Royals

[NewtonHawk11]

Duff wearing 30 to honor Ace. Cool move.

Yes? But it's also (characteristically, I guess) quite aloof of Duffy.

Duffy spoke about it. Santana wanted 41. Duffy said he wasn't tied to a number so he was good with whatever. Ace's number was just put back up for use this year, so he wanted to do it. Spoke with his family about it and they said yes.

[NewtonHawk11]

Full squad reports today.

Excited for sure.

[Sparko]

Bring on baseball!

[CrimsonNBlue]

Kelvin Herrera retires.

I hope the importance of the dominant bullpen in the WS runs is never overlooked. They stop well short without it.

2014
Herrera/Davis/Holland: 23 IP, 5 ER

2015
Hoch/Herrera/Wade: 35 IP, 1 ER

[pdub]

They were nasty.

[NewtonHawk11]

Dozier 4 year 25M extension. Option for 5th year at 10M.

Still just 29. Good versatility guy that can play RF, 1B and 3B. Really showing some good abilities at the plate over last 2 years.

[pdub]

Like it.

[NewtonHawk11]

Beat the Rangers 3-2. Get ready for the parade

On a side note, does Ervin Santana have any chance to make opening day roster. Pitched well yesterday. Did well in winter ball in the Dominican. Velocity is there.

[NewtonHawk11]

Royals have an interesting starting rotation dilemma. Some guys trying to hang on. Duffy, Minor, Santana and Hahn. While others are young and breaking through, Junis, Keller, Singer, Bubic, Kowar and Lynch.

Back end of bullpen could be really good too with Zimmer, Barlow, Davis, Holland, Staumont.

Think Royals could easily be the 2nd best in the AL Central. Just cannot have the typical cold streak in May.

[pdub]

77-85

[jfish26]

Royals have an interesting starting rotation dilemma. Some guys trying to hang on. Duffy, Minor, Santana and Hahn. While others are young and breaking through, Junis, Keller, Singer, Bubic, Kowar and Lynch.

Back end of bullpen could be really good too with Zimmer, Barlow, Davis, Holland, Staumont.

Think Royals could easily be the 2nd best in the AL Central. Just cannot have the typical cold streak in May.

Can I take the over at 77, understanding it'll be prorated downward for Covid cancellations?

On the rotation, it's a game of load management. The big question - and no one, especially not Tom Verducci, knows the answer - is what is the responsible workload this summer for the young arms?

I can't imagine you'll see Lacy throw more than 120 innings. Where do you stop the other young guys? 120? 150? 180? No limit?

In any case, the Royals are smart to have guys like Santana and Duffy around to take lumps (Minor should be a bit better than that), so as to soak up innings and give you options with the young guys.

[NewtonHawk11]

I'd also take the over 77.

[Sparko]

I am pretty optimistic getting over .500 with a healthy pitching staff. The team was turning it around at the end last year. Could use one more consistent doubles hitter.

[NewtonHawk11]

Up to 10K allowed at Kauffman this year in pod seating.

Could expand monthly.

[Sparko]

Dyson back. Whit in RF permanently. Lopez hitting to contact. Excited to see this team gel.

[NewtonHawk11]

I don't think Dyson is going to be much of a factor honestly.

I think Olivares has the backup CF spot on lockdown. He's 25, has speed, some power, had a good OBP in 18 games last year for KC.

[pdub]

[Sparko]

Dyson can mime eating soup too until he is pinch running. . . .

[CrimsonNBlue]

Here, let sports make you happy again:

[CrimsonNBlue]

That's at least 2 HR for him this spring: