Yardbarker: Kansas City Royals

There’s Nothing Better To Cure What Ail’s Ya’ Than A Series With The Royals

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:16:47 -0500

Every time I think the Tigers have proven they have no chance of making a postseason run they come out with a stellar performance that makes them look like a championship contender. Sure, their latest superb performance may have come against the lowly Royals, but a three-game sweep in which you outscore your opponents 33-6 [...]

Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day - 7/24/08

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:23:28 -0500

Thursday, July 24th Ryan Braun went 4 for 4 with a HR and 2 RBI. Eric Brunlett, Marco Scutaro, Adam Lind, Jorge Cantu, J.J. Hardy, and Jason Barlett each had 3 Hits. Nate McLouth had 3 RBI. Matt Cain threw a four-hit Complete Game Shutout to improve to 6-8 with a 3.82 ERA. Tim Redding gave up 1 Run in 8 Innings with 5 Ks, but took the Loss. Roy Halladay gave up 1 Run in 7 Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 12-7 with a 2.82 ERA. Oliver Perez struck out 12 while allowing 1 Run in a 7-2/3 Inning no-decision. Jamie Moyer (7 Innings, 1 Run, 2 Hits, 6 Ks) also got a no-decision. A.J. Burnett gave up 1 Run in 5 Innings with 7 Ks to improve to 11-9. Yoslan Herrera tossed 6 scoreless Innings for his first career Win. Carlos Zambrano gave up 2 Runs in 7 Innings with 6 Ks to improve to 11-4 with a 2.96 ERA. Gil Meche pitched 7 scoreless Innings allowing 5 Hits to improve to 8-9.

Joey Gathright- Singles Hitter

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:08:48 -0500

Joey Gathright of the Kansas City Royals may have speed, but that's it. He doesn't get on base (.302% of the time) and all he hits are singles (62 hits and 59 of them singles, for a .267 slugging %). For the full rundown on the ugliness of Joey Gathright click on the URL.

AccuScore Closer Report - 7/23

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:51:08 -0500

With the trade deadline looming and injuries to several players, bullpen situations remain in flux throughout baseball. Jonathan Lee takes a look at recent moves and ranks all of MLB's closers.

ESPN Classic To Air HOF Induction Ceremony Sunday

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:03:45 -0500

If the Marlins and Cubs just isn't doing it for you this Sunday afternoon you can head over to ESPN Classic. ESPN3 will be airing the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in its entirety starting at 1:30pm....

The 2008 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be televised live Sunday on ESPN Classic from 1:30-4:30 p.m., ET. Rich "Goose" Gossage, Bowie Kuhn, Walter O'Malley, Dick Williams, Barney Dreyfuss and Billy Southworth will be inducted.

Brian Kenny and Tim Kurkjian will cover the ceremonies on ESPN Classic. ESPN2 will present an edited version of the induction ceremonies on Monday at 8 p.m., ET, followed by a roundtable special with Kenny, Gossage and Dick Williams at 9 p.m., ET.

Following the ceremonies, ESPN Classic will re-air two games featuring Gossage:

- 4:30-5:30- the 1978 World Series Game 6. Yankees vs. Dodgers. Gossage pitches the final two innings as the Yankees win the World Series.
- 5:30-6:30- the "Pine Tar" game. 1983 Yankees vs. Royals. George Brett's two-run home run off of Gossage was denied by the umpires, setting off one of baseball's most memorable moments.

I suggest actually watching the edited version on ESPN2 if you're not a fan of either player because the thing seriously drags on at times. Last year's induction of Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken seemed like it was nine hours long....and I'm an O's fan. The Gossage speech should provide plenty of tears though, and I'm a sucker for grown men sobbing.

(Via ESPN PR)

