Game of the Week: September 20: KC @ CLE

[Commissioner Erick]

Kansas City Royals (90-60) @ Cleveland Indians (82-67)


KC: Ryan Beyer (6-7, 3.45)
CLE: Steve Bates (19-6, 3.57)


The Kansas City Royals have been primed for an ALDS appearance all season, but they’re coming off a rough stretch of games, dropping five of six at home to Oakland and Seattle. They travel to Cleveland looking to get right. The team is suffering an alarmingly pedestrian season from Roderick Dalton, who only has 21 homers, half his 2031 total. Jonathan Bakos has stepped up with the best year of his career with 6 WAR, but the Royals need Dalton to break out of his September funk, where he’s hitting .215 with one homer thus far.

Cleveland had the AL Central all but sewn up, but a disastrous week and a surprising hot stretch from Oakland has introduced doubt. The Indians were swept in New York by the Yankees, and have scored two or fewer runs in four of their last six. They’re now only 4 up on Oakland with each team having 13 games remaining in the season.

Cleveland has seen Izak Pals produce at a blistering pace in the second half to fuel their surge. After a dismal start to the year, Pals had a .250 average and five homers in June, a .343 average and eight homers in July, and an astounding .366 average and nine homers in August. With Juan Marrufo and Oil Can Evans not producing power, Cleveland has needed his pop to fuel them. He’s been fairly quiet in September, so Cleveland will need him to ignite to secure a playoff spot.


Questions for the GMs:


For Daniel Kent, you have a comfortable lead in the AL Central, and it looks like you won’t have home field in the playoffs. Will you be resting your stars these final two weeks?

Are you concerned by Roderick Dalton’s season?

What have you made of prospect Jayden Harris’ PBA debut?

For Chris Stephan, your full season minor leagues won a combined 52 games. What on Earth happened there?

Your team was overbudget this season, and is basically at budget already for next year. Can expect to see some changes?

Will we see Tony Fleury off the IL today?


TRIVIA: Who led Cleveland in Saves the last year they didn’t make the postseason?

[Commissioner Erick]

Indians 10 - Royals 4


WP: S. Bates (20-6)
LP: R. Beyer (6-8)


The Cleveland Indians defeated the Kansas City Royals, 10-4. Doing his part was first baseman Roderick Dalton, who was 2-2 with a home run, a double, and 2 walks. He scored 2 times. Cleveland pitcher Steve Bates got the win. He's now 20-6. Ryan Beyer was tagged with the loss. The win puts Cleveland at 83-67 this season.

Randy Elsass, who is tied for 8th in the AL in stolen bases with 26, chipped in for Cleveland with a 3-run home run in the bottom of the fifth. For the game, the left fielder had 2 hits in 4 at-bats with 1 home run, 1 single, 1 run scored, and 3 RBI.

"We maximized our offense today," said Cleveland skipper Chris Stephan. "That makes everyone's life easier."


Questions for the GMs:


For Daniel Kent, your team is not playing its best baseball right now. Are you concerned heading to the playoffs?

Jayden Harris got roughed up again. Is he hurting his chances of starting for your team in 2033?

Roderick Dalton had two hits and two walks. How big is it to see him have a big game?

For Chris Stephen, after a rough week, how big was it to get a big win over the division leading Royals?

Do you feel you have the offensive depth to make a big run in the playoffs?

Did you feel Steve Bates had a 20-win season in him?


TRIVIA: Who has the most single-season offensive WAR for Cleveland among players who never played Shortstop for them?

[brewersgm]

I think this was the best game of the season!

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 2: Daniel correctly guessed Evan Skoug

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: Nobody guessed Josh Woodward