Game 33 - 5/7/2008

Angels 4, Royals 9

I'm beginning to think that this Royals team is actually blessed. Consider how terrible the offense has been, and yet they are still within 3 games of .500 and only 2.5 games out of first place. This is a tight division and if it remains that way, this could be a very exciting year.

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 15-18
Expected Record 13-20

Runs Scored 119
Runs Allowed 146
Projected Record 74-88
Pythagorean Record 65-97
Pythagorean Winning% 0.399

Let's go get 'em

Game 32 - 5/6/2008

Angels 5, Royals 3

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 14-18
Expected Record 12-20
Runs Scored 110
Runs Allowed 142
Projected Record 71-91
Pythagorean Record 61-101
Pythagorean Winning% 0.375

Let's go get 'em

Game 31 - 5/5/2008

Angels 4, Royals 0

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 14-17
Expected Record 12-19
Runs Scored 107
Runs Allowed 137
Projected Record 74-88
Pythagorean Record 62-100
Pythagorean Winning% 0.378

Let's go get 'em

Game 16 - 4/17/2008

Royals 3, Angels 5

I'm happy that the Royals are off to a good start. Even if they don't contend, as long as they continue to hover around .500 for most of the year, I will be extremely happy as this would mark a huge improvement over the past few years.

That said, there are some things that are starting to irk me about the 2008 Royals. First, and most obviously, is the offense. Most of the lineup is doing fine, but Jose Guillen is really awful so far. I'm getting so tired of seeing him come up with runners in scoring position only to pop out or hit into a double play. I'm making no judgements here, but all I've seen from him is warning track power. What's missing now that he can't seem to get the ball out of the park anymore???

I know Hillman likes to run, and aggressiveness is his calling card, but let's not get stupid here. Last night, the Royals were down 3-2 with runners at first and third and Buck batting. All the sudden, Alex Gordon tries to steal second and is thrown out by a country mile for the third out of the inning. It totally killed their chance of tying the game and destroyed any momemtum they had at the time. Why, why, why??? In past games, I've seen guys get thrown out trying to steal third. Why??? I believe the out is MUCH more detrimental than the advantage of having that extra base. Chill it out a little bit Trey. Let the hitters do their job.

(In Trey's defense, the hitters aren't doing their job very well.)

Bale was put on the DL. After getting knocked around a couple of games, I guess he finally decided he's hurt. I love the top 3 of the rotation, but I hope the bottom two get replaced soon, and perhaps this trip to the DL is the first manuver in that direction.

The Royals travel to Oakland tonight. Should be fun to see Emil Brown get caught in a rundown.

The Hill Climb
Actual Record 9-7
Expected Record 9-7
Runs Scored 55
Runs Allowed 51
Projected Record 92-70
Pythagorean Record 87-75
Pythagorean Winning% 0.537

Let's go get 'em

Game 15 - 4/16/2008

Royals 3, Angels 2

I don't know about you, but I couldn't shake the feeling that Gil Meche was pitching
just on the edge of giving up a ton of runs. It seemed like every inning, he gave up a hard hit ball, but was able to get out of the jam.

Things looked good offensively in the first inning, but Weaver buckled down and actually pitched pretty well after the second. Fortunately, the Royals got all they needed before that.

And big time kudos to the bullpen for holding onto the lead and letting Gil notch his first win. All in all, a decent night for the Royals.



The Hill Climb
Actual Record 9-6
Expected Record 8-7
Runs Scored 52
Runs Allowed 46
Projected Record 98-64
Pythagorean Record 91-71
Pythagorean Winning% 0.56

Let's go get 'em

Game 79 - 6/27/2007

Royals 1, Angels 0

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 33-46
Expected Record 33-46
Runs Scored 347
Runs Allowed 404
Projected Record 68-94
Pythagorean Record 69-93
Pythagorean Winning% 0.424

Let's go get 'em

Game 78 - 6/26/2007

Royals 12, Angels 4

I'm heading out of town today, so I probably won't be able to update Breaking 100 until after the weekend homestand against the White Sox. Hopefully by then, we can say that the Royals are NOT in last place!

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 32-46
Expected Record 33-45
Runs Scored 346
Runs Allowed 404
Projected Record 67-95
Pythagorean Record 69-93
Pythagorean Winning% 0.423

Let's go get 'em

Game 77 - 6/25/2007

Royals 5, Angels 3

Nice start by super-sub John Thomson. Thomson was signed in desparation after Elarton tanked was injured. He pitched well and, amazingly, didn't walk or strike out any batters. Now that's pitching to contact.

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 31-46
Expected Record 32-45
Runs Scored 334
Runs Allowed 400
Projected Record 66-96
Pythagorean Record 67-95
Pythagorean Winning% 0.41

Let's go get 'em

Game 29 - 5/3/2007

Angels 2, Royals 5

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 10-19
Expected Record 11-18
Runs Scored 112
Runs Allowed 142
Projected Record 56-106
Pythagorean Record 63-99
Pythagorean Winning% 0.383

Let's go get 'em

Game 28 - 5/2/2007

Angels 3, Royals 1

The highlight of the game? Me snagging a foul ball off the bat of Mark Teahen (off the bounce) as we huddled under the overhang down the third base line to get out of the rain. Oh, and German's three run homer to win it. That was good too.

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 9-19
Expected Record 10-18
Runs Scored 107
Runs Allowed 140
Projected Record 53-109
Pythagorean Record 60-102
Pythagorean Winning% 0.368

Let's go get 'em

Game 27 - 5/1/2007

Angels 7, Royals 5

If it's not one thing, it's another. The starting pitching for the Royals has been much better this season. In fact, the starters have been very encouraging, but the Royals have suffered with terrible offense.

To spark plug the offense, the Royals called up Billy Butler from AAA Omaha. Butler represents the Royals' best hitting prospect in years. He is a line drive hitter with power - a true RBI type hitter. He lived up to expectations in his debut, going 2-4.

But, in true Royals fashion, the starting pitching struggled. Zack Greinke gave up three singles followed by a grand slam, putting the Royals in a 4-0 hole before the first out had been recorded.

If the rain holds off today, we will be there to witness Butler's second day in the big leagues.

You will notice that the Breaking 100 trend has turned to green. Based on the Royals' last 15 games, they are projected to finish 66-96, breaking the 100 lost barrier.


The Bell Curve
Actual Record 8-19
Expected Record 10-17
Runs Scored 104
Runs Allowed 139
Projected Record 48-114
Pythagorean Record 58-104
Pythagorean Winning% 0.358

Let's go get 'em

Game 26 - 4/30/2007

Angels 3, Royals 1

The Bell Curve
Actual Record 8-18
Expected Record 9-17
Runs Scored 99
Runs Allowed 132
Projected Record 50-112
Pythagorean Record 59-103
Pythagorean Winning% 0.36

Let's go get 'em