MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

[Stars and Crowns]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

ROYALS WIN SERIES VS WHITE SOX

Game one:
WP: C. Rodon (5-3)
LP: J. Junis (3-1)

Brady Singer was slotted to start the series opener vs the Chicago White Sox, but in pregame warmups didn’t feel quite right so was scratched and pushed back a day. Jakob Junis would make the spot start. He would give the Royals a great start all things considering, going five innings allowing just two runs, both solo HRs to Luis Robert.

Carlos Rodon was special however, striking out 9 Royals batters in his 6.2 innings, allowing one run.

With the Royals down 2-1, Tyler Zuber would make his season debut. He ran into trouble by loading the bases with one out, but struck out Andrew Vaughn. Needing just one out to get out of it, he worked a 2-2 count against Zack Collins. Trying to throw a fast ball up and out of the zone, he missed and it caught to much of the plate and was hit out to deep RF for a grand slam. The Royals couldn’t match the Sox offensively and fell 7-2.

Game two:
WP: B. Singer (2-2)
LP: D. Keuchel (3-4)

The Royals were able to ambush Keuchel early in the game, pushing across five runs in the first 3 innings, punctuated by two HRs (Soler and Dozier). This time it was the Sox who were stifled scoring only twice, once on an rbi single from Adam Eaton, and once by error (Cam Gallagher).

Game three:
WP: B. Keller (5-2)
LP: D. Cease (0-4)
S: J. Staumont 7

This was a wild game. Dylan Cease made it only two innings, and threw 82 pitches.

He faced 12 batters in those two innings, but the White Sox fielders only recorded one of the six outs. Cease walked five, struck out five, and hit a batter. Andrew Benintendi came through with a two out single in the second to put the Royals up 2-0.

In the bottom of the second Brad Keller allowed a Yermin Mercedes HR to trim it to a 2-1 Royals lead.

In the sixth, Ryan O’Hearn would add a run with a solo HR, but that was matched by a Jose Abreu rbi double.

The Royals would turn to a recently shaky bullpen, but they recorded the last 10 outs, 8 by way of strikeout, and the Royals win 3-2.

The Royals are now 24-16, tied with the Twins atop the division, and 1.5 ahead the the White Sox. They will now return home to face the Brewers for a quick two game set before hosting the Tigers for three games.

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

2021 Baltimore Orioles August 2nd-August 4th

Overall record:62-46 (2nd AL EAST)

Yankees take two of three in New York.
The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees have been fighting for the top spot in the AL EAST all season and the first series of August for both teams clearly showed that New York is the better team. No one really believed Baltimore was more talented than the Yankees but the Orioles have exceeded expectations so far this year.

The Orioles have struggled on offense throughout the year and in fact are last in the MLB in hits (844) and 28th in team batting average (.240). The team had seen an uptick in offense since the all star break but this series in New York brought them back to reality.

Game one saw Baltimore pull out a surprising victory despite only achieving five hits as a team. The team's pitchers were also able to hold the Yankees to two runs while homeruns from Rio Ruiz and Anthony Santander in the 7th and 9th innings gave Baltimore enough run (3) for the victory.

Game two saw another sad offensive performance by the Orioles as the lineup only managed three hits one of whichw as another Rio Ruiz homerun. Despite his efforts, New York won 3-2.

Game three was a chance for Dean Kremer to build off his near perfect game in his last start instead, he last just two innings while he gave up seven hits and six runs. Adam Plutko relived him and promptly gave up three of his own runs. The offense tried to rally back with four runs in between the 7th and 8th inning but it was too little too late as the Yankees won 9-5. Rio Ruiz did have his third homer of series and the team had eleven hits but it was not enough.

In game one, bull pen arm, Paul Fry was hit in the head by a bouncer back to the mound. He suffered a head contusion and was placed on the 15 day IL. Shawn Armstrong was recalled from Norfolok to fill his spot until his return.

The Orioles will return to Baltimore for a three game series vs. The Rays.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals sweep Rockies

The Cardinals (22-9) bounced back from losing their series with the Cubs, by sweeping the first place Rockies to begin the week.

The Cardinals dominated this series, outscoring the Rockies 34-6 over the 3 game series, which including them not only handing Noah Syndergaard his first loss and hitting the first homeruns (3) off of him this season, but they knocked him out after just 1 1/3 innings, putting up 8 runs on 8 hits including 3 homeruns, in the second game of the series.

The Cardinals totaled 10 homeruns in the 3 game series that felt as though it was a series in Colorado instead of St.Louis.

The Cardinals pitching staff was equally as impressive as the offense. Kwang Hyun Kim won the series opener Monday night going 7 innings allowing 3 runs on 5 hits with 10 strikeouts.

Dakota Hudson was impressive in his start against Noah Syndergaard out pitching the All-Star Rockies pitcher by pitching a complete game. Hudson allowed one run on 4 hits and struck out 11 over his 9 innings of work including 5 straight at one point.

Ace Jack Flaherty wouldn't be outshined by the backend of the rotation as he pitched 8 innings allowing 2 runs on just 2 hits and struck out 12 in his outing. Alex Reyes would record his 11th save by striking out the side in the 9th.

