The Royals might win on Sunday to take two of three from the Atlanta Braves and, by and large, all of us will be disappointed. That seems crazy and I am sure that will be pointed out by the sophisticate elite on social media at some point during the day, but this was the Braves after all and the Royals needed to get some mojo back. I am not sure two out of three at home against a team that will lose 100 games this year even begins to get that accomplished.
Speaking of elite, I am apparently too old to be in the know. The people I thought were the Twitter elite were calling other people elite, so I don’t know what the hell is going on. Actually, I do: I know silly when I see it. Beside, the world needs a place where suggesting an intentional walk is a bad idea inspires anger.
Back on the field, we learned during Saturday’s television broadcast that Cheslor Cuthbert is getting some practice time at second base. The Royals flirted with the idea of Cuthbert at second a few years back, but nothing much ever came of it. One can read too much into just about anything, but this certainly seems to be another indicator – along with Christian Colon getting more and more starts at second – that Omar Infante may not spend much of the summer in Kansas City.
The other problem spot in the lineup, at least when talking about problems the Royals may not be content to wait out, is rightfield. Jarrod Dyson has failed to parlay a fast start into any sort of consistency and Paulo Orlando kind of is what he is. If the rest of the lineup was hitting as they sometimes can, what those two provide in right would be fine, but that is not the case. With the two hottest hitters in Triple-A happening to be capable rightfielders, you wonder how long the Royals’ patience will last. Especially, when Brett Eibner and Jorge Bonifacio bring one thing Dyson and Orlando do not: power.
Moving back off the field, the Royals ran afoul of the major league drug police this week when Raul Mondesi was suspended for 50 games. His story generates some sympathy around here, but I doubt we would have the same for a player from outside the organization. Honest mistake? Quite possibly, but I am pretty sure the organization’s medical staff answers the phone when they see Mondesi’s number on the caller id. There really is no excuse for not doing a quick check before taking cold medication when your job depends on it.
Fun facts (or not) time.
- Kendrys Morales has the 10th worst batting average in baseball among qualified hitters. He sits in close proximity to Troy Tulowitzki, Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols.
- Quick! Name the major league leader in slugging. If you said Aledmys Diaz, you cheated (but you are right).
- Not too long ago, Alex Gordon was competing with Justin Upton for the lead in most strikeouts. Gordon now has his strikeout percentage down under 30%, but Upton continues to be going strong (38.5%).
- Everyone has problems. Well, not the Cubs, but everyone else.
The season is rolling up to being one-quarter of the way over. That means those of you whose company line is ‘they won the World Series last year, who are you to question them’ are running out of time. Go ahead, get it out of your system the next couple of weeks, because after then such a mindset is less calm and rational and more resting on one’s laurels.