Game 126 - 8/20/2006

A's 6, Royals 4

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 45-81
Expected Record 47-79
Runs Scored 572
Runs Allowed 752
Projected Record 58-104
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.366

Let's go get 'em

Game 125 - 8/19/2006

A's 7, Royals 2

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 45-80
Expected Record 46-79
Runs Scored 568
Runs Allowed 746
Projected Record 59-103
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.366

Let's go get 'em

Game 124 - 8/18/2006

A's 3, Royals 5

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 45-79
Expected Record 46-78
Runs Scored 566
Runs Allowed 739
Projected Record 59-103
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.369

Let's go get 'em

Game 123 - 8/18/2006

A's 1, Royals 7

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 44-79
Expected Record 46-77
Runs Scored 561
Runs Allowed 736
Projected Record 58-104
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.367

Let's go get 'em

Game 122 - 8/17/2006

Royals 4, White Sox 5

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 43-79
Expected Record 45-77
Runs Scored 554
Runs Allowed 735
Projected Record 58-104
Pythagorean Record 59-103
Pythagorean Winning% 0.362

Let's go get 'em

Breaking 100: Almost Grudz

Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek was almost traded. Rumors were flying before Wednesday's game against the White Sox that a trade to the Detroit Tigers was imminent, sending the steady veteran off to shore up the Tigers' infield after their loss of Placido Palanco to the DL.

Instead, the Royals announced that Grudzielanek had signed a contract extension to stay with the Royals in 2007 with a mutual option for 2008. The signing allows the Royals to retain the reliable defense and consistent offense that Grudzielanek has provided. Grudz has just 3 errors this season, and is batting .292 with 5 homeruns and 39 RBI. The signing also ends speculation that minor leaguer Jeff Keppinger would be the second baseman in 2007. Instead, Royals GM Dayton Moore is either buying more time for Keppinger to develop, or buying more time to find his second baseman of the future.

In Wednesday's 10-4 rout of the White Sox, Grudzielanek almost hit for the cycle. He was only short a double, and had a three run homer along with a triple and single.

Grudz says he looks forward to playing with the Royals and believes good things are on the horizon. He said that he likes the direction of the club since Dayton Moore took over as GM in June.

I believe Royals fans agree.

Game 121 - 8/16/2006

Royals 10, White Sox 4

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 43-78
Expected Record 44-77
Runs Scored 550
Runs Allowed 730
Projected Record 58-104
Pythagorean Record 59-103
Pythagorean Winning% 0.362

Let's go get 'em

Game 120 - 8/15/2006

Royals 4, White Sox 2

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 42-78
Expected Record 43-77
Runs Scored 540
Runs Allowed 726
Projected Record 57-105
Pythagorean Record 58-104
Pythagorean Winning% 0.356

Let's go get 'em

Game 119 - 8/14/2006

Royals 2, White Sox 12

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 41-78
Expected Record 43-76
Runs Scored 536
Runs Allowed 724
Projected Record 56-106
Pythagorean Record 58-104
Pythagorean Winning% 0.354

Let's go get 'em

Game 118 - 8/13/2006

Royals 0, Indians 13

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 41-77
Expected Record 43-75
Runs Scored 534
Runs Allowed 712
Projected Record 57-105
Pythagorean Record 59-103
Pythagorean Winning% 0.36

Let's go get 'em

Game 117 - 8/12/2006

Royals 5, Indians 6

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 41-76
Expected Record 44-73
Runs Scored 534
Runs Allowed 699
Projected Record 57-105
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.368

Let's go get 'em

Game 116 - 8/12/2006

Royals 4, Indians 5

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 41-75
Expected Record 43-73
Runs Scored 529
Runs Allowed 693
Projected Record 58-104
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.368

Let's go get 'em

Game 115 - 8/11/2006

Royals 3, Indians 4

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 41-74
Expected Record 43-72
Runs Scored 525
Runs Allowed 688
Projected Record 58-104
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.368

Let's go get 'em

Game 114 - 8/10/2006

Royals 5, Red Sox 4

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 41-73
Expected Record 42-72
Runs Scored 522
Runs Allowed 684
Projected Record 59-103
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.368

Let's go get 'em

Game 113 - 8/9/2006

Royals 5, Red Sox 4

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 40-73
Expected Record 42-71
Runs Scored 517
Runs Allowed 680
Projected Record 58-104
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.366

Let's go get 'em

Game 112 - 8/8/2006

Royals 6, Red Sox 4

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 39-73
Expected Record 41-71
Runs Scored 512
Runs Allowed 676
Projected Record 57-105
Pythagorean Record 59-103
Pythagorean Winning% 0.364

Let's go get 'em

Game 111 - 8/6/2006

Twins 11, Royals 5

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 38-73
Expected Record 41-70
Runs Scored 506
Runs Allowed 672
Projected Record 56-106
Pythagorean Record 59-103
Pythagorean Winning% 0.361

Let's go get 'em

Game 110 - 8/5/2006

Twins 14, Royals 3

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 38-72
Expected Record 41-69
Runs Scored 501
Runs Allowed 661
Projected Record 56-106
Pythagorean Record 59-103
Pythagorean Winning% 0.364

Let's go get 'em

Game 109 - 8/4/2006

Twins 8, Royals 5

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 38-71
Expected Record 41-68
Runs Scored 498
Runs Allowed 647
Projected Record 57-105
Pythagorean Record 61-101
Pythagorean Winning% 0.372

Let's go get 'em

Breaking 100: Allard Baird is a Frickin' Genius!!!

When former Royals GM Allard Baird was looking to trade superstar Carlos Beltran, the one player he coveted was Mark Teahen. Baird approached the trade with laser focus, target a third baseman and selecting Teahen as his guy.

In 2005, Teahen was rushed to the majors after injuries and the inability to fill the spot left the Royals in need of a third baseman. Teahen struggled, showing an inability to pull major league pitching.

This year, Teahen again got off to a slow start and was eventually sent to AAA Omaha to figure things out. At this point, Royals fans were fed up with Baird's obsession, and many accused Baird of never getting value in return in his trades.

After a couple of weeks, Teahen was promoted back to KC, and since then he has looked like the second coming of George Brett.

Teahen is hitting for average, hitting for power, hitting to all fields, and hitting in the clutch. In short, he's become a hitter that everybody stops what they're doing to watch hit.

As it turns out, perhaps Teahen is becoming the player that Baird envisioned. He just needed a little time to get acclimated to the majors.

Game 108 - 8/3/2006

White Sox 8, Royals 2

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 38-70
Expected Record 41-67
Runs Scored 493
Runs Allowed 639
Projected Record 57-105
Pythagorean Record 61-101
Pythagorean Winning% 0.373

Let's go get 'em

Game 107 - 8/2/2006

White Sox 3, Royals 7

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 38-69
Expected Record 41-66
Runs Scored 491
Runs Allowed 631
Projected Record 58-104
Pythagorean Record 62-100
Pythagorean Winning% 0.377

Let's go get 'em

Game 106 - 8/1/2006

White Sox 7, Royals 5

This game featured the Royal debut of three players – Odalis Perez, Ryan Shealy, and Scott Dohmann.

Perez got the start and pitched just 4 innings. Since Perez had been a reliever for a while, it will take some time for him to build back up to more innings. He pitched fairly well, but it was obvious that he was knocking some rust off. Perez have up 3 hits and 2 runs, walking 2 and striking out 4. Perez was visibly upset after he gave up a game-tying home run to Joe Crede in the 4th inning.

First baseman Ryan Shealy, making his debut since being traded from the Rockies, looked a bit over matched. Shealy was 0-4 with 2 strike outs. He easily fell of the old “climb the ladder” trick, swinging the high fast balls.

Scott Dohmann, also from the Rockies, pitched 1 1/3 innings giving up 3 hits and 1 run.

The highlight of the night was Mark Teahen’s 2 RBI double in the 8th. The Royals were trailing 4-2 when Teahen approached the plate. He fought off several pitches, and finally took a pitch the opposite way down the left field line scoring DeJesus and Grudzielanek. With Teahen on second, Reggie Sanders blooped a single moving Teahen to third, setting up a perfect opportunity for Emil Brown to drive in the go ahead run. Brown promptly slapped the first pitch he saw right to the short stop for an inning ending, rally ending double play.

The game remained tied 4-4 through nine innings. Ambiorix Burgos, pitching his second inning of the night, gave up three runs in the 10th, making Angel Berroa’s solo homer in the bottom of the tenth useless.

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 37-69
Expected Record 40-66
Runs Scored 484
Runs Allowed 628
Projected Record 57-105
Pythagorean Record 61-101
Pythagorean Winning% 0.372

Let's go get 'em

Game 105 - 7/31/2006

White Sox 8, Royals 4

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 37-68
Expected Record 40-65
Runs Scored 479
Runs Allowed 621
Projected Record 58-104
Pythagorean Record 61-101
Pythagorean Winning% 0.373

Let's go get 'em

Breaking 100: Trading Up

Now that the dust has settled a bit after the non-waiver trade deadline, it’s time to evaluate how the Royals have done.

Here’s a look at the players that have left the Royals organization:
• JP Howell, LHP – some called Howell the Royals’ most promising pitching prospect. Struggled during his short time in KC.
• Ruben Gotay, 2B – another promising prospect who struggled in KC, and hasn’t quite recovered since.
• Mike MacDougal, RHP – this guy can pitch, when healthy. Showed great promise in 2003, but injuries and illness have held him back since.
• Elmer Dessens, RHP – aging reliever who provided some veteran presence in the bullpen this year.
• Tony Graffanino, IF – competent utility infielder who split time with Esteban German. Decent hitter, but not a cornerstone of any team.
• Matt Stairs, DH – power lefty who provided nothing more than an additional HR in the Royals’ losses. Good veteran guy, but not a part of the future.
• Jeremy Affeldt, LHP – another promising pitcher who could never come through. I thought Affeldt was the real deal a few years ago, but his injuries and ineffectiveness grew tiring.
• Denny Bautista, RHP – Bautista had such sizzling stuff in spring training, everybody was gushing about how great he could be. Spent much of 2006 struggling in Omaha.

In my opinion, none of these players will play a major role in the future of the Royals, and most were struggling guys who were mired in mediocrity.

Now let’s look at who the Royals have acquired since Moore took over:
• Daniel Cortes, RHP
• Jorge de la Rosa, LHP
• Jose Diaz, RHP
• Scott Dohmann, RHP
• Brandon Duckworth, RHP
• Blake Johnson, RHP
• Tyler Lumsden, LHP
• Odalis Perez, LHP
• Julio Pimentel, RHP
• Todd Wellemeyer, RHP
• Fernando Cortez, IF
• Jeff Keppinger, IF
• Joey Gathright, CF
• Ryan Shealy, 1B/DH

Look at the first 10 players on this list. Pitchers. The Royals have been pitching-poor for years, and Moore’s first priority was to bolster the pitching ranks throughout the system. These pitchers are sprinkled throughout the organization – from High A to KC – to help not only today’s Royals, but the Royals of the future.

Jorge de la Rosa has already won a start. Brandon Duckworth provided some starts and has moved to the bullpen. Odalis Perez gets his first start tonight against the White Sox. Scott Dohmann reported to the right field bullpen at Kauffman Stadium last night.

If only 2 of the 10 pitchers pan out, Moore still should be considered a success.

Another area of concern for Moore was first base. Justin Huber had been tagged as the first baseman of the future, but after spending a few weeks rotting on the Royals bench, he was sent back to Omaha and moved to the outfield. Moore got his guy in the Affeldt deal – Ryan Shealy.

Moore has begun putting his stamp on his team. What is most encouraging to me is that, at least to me, it seems that Moore is trading on his terms. Former GM Allard Baird always seemed to be dealing in desperation. When he “needed” to get rid of Jermaine Dye, he got Neifi Perez. When he “needed” to get rid of Johnny Damon, he got Roberto Hernandez. It doesn’t feel like Moore will make those kinds of mistakes.

While the non-waiver trade deadline has passed, that doesn’t mean that the trades will cease. I believe Moore will continue to deal until August 31. Let’s hope this trend continues.