Royals - Stretch run 2014

[RoyalShock]

KC has it's largest division lead after the all-star break in over a decade. They are playing extremely well, having won their 8th series in a row for the first time since 1991. ESPN has their playoff chances at 75%. Since that stretch around the all-star break where they went 1-7, they are 21-5.

And now they get five games against the two worst teams in baseball (Colorado, Texas), followed by a 10-game homestand. If the Royals can go 10-5 in that span, they'll be 19 games over .500 and in good shape not just for the playoffs, but the division title.

[WuShock16]

If the Royals do what you say and are 79-60 after the stretch you mentioned, they might be awfully close to the discussion for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. There are 23 games to be played for the rest of the season between the Angels, A's, and Mariners. If those three beat each other up and if the Royals can continue to stay hot through the soft part of their schedule, it's not unreasonable to think that the Royals could challenge for the best AL record. The Royals are only 4.5 games behind the Angels right now...2.5 behind Baltimore.

[Dave Stalwart]

How did this happen? Is it Alex Smith's presence in KC?

[RoyalShock]

How did this happen? Is it Alex Smith's presence in KC?

SungWoo Lee

Or was it Kung Wu Pee? . . . I forget.

[Play Angry]

This is a lot of fun to watch.

[RoyalShock]

Today I did some looking at KC and Detroit's schedule. If KC can do this:

Royals - Aug 19 Record: 69-55
38 games remain

Go 10-5 in next 15: Record of 79-60
2 @ COL : 1-1
3 @ TEX : 2-1
1 vs NYY: 1-0
3 vs MIN: 2-1
3 vs CLE: 2-1
3 vs TEX: 2-1

23 remaining games (* 3-3 vs DET):
3 @ NYY : 2-1
3 @ DET : 1-2 *
4 vs BOS: 2-2
3 vs CHW: 2-1
3 vs DET: 2-1 *
3 @ CLE : 2-1
4 @ CHW : 2-2

13-10 for final record of 92-70, which should be enough for the wildcard and possibly the division title. Just keep dominating weaker teams over the next 15 games (going 10-5), then come back to earth for a stretch of 13-10, and it's playoffs, baby!

Here is how a scenario for Detroit that would give KC the division:

Detroit August 19 record: 66-56

Remaining series (40 games, projecting to go 25-15):
3 @ TB : 2-1
4 @ MIN : 3-1
3 vs NYY: 2-1
4 @ CHW : 3-1
4 @ CLE : 2-2
3 vs SF : 1-2
3 vs KC : 2-1
3 vs CLE: 2-1
3 @ MIN : 2-1
3 @ KC : 1-2
3 vs CHW: 2-1
4 vs MIN: 3-1

Detroit final record: 91-71

Going as expected after tonights games. Odirizzi needs to out-duel Porcello tomorrow for us.

[RoyalShock]

Are the Tigers on the verge of imploding? They lose 1-0 when their starter throws a 1-hit complete game. Follow that by letting the Twins score 20 runs (their hurlers threw 214 pitches), and are now down 9-4 in the first game of a double-header, and 144 pitches through 6. That's 358 pitches in a day and a half, with another 2+ games in the next day and a half.

Go Royals!

[1972Shocker]

Are the Tigers on the verge of imploding? They lose 1-0 when their starter throws a 1-hit complete game. Follow that by letting the Twins score 20 runs (their hurlers threw 214 pitches), and are now down 9-4 in the first game of a double-header, and 144 pitches through 6. That's 358 pitches in a day and a half, with another 2+ games in the next day and a half.

Go Royals!

That is an unbelievable number of pitches. I wonder what the record is for most pitches in a game by one team and most pitches in 2 consecutive games by one team? Especially if you only count regulation 9-inning games.

[1972Shocker]

The Tigers are now at 175 pitches in 7 innings. They probably won't hit 200 again today but that is only because they are on the road and will only have to pitch 8 innings. Yesterday Detroit used 8 pitchers in the 8 innings pitched and averaged 26.75 pitches per inning.

The Tigers only needed a oh so efficient 184 pitches today to get through 8 innings. The 9 pitch 8th inning by Kyle Lobstein kept the 2-game total under 400 (at 398).

More importantly the Tigers lose 12-4 in Game 1 of a DH at Minnesota and the Twins may be feeling it a little after putting up 32 runs in the past 2 games against the Tigers. Justin Verlander will start the 2nd game of the DH after missing his last start due to soreness in his shoulder. Verlander certainly has not been at the top of his game this year but he is a bit of bulldog so we'll see if he can will the Tigers to a win.

[shockmonster]

I must admit that my prediction of a continued roller coaster ride for the Royals has not come to pass. They have continued to build and when they have lost, they have bounced back quickly. Fever's been wrong too but I think that he will continue to wait to admit error, hoping that the Royals will fail in the end (which they still might) although I have a feeling that they will be in it until the end.

[ShockerFever]

I must admit that my prediction of a continued roller coaster ride for the Royals has not come to pass. They have continued to build and when they have lost, they have bounced back quickly. Fever's been wrong too but I think that he will continue to wait to admit error, hoping that the Royals will fail in the end (which they still might) although I have a feeling that they will be in it until the end.

I may end up being wrong and will have no problem admitting as such when the time comes. However, there also weren't any Royal fans disputing me at the time the prediction was made or making predictions themselves that the Royals would be division champs.

Still a lot of ball to be played.

Nice to see DJ go out on a winning note in KC tonight.

[shockmonster]

Jeter is a great player and future HOFamer and uhoh the Royals lost two in a row. They may lose the next few or maybe they'll continue to pitch, play defense and get enough timely hits to win some more games. We'll see.

[MoValley John]

I'm not a Royals fan but this clip almost makes me want to root for them.

http://youtu.be/PseNrUeSmXk

[wufan]

I'm not a Royals fan but this clip almost makes me want to root for them.

http://youtu.be/PseNrUeSmXk

I'm a huge George Brett fan, but I have heard he's a total ass.

[wufan]

Alex Gordon hits a 2 run homer in the bottom of the ninth to win the game 2-1!