Mets Bounce Back

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:36:44 -0500

Welcome back, Billy Wagner. There were no ninth-inning meltdowns, fireworks or ulcers in last night's game. The Mets shrugged off Tuesday's loss by defeating the Phillies, 6-3, so routinely it seemed like an old Seattle Pilots–Washington Senators matchup. They're back in a tie for first place, and have an 8-4 record against the Phillies so far this season. Jose Reyes had the big blast, hitting a three-run homer (his 11th of the season) off Ryan Madson in the sixth, breaking a 3-3 tie. The Mets scored two runs in the first when Brett Myers walked four batters in a row and Marlon Anderson grounded out to drive in a run. They added a run in the third on a Damion Easley infield single (Easley had three infield hits, after getting hit by two pitches the night before?he's due to get struck by lightning today). Carlos Delgado (two walks, HBP, single) moved up in the order, batting cleanup. He was so happy that he logged an extra-long entry in his diary, even including a few smiley faces. And he taunted Carlos Beltran about it the whole game. Speaking of Beltran, why was he bunting in the eighth inning with runners on first and second and no outs? Swing the bat, Carlos. You're just leaving it to your teammates to get the job done (in this case, Robinson Cancel, who grounded out without getting a run home). In all, the Mets left 13 runners on base, and were three for 13 with runners in scoring position. They left the bases loaded in the third and seventh innings, and stranded runners on second and third in the eighth. They could have easily blown this game wide open. And Marlon Anderson looks completely dumbfounded at the plate, and he's so lost out in left field, on one fly ball he pulled a map out of his back pocket and asked a fan for directions to the ball. It was a nice, solid comeback game for John Maine. He went seven innings (for the first time since May 7th), giving up three runs, six hits, two walks and struck out five. His control was much better than in recent starts, as he attacked the strike zone all game. Myers, on the other hand, was all over the place, having no idea where the strike zone was. He only lasted five innings, walking five and giving up three runs. Maybe he was called up from the minors too soon?he's only 27, after all. Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith pitched a scoreless eighth. And Billy Wagner returned, putting the Mets bullpen world back on its axis. He threw a one-two-three ninth, and he and Delgado combined on a nice play at first to get Shane Victorino for the first out of the inning. The two teams are back at Shea this afternoon at 12:10 for the rubber match of the series. Jamie Moyer takes on Oliver Perez.

Salomon Torres & The Milwaukee Brewers

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:45:11 -0500

Roll out the barrel. We'll have a barrel of fun. Roll out the barrel. We've got the blues on the run. The Beermakers. The Brew Crew. Harvey's Wallbangers. EX-Milwaukee Brewer Manager Dave Bristol once said: "There'll be two buses leaving the hotel for the park tomorrow. The two o'clock bus will be for those of you who need a little extra work. The empty bus will leave at five o'clock." These days, that five o'clock bus should have a few more passengers. A few more giving it the gassengers. A few more first classengers. Continue reading here:

MLB Injury Extra: Replacements - Week 17

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:40:26 -0500

Screaming Sports' Drew Thibodeau breaks out another Screaming Sports original. With so many valuable fantasy studs going down with injury, Drew decided it was time to take a look at several replacements. So if you're one of the many fantasy GM's who have been ravaged by injury, then this piece is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Game 101: Tigers at Royals

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:09:45 -0500

PREGAME: The Tigers have now scored 500 runs on the season - exactly. That's only 19 games later than expected by many. The Tigers also come into today's game at 2 games over .500. That's been their highwater mark for the season. It's a mark they first reached on July 2nd, [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Game 101: Tigers at Royals", url: "http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-101-tigers-at-royals/" });

FOX Fantasy Baseball: Ride out Iannetta's streak

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:51:57 -0500

Mike Jacobs isn't hitting many home runs lately, but he's keeping his batting average at a solid level, notes Mike Harmon. See who else you should pick up on the waiver wire, including Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta, who is available in 81% of Foxsports.com fantasy leagues.

MLB Free Agent Specialty - Week 17

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:32:54 -0500

Not quite like Waiver Wire, this piece examines potentially available players that focus on a specific category. If you need some power, we have a suggestion. If you need some speed, we have a suggestion. If you need some K's, we have a suggestion. Unfortunately, these players will not help your fantasy team (most of the time) outside of the category they are listed.

MLB Waiver Wire - Week 17

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:26:29 -0500

Screaming Sports' Andrew Thibodeau breaks out the MLB Waiver Wire and runs downs a list of five potential fantasy studs. If you're looking for that extra edge this week and beyond, then this gem is for you.

Game 100: Tigers at Royals

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:12:11 -0500

PREGAME: The Tigers will try and score some more runs, providing they aren't too tired from circling the bases last night. They won't have Jimmy Gobble to beat up because he's now on the DL. The Tigers are facing Kyle Davies who they have a tangential relationship with. The Royals decided [...]SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Game 100: Tigers at Royals", url: "http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/07/game-100-tigers-at-royals/" });

Along Came Paulie, Away Went Lead

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:52:35 -0500

The White Sox went 13-6 while Paul Konerko was on the disabled list for the better part of last month. Since he has returned, the Sox have stumbled to a 4-6 record against the Royals and Rangers. I cannot accept this as merely a coincidence. The fact is that the Sox have a better lineup right now, both [...]

Feldman's Strong Effort Punctuates Rangers' 6-1 Victory In Chicago

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:02:33 -0500

Former 30th-round pick Scott Feldman bails out the ill-prepared Texas Rangers yet again with a quality start - one that he was never supposed to make.