer and three RBIs and a .203 average. He does have six doubles, but with only two walks, it’s led to a .536 OPS. Hess’ presence at First Base all but guarantees the Rays will have a substandard offense as they don’t have the resources to have plus power or a balanced producer at positions further up the defensive spectrum.
5: Saves for Kevin Sexton: Tampa Bay’s closer was part of a very good Boston bullpen before this season. He had a very good 2026 allowing only four homers and being worth 1.2 WAR in 62.2 innings. He was even better in 2027, improving his ERA from 4.45 to 3.03. However, he tore his labrum in 2028, putting his career in jeopardy. He returned last year and had a stellar year with a 3.07 ERA and eight wins, part of an excellent Red Sox bullpen. A free agent, Tampa Bay signed him to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million and he’s saved five of his six opportunities thus far.
Questions for the GMs:
For Daniel Kent, your pitching has been exceptional this year with four of your starters having better seasons than their excellent 2029’s. How much do you attribute their success to Bryce Florie, who doesn’t come across as a great pitching teacher, but who has always gotten results for you?
You’ve gotten 13 games and 36 at bats so far out of Bryce Zettel. How have you managed to get him some at bats this year?
Addison Reed got hit hard on Saturday, but his first seven appearances were all scoreless. Now 41, how has he been able to do it?
For Jimmy Wood, your defense is keeping your team competitive, but you have the worst offense in the American League. Do you plan on making some changes to get more punch in your lineup?
Bobby Burns has been in the rotation for two games and the bullpen for two games. What do you like about him to have him in the starting lineup?
You have a solid bullpen, comprised almost entirely of veterans brought in this season. Why did you go the new veterans route to build your bullpen?
TRIVIA: Who led Tampa Bay in home runs in 2029?
