Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2011 15:35:12 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300]Kansas City Royals (43-45) @ Cleveland Indians (46-42)[/shadow]
KC: Bryan Augenstein (5-5, 5.11 ERA)
CLE: Chris Withrow (1-1, 4.87 ERA)
In a division that nobody wants to pull away from, the Indians and Royals face off, each with very real division championship hopes despite meager records.
While the Royals are two games under .500, they've really taken off this month, winning nine of their last 11 games to pull within shouting distance of the division leading Twins. Kansas City helped its cause with four of those wins coming over the Tigers, dropping them out of first.
The Royals offense has been especially potent during their streak, scoring at least four runs in nine of their last 10 games, with an average of 7.2 runs per game during that same stretch.
Fernando Martinez has been the catalyst during the stretch, forcing himself into MVP discussions with a fantastic month of play. He's hit in his last 11 games, with multiple hits in nine of those contests. Over those 11 games, he's 26-53 with 14 runs scored, 14 runs driven in, and four home runs. He also has six doubles and a triple, and is simply tearing the ball.
This has fueled Kansas City's potent offense as the Royals have run producers behind Martinez that have feasted on his ability to get on base. Kila Ka'aihue, Billy Butler, and Mike Moustakas have all slugged at least 13 home runs and driven in at least 48 runs. With sixth hitter Mike Aviles batting .325 with 11 long balls and 42 driven in, the Royals may have the most potent middle of the order in baseball.
It'll be up to Cleveland to stop it. The Indians haven't decided if they'll keep their rotation as is and start Chris Withrow, or if they'll go back to their ace Jake Peavy. Withrow has struggled fantastically with the long ball over his short career, so the Indians may want to avoid pitching him against Kansas City at all costs.
The Indians may have to simply outscore the Royals and sinkerballer Bryan Augunstein, but it's a question mark if the Indians can win a slugfest, going 5-26 when allowing six or more runs.
Travis Ishikawa and Matt Joyce have been the only sources of consistent power and the Indians have been looking to shop them to get a more consistent bat, a sign of how anemic Cleveland's offense has been at times.
Cleveland has played good baseball this month, winning eight of their first 10 June games before dropping a pair to the Twins. Can they stop Martinez and the streaking Royals though? Tune in to the Game of the Week to find out! Special Thursday edition!
Questions for the GM's. For Marty Lee, Fernando Martinez has really blossomed into a superstar. Can you see him leading the Royals to the playoffs? If he does, can you see him winning MVP?
You have sluggers in the middle of the order. Martinez is perpetually on base. You're second in OPS. However, you're only tied for sixth in runs. Why has your offense been so inefficient this season?
Finally, you lack a clear ace at the top of the order. Do you think Augunstein, Gil Meche, and Shaun Marcum are good enough to take the Royals to the promised land?
For Matt Williams, after a storied career as a third baseman, how have you taken to General Managing your former team?
You're offense is only 9th in runs, but sources have indicated that you do not have interest in acquiring Paul Konerko or Orlando Sandoval, even though your team has hit very little from the right side of the plate (though the last time you did business with Colorado, Jose Lopez came over and has really boosted your offense). Exactly what is your strategy going into this trade deadline?
Finally, Ray Hill looks like he could be a good one, but he's struggled to hit the ball this season. How do you handle giving him experience and at bats without burning him out at a level he may not be prepared for?
KC: Bryan Augenstein (5-5, 5.11 ERA)
CLE: Chris Withrow (1-1, 4.87 ERA)
In a division that nobody wants to pull away from, the Indians and Royals face off, each with very real division championship hopes despite meager records.
While the Royals are two games under .500, they've really taken off this month, winning nine of their last 11 games to pull within shouting distance of the division leading Twins. Kansas City helped its cause with four of those wins coming over the Tigers, dropping them out of first.
The Royals offense has been especially potent during their streak, scoring at least four runs in nine of their last 10 games, with an average of 7.2 runs per game during that same stretch.
Fernando Martinez has been the catalyst during the stretch, forcing himself into MVP discussions with a fantastic month of play. He's hit in his last 11 games, with multiple hits in nine of those contests. Over those 11 games, he's 26-53 with 14 runs scored, 14 runs driven in, and four home runs. He also has six doubles and a triple, and is simply tearing the ball.
This has fueled Kansas City's potent offense as the Royals have run producers behind Martinez that have feasted on his ability to get on base. Kila Ka'aihue, Billy Butler, and Mike Moustakas have all slugged at least 13 home runs and driven in at least 48 runs. With sixth hitter Mike Aviles batting .325 with 11 long balls and 42 driven in, the Royals may have the most potent middle of the order in baseball.
It'll be up to Cleveland to stop it. The Indians haven't decided if they'll keep their rotation as is and start Chris Withrow, or if they'll go back to their ace Jake Peavy. Withrow has struggled fantastically with the long ball over his short career, so the Indians may want to avoid pitching him against Kansas City at all costs.
The Indians may have to simply outscore the Royals and sinkerballer Bryan Augunstein, but it's a question mark if the Indians can win a slugfest, going 5-26 when allowing six or more runs.
Travis Ishikawa and Matt Joyce have been the only sources of consistent power and the Indians have been looking to shop them to get a more consistent bat, a sign of how anemic Cleveland's offense has been at times.
Cleveland has played good baseball this month, winning eight of their first 10 June games before dropping a pair to the Twins. Can they stop Martinez and the streaking Royals though? Tune in to the Game of the Week to find out! Special Thursday edition!
Questions for the GM's. For Marty Lee, Fernando Martinez has really blossomed into a superstar. Can you see him leading the Royals to the playoffs? If he does, can you see him winning MVP?
You have sluggers in the middle of the order. Martinez is perpetually on base. You're second in OPS. However, you're only tied for sixth in runs. Why has your offense been so inefficient this season?
Finally, you lack a clear ace at the top of the order. Do you think Augunstein, Gil Meche, and Shaun Marcum are good enough to take the Royals to the promised land?
For Matt Williams, after a storied career as a third baseman, how have you taken to General Managing your former team?
You're offense is only 9th in runs, but sources have indicated that you do not have interest in acquiring Paul Konerko or Orlando Sandoval, even though your team has hit very little from the right side of the plate (though the last time you did business with Colorado, Jose Lopez came over and has really boosted your offense). Exactly what is your strategy going into this trade deadline?
Finally, Ray Hill looks like he could be a good one, but he's struggled to hit the ball this season. How do you handle giving him experience and at bats without burning him out at a level he may not be prepared for?