Game One of the 2015 World Series

This was one for the ages and I am glad to say that I was in attendance. I knew that this series would be close, but U did not expect 14 innings. That being said, I was pretty sure that this game would never end after the 11th.

The rain finally stopped during the first few innings, but it was like this all day.

 Packed house.



The game winning at bat.

The 2015 MLB Postseason Has Not Disappointed

From the pitching to the lack of pitching, the 2015 playoffs have been one of the most enjoyable in years. Baseball always proves that you never know what will happen from one year to the next. Last year the Royals were basically the Astros. The Cubs were losers who were years off. The Mets were also years away from contention. Who will make it to the World Series?

Spring training is here!

What a great week, snow on the ground and I can dream about the upcoming baseball season by watch MLBTV. I look forward to blogging about baseball once again this year!

K.C. Once Again Looks To James Shields In Game 5

It's been a familiar theme for the Royals this year. There's a key game in a series and James Shields has the ball in his hand. When they traded for Shields a game like tonight's was a far off dream, one that most did not even dare share that they dream t. For the Royals it has now become a reality, but there seem to be questions if this is the same 'big game James'. After a rough playoffs this year, Shields can redeem himself on the biggest stage. With everything riding on he start tonight I think Shields will regain his form and bring the Royals within a game on the Championship. Shields realizes that chances to get a ring are rare and will once again show why the Royals traded for him.

Royals kick off the Wold Series at home

The amazing run of the Royals continues tonight against the San Francisco Giants. After a 5 day layoff the team looks to continue it's 8 game winning streak. Both teams enter the World Series on a high note after exciting series's against Baltimore and St. Louis. Throughout the post season the Royals have used their amazing speed and defense to grind out win after win, look for more of the same. The Giants have had timely hit after timely hit to help make up for defensive mistakes. So, who has the advantage?

The Royals seem to have the media, fans and country on their side. Everyone likes an underdog, but are they really an underdog? While fundamental baseball vanished from the game during the steroid era, it was alive and well in K.C., mainly due to financial constraints. Ironically, it is these fundamentals will lead they to a World Series championship this year. What I'm seeing is a Royals victory in game 5 or 6. We will continue to see more of the same 1 run victories and the veteran Giants will hit the same brick wall as the A's, Angels and Orioles.

Royals head into game three of the ALCS

After gutting out two wins in Baltimore, the Kansas City Royals will have three home games to win two, and advance to the World Series. This has been a most improbable run, but the team has grown up quick. Most thought that the Royals would just be happy with making the playoffs, or beating the A's, or beating the Angels. That has clearly not been the case. The Royals should be able to continue their run with Jeremy Guthrie on the hill tonight. He has been almost as good as James Shields in games like this and there is no reason for him to not show up. If they can close out Baltimore it may be the biggest upset since the Miracle Met's, who ironically beat the O's in 1969.

Royals head to Baltimore

The Royals have really gotten the most out of their first post season in 29 years. They looked more like the New York Yankees than the Royals in dismantling the Angels. As the team moves on to Baltimore to play the Orioles anything is possible. In the playoffs deep bullpen pitching can make up for a lack of offense. Just look at what the San Francisco Giants have been able to do. So, as this series starts I expect it to be even more thrilling than the A's and Angel's games. This Royals team has shown that they will not back down. While Baltimore is just as hot of a team, I think the Royals bullpen edge will let them take this series. It may be a 7 game series, what else would you expect in this crazy Royals season.

Big Game James Takes The Ball For K.C. In The Playoffs

So the Royals made the playoffs, now what? It would be easy to be content with just making the playoffs after 29 years, and I'm sure a few fans are, but with a pitching staff and bullpen like the Royals have they could actually make a run. Playoff baseball games are usually low scoring games that come down to solid defense and having the right people in the bullpen. They Royals have used this formula all year, and with James Shields on the mound they should only have to use the big 3 in their bullpen. Once again Royals will need to do what got them here. Speed, defense and pitching. Tonight may be a flashback to 1980's National League baseball full of singles. doubles and stolen bases. Jon Lester will be tough, but if they go in with a game plan to just get singles they will have a shot. With Big Game James on the mound the Royals should be able to shock the world and show the A's what money ball is all about.

Royals need to finish off this playoff run

With just under two weeks left in the season, the Kansas City Royals are on the verge of snapping the longest playoff drought in major league baseball. This team, which is made up mostly of homegrown talent, have too much invested in this run to not make the playoffs. The city has also been loyal through out the years as the team has struggled to compete against big markets. To finally break this streak would be the story of the year in baseball.

So, how will they do it? They need to do the things that got them where they are at. Pitching, defense and speed. James Shields needs someone else to step up and be another dominating starter. Since the bullpen looks full proof, the Royals just need a little more starting pitching. At the plate they will need to get back to hitting doubles and stealing bases. They have tried to insert some power into this lineup, but it may not be what they need. If they can put all of these things together it will be an historic run that Royal fans will obviously never forget.

Royals Off Track After 10 Game Winning Streak

This is the thing that I hate about winning streaks in baseball. Inevitably the team comes back down to earth and things even out. For the Royals, they have followed up 10 straight wins by going 3-7. After splitting the first two games of their series with the Angels, they find themselves in almost a must win for this time of year. They really need to get back to winning series and not fluctuating back and forth with streaks. In the long run consistent play will get them back into the division lead.

Yoenis Cespedes Shows Off His Arm

Yoenis Cespedes has had pretty quite year so far, but his throw last night will be one that people will talk about forever. If you have not seen this I have included a link to the video below. This guy is a true 5 tool player.


Yoenis Cespedes throw

Hanley Ramirez Has a Monster Night

It was almost unfair for the Pirates last night. Hanley Ramirez took a big step towards coming out of a season long slump by going 4-4 with 2 homers and 5 rbi's. When he is rolling, Ramirez has one of the best swings in the league. One that creates fear in opposing pitching staffs. For some reason he does hit bad stretches where some have questioned his work ethic (mostly while he was in Florida). If he can continue to raise his batting average things could go very well for L.A.

How Are The Blue Jays Doing It?

Look who's at the top of the A.L. East, the Toronto Blue Jays. I'm sue most writers picked the Jays to be a last place team in this division, that's not a bad thing though, most had the Red Sox in the same position last year. To this point the only player that has had a stand out year has been Mark Buehrle, his 8-1 record has given them their over .500 record. On the offensive side of things Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista are both well into double digit home runs already, but in the A.L. there are a few teams that can usually have that on their resume. The real question is if this team is built for the long haul of the season. With no other really dominate pitchers I think they are going to hit a rough patch where they won't be able to rely on offensive out bursts. We will see, remember it's still May.

Zack Greinke and the L.A. Dodgers

Zack Greinke continues to impress this year by shutting down the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks for his seventh win of the year. When this guy puts things together he can really go on streaks where he's almost untouchable. Despite all of the things that have been going on with the team, Greinke has kept his composure and really turned into a leader. We might be in for a dog fight in the west this years with most of the teams improving their roster. Any series between the Dodgers and Giants this summer will be must a must watch. If Greinke can keep up this pace he could make a real run at a 20 plus win season. Maybe another CY Young Award?  

Mike Moustakas Shows Signs Of Life

Mike Moustakas finally came through with some clutch hitting today by going 2-3 with 3 rbi's. It has been a disastrous start to the year for Moustakas who is now hitting .161, It also seems like the Royals are considering other options as they have played Danny Valencia at third a number of times this year. On a positive note, the team has now started to hit. They may have gotten back on track now after it seemed like it would be another losing May. For this team to make a run though, they will need production from third base, it's a must. If Moustakas can turn things around he is their man. If not I get the sense that the team may trade for some power and a better average.

Eric Hosmer Is Playing Like An All-Star

Last year Eric Hosmer started off very slow and then exploded in the second half of the season. The way that he is started this year, he might be in contention for an MVP if the Royals make a run. It has been great to watch Hosmer evolve over the past few years. There were times when his swing just wasn't there and times when he lacked confidence at the plate. It is clear that he has matured and grown into a patience and pronounced presence at the plate. What makes this even better, is that he has evolved as a fielder as well. His gold glove last season may be the first of many to come. He has saved countless runs with his picks at first base. After a 8-0 blowout today, maybe the Royals can also get back to full form. Check out his 2014 Topps baseball card below.


                                                   

It's Time To Call Up Anthony Seratelli

The Met's knew that they had issues at shortstop before the season, so it's no surprise that there has been very little offensive productivity through the first month of the season. Ruben Tejada has to be very close to being traded, released or sent down. Omar Quintanilla has been 'ok', but far from what the Met's need to compete. At ethis point the Met's really need to take a look at Anthony Seratelli. Seratelli is hitting .326 for AAA Las Vegas and has been a consistent minor leaguer for almost a decade (he has never played in the majors). He was also one of the last players cut at the end of spring training and showed the team that he could be productive. Seratelli may not be the Met's short stop of the future, but his energy could boost the Met's and get them back on the right track. Also, it would be a pretty cool story for this guy to finally make it to the majors. Here is a link to a great piece about his journey through the minors. It seems to be only a matter of time.

Ike Davis Traded To The Pirates

Well, everyone knew that this was coming at some point. It's a good thing that it was handled early in the season because situations like this can get very ugly, especially in New York. On the flip side of things, Ike Davis was a class act and was a good Met. Looking forward, Lucas Duda will now have to prove why he won the first base job. He is off to a productive start and having Josh Satin play against lefties will help him even more. On another note, the Met's as a team really need to improve on the amount of strikeouts they have at the plate. I know Duda will strikeout around 140 times this year, but with Davis moving on the team just got ride of an additional 100 at least.

The Mets Have To Be Glad To Be Out Of L.A.

Boy, that series turned really ugly fast. Bartolo Colon looked like a batting practice pitcher who was selected to throw to someone in the home run derby contest. I really hope this was just a case of a pitcher going back to his old league and the team just knew him that well. Pitchers have bad days, but when thy are over 40 it makes you wonder if they have just lost their stuff. I'm glad that David Wright and Daniel Murphy showed some heart and got kicked out. If I was them I wouldn't have wanted to stick around for the rest of that game either. Things should go better for the team tonight as they face Arizona who has had an even worse start than the Mets.

The Royals Are Picking Up Where They Left Off Last Year

In the American League a strong bullpen will get you very far. Last year the Royals had one of the best ones in decades. After a slow first series to the season, the bullpen (sans Wade Davis) and the rest of the team seem to be back on track. When you had the ball to Greg Holland you can sit back, relax and make your dinner plans. This guy is in his prime and a master on the mound under high pressure situations. I'm also liking Alex Gordon batting behind Billy Butler. You can just see the better pitches Butler is now seeing. As the season progresses we will see if the numbers back this up. If the Royals can get the sweep today it would cap a great home start to their year.