Thursday: 2-2, 0 units
KC -1 (-117) 3 units.
KC -1/2 . One unit
KC RL (+125).One unit. Scott Kazmir is a desperation move by the Indians due to injuries in their rotation. He's actually worse than Brett Myers. Kazmir, a few years ago, had a mid 90s fastball and a deadly slider. After his last major injury, those are gone along with his control. His fastball now sits in the 80s, and his slider is also slower with less command. In his last start he threw about 45% strikes, and was really off the plate on many pitches. His 4 seamer didn't have much if any sink, and if hitters lay off his slider, with his command, hitters are liable to get either many walks and/or meatballs when Kazmir is desperate for a strike. Santana, on the other hand, has reclaimed his slider, which has the downward movement and speed of his best years on the Angels. His velocity is also back. He is loving his newfound life in KC, and is looking like a #1 or #2. The Royals are coming off a very big win over the Tigers and Verlander in Detroit- scoring 5 runs in extra innings. They also won a doubleheader in Fenway Sunday. These might not be the old Royals. Coming home after games like that can get players pumped up for a homestand and bring better crowds. The Royals, with Holland now again dominating, have an excellent bullpen. Another reason to love this game is the Indians' lack of run production. Take out their 19 runs last week in a Houston game, and they have been pathetic at the plate. With Bourn out, the top and bottom of their lineup is without any run producers. Cleveland only seems to hit vs. weak pitching like Humber.
KC -1 (-117) 3 units.
KC -1/2 . One unit
KC RL (+125).One unit. Scott Kazmir is a desperation move by the Indians due to injuries in their rotation. He's actually worse than Brett Myers. Kazmir, a few years ago, had a mid 90s fastball and a deadly slider. After his last major injury, those are gone along with his control. His fastball now sits in the 80s, and his slider is also slower with less command. In his last start he threw about 45% strikes, and was really off the plate on many pitches. His 4 seamer didn't have much if any sink, and if hitters lay off his slider, with his command, hitters are liable to get either many walks and/or meatballs when Kazmir is desperate for a strike. Santana, on the other hand, has reclaimed his slider, which has the downward movement and speed of his best years on the Angels. His velocity is also back. He is loving his newfound life in KC, and is looking like a #1 or #2. The Royals are coming off a very big win over the Tigers and Verlander in Detroit- scoring 5 runs in extra innings. They also won a doubleheader in Fenway Sunday. These might not be the old Royals. Coming home after games like that can get players pumped up for a homestand and bring better crowds. The Royals, with Holland now again dominating, have an excellent bullpen. Another reason to love this game is the Indians' lack of run production. Take out their 19 runs last week in a Houston game, and they have been pathetic at the plate. With Bourn out, the top and bottom of their lineup is without any run producers. Cleveland only seems to hit vs. weak pitching like Humber.