Royals Rumblings - News for September 4, 2024

Please win again, Royals.

Craig Brown wrote he was still optimistic during the losing streak.

A six-game losing streak in late August that spills over into September would, you would think, damage the chances of a contending team. That’s not necessarily the case as the Wild Card has become a war of attrition. Not only have the Royals stumbled in their last 10 games, the team closest to the Wild Card pack, the Boston Red Sox, have failed to capitalize, matching the Royals’ record. The Twins had a chance to build some distance between themselves and the Royals, but could only add a single game.

So it remains a 4.5 game cushion. Obviously, that can evaporate if the Royals remain mired in an offensive funk, but given some of the numbers I presented above, I see these most recent issues as a little regression in the extreme.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter writes that Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman could give the team an offensive lift.

Pham has a BB/K ratio of 0.41, while Grossman has a ratio of 0.64. Both those ratios would rank them in the Top 5 of Royals hitters with ten or more plate appearances this season.

Furthermore, their Decision Value+ metrics have demonstrated excellent trends throughout the season. That makes them ideal candidates for the Royals’ leadoff duties for the remainder of the year.

As Royals fans can see above, Pham has a season Decision Value+ near 120, which ranks him in the 90th percentile of the league. Grossman’s mark is above 110, which puts him above the 75th percentile. Grossman has seen a marked improvement since July after hovering near the league average in this area in June.

The Royals need that kind of decision-making from the top spot of the batting order.

Manager Matt Quatraro will return today after missing two games due to the death of his mother.

Baseball America updates their top 100 prospect list with just one Royals minor leaguer on it - Jac Caglianone at #50.

Kyle Schwarber blasts three home runs in a game for the second time this year.

The White Sox defense hits rock bottom.

Francisco Lindor reaches the 30-home run plateau for the second consecutive season.

Chris Sale reaches 200 strikeouts in a season for the eighth time in his career.

The organizations with the best outfield prospects.

Which teams have seen their playoff odds drop the furthest since the trade deadline?

Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt wants to play again next year.

The Brewers rotation is holding up despite using a lot of different starters.

Justin Verlander wants to reach 300 wins, but it is an uphill battle.

Sean Manaea is expected to opt out of his deal with the Mets this winter.

MLB and Diamond Sports are still at odds in bankruptcy court.

Florida State drops out of the top 25 after dropping their first two games.

Which team could go worst to first in the NFL?

Why company names are so hard to change.

Should we rethink fluoride in our drinking water?

The 100 best TV episodes of all-time.

Your song of the day is Barenaked Ladies with One Week.