The Red Sox are back on the road and who would have thought that games away from Fenway Park would be just what this team needs. After an abysmal weekend series that had the Red Sox swept away by the upstart Orioles, the Sox have lost 10 of their last 11 at Fenway. With a restless home crowd, the Sox take to the road for a brief trip in Kansas City that has the Royals playing host to the Olde Towne Team for the next three games. There are many questions surrounding this Boston team and with multiple players struggling a date with the Royals could help some guys break loose; notably Adrian Gonzalez.
But the Royals are playing better baseball as of late and by no means will this be a cake walk for the struggling Red Sox. As always we got an inside scoop on the opposition, this time courtesy of Marcus from Kings of Kauffman. This 6 pack we discuss Jonathan Sanchez, the Royals poor play to start the year and who Marcus thinks will win the series. Enjoy.
1. Jonathan Sanchez has walked more batters than he’s struck out so far this year. Are Royals fans at all concerned over this guy and is the Cabrera deal now looking like a bad idea?
For the most part, Royals nation seems down on Sanchez to this point. He pitched well in his last outing against Detroit but hasn’t gone more than five innings all season. His fastball velocity is down, which has some people worried. He usually lived in the low to mid 90s, occasionally touching 94. Now, he lives 88-91. He’s not striking out as many hitters, which is probably due to his lack of velocity, but it also may signal a greater problem of some sort.
In terms of the trade, it’s tough to consider it a “bad idea,” even if Sanchez is struggling, because Melky Cabrera wasn’t staying in KC past this season (much like Sanchez). The Royals have Lorenzo Cain, who they really like despite the injury-plagued year so far, as well as Jarrod Dyson who’s played pretty well since cracking the starting lineup. Both are better defenders than Cabrera, which means a lot in a spacious outfield like Kauffman. In the end, it will be tough for the trade to be anything more or less than a wash.
2. With a boatload of young talent the Royals are close to being contenders in a couple of years. They are expected to improve every year including this year and so far they haven’t gotten off to a great start. What level of concern is there that this young group may not be making the necessary strides, or is it early enough that they can turn it around?
While many in the Royals fan base were optimistic about this season, most considered it another stepping stone to true contender status. Bloggers and analysts typically placed predictions around or slightly below .500, contending for second place in the AL Central behind Detroit. The long losing streak early in the season was a morale killer for sure. At one point, they were hitting around .180 with runners in scoring position, and even now everything Eric Hosmer hits finds a glove. It seemed like one small thing was often the difference in a one-run game during that losing stretch. Still, most feel the positive signs outweigh the negative. Mike Moustakas is playing out of his mind, production from the second base spot has been a pleasant surprise, and Danny Duffy has taken a clear step forward in his development. Concern over Hosmer’s slow start is pretty limited, with commentators and fans feeling that he’s got the worst case of tough luck in history.
The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. It’s clear the Royals’ young talent is progressing, but they had a really tough stretch that can’t be ignored. That said, they’re starting to turn it around in the win-loss column, and that’s an encouraging sign for fans.
3. What’s been the biggest reason for the slow start for the Royals?
It’s something different every game. One game, Jonathan Broxton breaks down and blows a game in the ninth. One game, the Royals strand 12 runners. It’s never any one thing, which seems to be the case with young teams in a slump. They find ways to lose close games until they understand how to win them, by doing every little thing with extreme attention to detail.
One thing that has had a major impact is injury. Salvador Perez, a budding star of a 21-year-old catcher, hurt his knee just before the season started. Lorenzo Cain, starting center fielder, went down about one week into the season. Felipe Paulino missed his first few starts. Teams like the Royals really aren’t deep enough to deal with major injuries and losing those three hurt big time. Perez should be back around the All-Star break and Cain in mid to late June.
4. Which player(s) has been the most pleasant surprise thus far?
The two most exciting players for the Royals right now are easily Danny Duffy and Mike Moustakas. Duffy’s 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA and 10.3 K/9. He’s locating his fastball and his curveball much better. He’s being aggressive in the strike zone more so than last year, which is allowing him to go a little deeper in games (though he still needs to be even more efficient with pitches). He’s taken a significant step forward in his development.
Moustakas is having the type of breakout year, so far, that Hosmer has last season. His slash line is .305/.365/.537. He’s come up with some big hits as well, which is great for a team that’s been lacking clutch hits. Last season, he really struggled chasing pitches outside the zone. He looks a little more patient, and when he’s getting his pitch, he’s driving it.
5. Who do you see as potential game breakers in this series? Someone the Sox fans should keep their eye on?
Honestly, Hosmer looks ready to bust out. He’s hitting the ball extremely hard right at people. I would not be surprised at all if he goes off in a couple games and starts driving the ball off and over the fence. Alex Gordon had a four-hit game against New York so he might be heating up, and he tends to go on really hot streaks where he has many multiple hit games in clusters.
On the pitching side, Duffy’s been very good, and there’s no reason to think he won’t in the Red Sox series. Chen also had a nice outing going until a few bad pitches late in the game against New York so he might be ready for a really good outing. From the bullpen, Tim Collins is super hot right now, and Kelvin Herrera looks more poised now that he has a few appearances under his belt.
6. Pitching matchups are:
Doubront vs. Sanchez
Bard vs. Duffy
Lester vs. Chen
– Briefly give Red Sox fans an inside analysis on the Royal’s three starters and who in your opinion wins each game?
The Royals are playing pretty well right now. So, for game one, I think Sanchez and Doubront are going to try to walk everyone in the lineup at least once, but the Royals will rush to their bullpen and win in a high scoring game.
Duffy’s pitched well so far this season, and with no Green Monster to hit it off, or over, Dustin Pedroia shouldn’t do so much damage that he beats the Royals single-handedly. Hopefully, Duffy can handle the lefties in the lineup fairly well. I optimistically think the Royals win this game on a good performance from Duffy.
There’s very little chance the Royals win against Lester. He’s left handed, and the Royals best hitters are left handed (and struggle against lefties). Billy Butler is the only one who might be able to handle Lester, but it won’t be enough. I see the Red Sox taking this game, even if Chen pitches well.
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