The Kansas City Royals decided to take a week off from playing baseball, reflect on the lives they’ve led and generally kill any positive momentum from taking eight of ten contests before their big slide.
How badly did the recent seven game losing streak suck?
Here it is in sparkline form (Black bars are games decided by more than two runs):
On May 23, the Royals stood at 19-28, on pace for 65 wins and looking like a team with a future.
After failing to play even a close game for a week, they had a 19-35 record and were once again staring down 100 losses.
We won’t examine the run differentials during the losing streak because some people read this blog over lunch.
On to the week that was.
The Draft
Royals Authority has a nice breakdown of the Royals picks from the first day of the draft.
Dayton Moore’s focus was mostly on high school pitchers. Given that the roster he put together for this season is currently running neck in neck with Texas and Cincinnati for the worst record in baseball, I think it’s fair to say that Dayton has a strong affinity for young boys.
Transactions
RIP: Angel Berroa’s Career.
While it’s true that the hack master may clear waivers and put enough balls in play at AAA to get another call up, I’m still willing to put good money on Berroa’s career with the Royals being over.
to replace the former rookie of the year.
Gathright has been an on-base machine at Omaha this year, getting on at a .456 clip. He has already stolen two bases in two games with the Royals, so it looks like Buddy Bell is planning to use his new toy often.
Joakim Soria has also returned from the disabled list. The plan for now is to have him set up closer Octavio Dotel, but if OD keeps putting 2.5 runners on for every save he gets, the young Mexican may soon find himself finishing ball games again.
John Buck
The Hardball Times has a nice look at the big catcher’s season so far. Conclusion: Buddy Bell is an idiot for sitting him two out of every five games.
