Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 16, 2023 10:56:45 GMT -5
Detroit Tigers (74-81) @ Kansas City Royals (102-53)
DET: ? ? (?-?, ?.??)
KC: Caleb MacClellan (1-1, 3.46)
Tigers 3 Key Stats
78: Detroit wins the last two years. At 74-81, a slight winning record this week will allow them to match where they’ve been the last 3 years. They’ve been two different teams though. The 2029 version had power, and a few pitchers, but not much else. This year’s club has no power, but a dedicated bullpen approach and strong pitching has the club close to .500. There isn’t a ton in the minors, especially with potential starting pitching prospects shunted to the pen, and Detroit is close to their budget for next season already, so the team will need to pick a direction and execute exceptionally well to avoid a fourth straight year of 78 or so wins.
44: Enrique Valdez’ OPS+: Valdez has not been a good offensive player. He’s slugging .258. He only has 30 walks against 100 strikeouts. He’s batting .208. He’s been one of the worst offensive players in the league. Despite that, he’s been worth a solid 0.8 WAR. Valdez has been a special defensive player and should easily rack up his fourth Gold Glove of his career. It’s allowed him to stay a PBA player despite his rough offense. If his offense doesn’t pick up though, he puts a lot of pressure on a team’s lineup to carry his struggling bat.
.336: Marty Parham’s average. Parham played in about 100 games coming into this season, putting up .530 and .548 OPS marks the last two years. Aside from hitting .286 for Toledo in 2029, nothing in his scouting or statistical profile suggested he could hit .336, yet here we are. He’s a near lock to win the batting title, and his 38 doubles rank eighth. He’s been one of the most surprising successes of the year and would love to finish the year with a bang.
Royals 3 Key Stats
105: Kansas City’s record number of wins in a season: The Royals come into today with 102 wins, and a winning final week will give the club their all time record. The team won the World Series last year, but their play this year suggests they may be even better. They’re four up in the loss column on Seattle for home field in the ALCS, and two up on St.Louis for home field in the World Series, suggesting that there’s at least something to keep playing for. That’s bad news for the 2024 Royals, as it may erase them from the record books.
1: The number of times Kansas City has had two 40-home run hitters in the same year: Jorge Vargas and Roderick Dalton have 41 and 42 homers respectively, giving the Royals their first ever 40+ homer duo. Dalton continues to elevate Kansas City to new heights, building on the foundation of excellence Vargas has built. Seven hitters have at least 40 homers in the AL right now, and it’s possible six more join them before the year is up—but only Dalton is producing a .300 average to pair with the homers. Meanwhile, Vargas may be the only member of the 40 home run club to pair it with 40 doubles. They’re a special duo making Kansas City a special team.
50: Triples for Kansas City: When Vargas and Dalton aren’t tearing the cover off the ball, the Royals are tearing around the bases. Their 50 triples lead the league. Humberto Camacho is second in the AL with 12 three-baggers, while Jonathan Bakos has 10. The duo joins Marty Parham and Geoff Migliore as the only pair of teammates this year with double-digit three-baggers. If you like the excitement of what happens when a ball is hit to the gap, the combination of outfield defense and triples makes this the game for you.
Questions for the GMs:
For David Boyer, Corey Thornton is scheduled to come off the IL. Will he play today?
How do you feel your bullpen strategy has worked this year?
Amin Valdez is clearly a special defender, but his bat is a real drag and he’s due a pricy arbitration contract. Will he be back in Detroit next year?
For Daniel Kent, Eduardo Rodriguez is dealing with a bad back. Will you IL him to get him fully healthy for the playoffs?
Young Caleb MacClellan has gotten a look in September with 3 starts. What have you seen from the rookie and what lies ahead in his future?
With the playoffs only a week away and your team basically shorn up the league’s best record, will we see any backups getting more time today?
TRIVIA: Who has the most single-season RBIs in Tigers history?
DET: ? ? (?-?, ?.??)
KC: Caleb MacClellan (1-1, 3.46)
Tigers 3 Key Stats
78: Detroit wins the last two years. At 74-81, a slight winning record this week will allow them to match where they’ve been the last 3 years. They’ve been two different teams though. The 2029 version had power, and a few pitchers, but not much else. This year’s club has no power, but a dedicated bullpen approach and strong pitching has the club close to .500. There isn’t a ton in the minors, especially with potential starting pitching prospects shunted to the pen, and Detroit is close to their budget for next season already, so the team will need to pick a direction and execute exceptionally well to avoid a fourth straight year of 78 or so wins.
44: Enrique Valdez’ OPS+: Valdez has not been a good offensive player. He’s slugging .258. He only has 30 walks against 100 strikeouts. He’s batting .208. He’s been one of the worst offensive players in the league. Despite that, he’s been worth a solid 0.8 WAR. Valdez has been a special defensive player and should easily rack up his fourth Gold Glove of his career. It’s allowed him to stay a PBA player despite his rough offense. If his offense doesn’t pick up though, he puts a lot of pressure on a team’s lineup to carry his struggling bat.
.336: Marty Parham’s average. Parham played in about 100 games coming into this season, putting up .530 and .548 OPS marks the last two years. Aside from hitting .286 for Toledo in 2029, nothing in his scouting or statistical profile suggested he could hit .336, yet here we are. He’s a near lock to win the batting title, and his 38 doubles rank eighth. He’s been one of the most surprising successes of the year and would love to finish the year with a bang.
Royals 3 Key Stats
105: Kansas City’s record number of wins in a season: The Royals come into today with 102 wins, and a winning final week will give the club their all time record. The team won the World Series last year, but their play this year suggests they may be even better. They’re four up in the loss column on Seattle for home field in the ALCS, and two up on St.Louis for home field in the World Series, suggesting that there’s at least something to keep playing for. That’s bad news for the 2024 Royals, as it may erase them from the record books.
1: The number of times Kansas City has had two 40-home run hitters in the same year: Jorge Vargas and Roderick Dalton have 41 and 42 homers respectively, giving the Royals their first ever 40+ homer duo. Dalton continues to elevate Kansas City to new heights, building on the foundation of excellence Vargas has built. Seven hitters have at least 40 homers in the AL right now, and it’s possible six more join them before the year is up—but only Dalton is producing a .300 average to pair with the homers. Meanwhile, Vargas may be the only member of the 40 home run club to pair it with 40 doubles. They’re a special duo making Kansas City a special team.
50: Triples for Kansas City: When Vargas and Dalton aren’t tearing the cover off the ball, the Royals are tearing around the bases. Their 50 triples lead the league. Humberto Camacho is second in the AL with 12 three-baggers, while Jonathan Bakos has 10. The duo joins Marty Parham and Geoff Migliore as the only pair of teammates this year with double-digit three-baggers. If you like the excitement of what happens when a ball is hit to the gap, the combination of outfield defense and triples makes this the game for you.
Questions for the GMs:
For David Boyer, Corey Thornton is scheduled to come off the IL. Will he play today?
How do you feel your bullpen strategy has worked this year?
Amin Valdez is clearly a special defender, but his bat is a real drag and he’s due a pricy arbitration contract. Will he be back in Detroit next year?
For Daniel Kent, Eduardo Rodriguez is dealing with a bad back. Will you IL him to get him fully healthy for the playoffs?
Young Caleb MacClellan has gotten a look in September with 3 starts. What have you seen from the rookie and what lies ahead in his future?
With the playoffs only a week away and your team basically shorn up the league’s best record, will we see any backups getting more time today?
TRIVIA: Who has the most single-season RBIs in Tigers history?
