Game 9 - 4/14/2006

Royals 2, Devil Rays 7

When I started this blog, I honestly and sincerely believed that this Royals team, even with all of its warts, would avoid 100 losses. I really believed that the bad luck and bad talent that has plagued this team for so long would subside, if only for a season. But, 9 games (I know, small sample size) into the 2006 season, and things look no different. The Royals lost another ugly game last night in an ugly ballpark.

The Royals were not getting anything going offensively, but were able to grab a 2 run lead in the fifth inning. Scott Elarton pitched well enough to hold the Rays scoreless into the sixth. But Elarton must have tired as he loaded the bases, forcing Buddy Bell to call in the savior, Elmer Dessens. Only this time, the savior didn't save. Dessens finally began his regression, giving up four runs in an inning and two thirds. Perhaps now those Royals fans who were so angry that Dessens didn't pitch more in New York can take comfort in knowing that Dessens is, in fact, a Royals pitcher.

In order to keep a positive spin on this season, the Royals PR machine continues to crank out optimistic information about the near future. In today's Kansas City Star, the big heading story on the Sports Daily page reads, "GREINKE EAGER TO PITCH AGAIN." This is of course good news given the abysmal pitching the Royals have gotten so far this season. However, in reading the story, we find out that he may not return until late June or even July. Well, at least they're giving us something to hope for.

And in a classic "I told you so" (for Royals fans, at least) move, the struggling Jeremy Affeldt has been demoted to the bullpen. The Royals won't call it a demotion, saying instead that they just need some relief in the pen because they have been overworked (thanks in part to Affeldt). Mark Redman will rush back to the team to make his first start tomorrow. So, this tells us that Buddy Bell sees the same pitching issues that we see, and he is trying to shake things up a bit.

Finally, on a less positive note, looking at the total runs scored and runs allowed for the Royals, we can see that they are digging themselves a big hole. They already have a 30 run deficit which means the Pythagorean formula will not be kind to them for some time to come. The Royals need a couple of nice fat blow out wins in order to allow us to project them breaking 100.

The Bell Curve


Actual Record: 2-7
Runs Scored: 37
Runs Allowed: 67
Projected Record: 36-126
Pythagorean Record: 38-124
Pythagorean Winning %: .235

Let's go get 'em.