The Cardinals are off on Thursday as they await to host the Brewers for a 3 game weekend series. The Brewers are currently 3rd in the division, 4 games behind the Cardinals.

Cards place Tommy Edman on IL

It wasn't all positive in the series with the Rockies as Tommy Edman left Tuesday nights game with a leg injury that landed him on the 10 day IL. Edman isn't expected to miss anymore than the 10 days. Nick Dunn was recalled from Memphis to fill the roster spot.

[Stars and Crowns]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

ROYALS SPLIT TWO GAME SERIES AGAINST BREWERS

Game one:
WP: F. Peralta (2-2)
LP: D. Duffy (5-2)

It was an electric atmosphere at Kauffman Stadium as the first place Royals hosted the Brewers and the return of former fan favorite Lorenzo Cain.

Danny Duffy was rock solid for the first 3 innings, but gave up a solo HR in the top of the fourth to Christian Yelich. Lorenzo Cain would drive in a run in the fifth to make it 2-0 Brewers.

Duffy was looking like he refound his control, but in the sixth gave up another HR to Yelich, then walked Wily Adames, and a two run HR to Avisail Garcia.

The Royals got on the board with a Dozier sac fly and a solo HR by Salvy, but Tyler Zuber gave up a pair of Brewers runs in the top of the ninth and they would beat the Royals 7-2.

Game two:
WP: M. Minor (5-1)
LP: B. Woodruff (2-3)

Lorenzo Cain hit a double on the first pitch of the game and was driven in by another double by Kolten Wong on the second pitch. Minor would get it together though, as he would go 7 full innings without allowing another run.

The Royals themselves got back to back doubles in the second, one by Dozier and one by O’Hearn to tie it at one.

Michael Taylor and Whit Merrifield would drive in runs in the fourth inning and that would be all the runs either side would allow. The Royals won 3-1 in a game that was very frustrating due to the wide strike zone being called. The Royals would strikeout a season high 14 times, many looking. Many looking at balls three inches outside.

The Royals are now 25-17, still tied with the Twins for first. They will now host the Tigers for for three games before going on the road for a six game road stand.

[Stars and Crowns]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

ROYALS WIN TESTY SERIES VS TIGERS

Game one:
WP: B. Singer (3-2)
LP: S. Turnbull (1-3)
S: K. Zimmer (3)

The Royals got to Spencer Turnbull early in the game, scoring twice in the first off of a two run HR from Carlos Santana, and a Michael Taylor rbi single in the second. In the fifth it was an Andrew Benintendi HR that put the Royals up 4-0.

Detroit would break up the shutout vs Singer on an Akil Baddoo rbi double in the top of the sixth, but Nicky Lopez would single in a pair in the bottom of the inning to extend the lead to the final score of 6-1.

The Tigers were not competitive on the scoreboard but definitely set the tone for the series by hitting Carlos Santana with two pitches.

Game two:
WP: M. Fulmer (4-2)
LP: K. Bubic (1-5)
S: D. Norris (2)

Michael Fulmer was dominant against the Royals, allowing only one run in 8.2 innings, and that run didn’t come until there was two outs in the ninth and Dozier and Soler hit back to back doubles.

Bubic was good in this game, giving up just 2 runs in 6.1 innings, but he is the pitcher on this staff affected most by a lack of run support. He is 1-5 despite a 3.18 ERA.

The Tigers hit Carlos Santana again in the third inning and Soler in the fifth.

Game three:
WP: B. Keller (6-2)
LP: T. Skubal (3-1)

The Royals scored first, after a Jarrod Dyson rbi single, and another run via a throwing error by Tigers catcher Wilson Ramos. The Tigers would score on a Candelario double to make it 2-1 Royals. Then the game devolved into a brawl.

Carlos Santana was hit for the fourth time in the series, and after being on the wrong end of a 5-0 series disparity in hit batters, Brad Keller took it out on Candelario. The Tigers returned the favor by plunking Ryan O’Hearn in the next inning.

With the umps seemingly willing to let it slide, Keller put a fastball in the back of Akil Baddoo.

In the next inning Fulmer hit Jarrod Dyson, the benches cleared and Mike Matheny was ejected for losing his mind on the home plate umpire for not taking control. Still no warnings were issued.

With the Royals up 8-4 with two outs in the ninth, Kyle Zimmer hit Jacoby Jones and the umps ejected him. Wade Davis came into get the last out.

The series may be over but the bad feelings are not. These two teams won’t face each other for a few weeks when the Royals head to Detroit.

The Royals are 27-18, tied with the Twins for first in the AL Central. They’ll now go in the road for series against the Rays and Twins, before coming home to face the Pirates and have the draft.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals sweep Brewers, extend divisional lead

The Cardinals (25-9) swept the Brewers in a 3 game series over the weekend and now lead the division by 4 games over the Cubs and 6 over the Brewers.


The Cardinals did with both pitching and the bats depending on the game.

The Cardinals will have an off day tomorrow as they travel to Chicago for a brief mid-week two game series with the White Sox.

[Stars and Crowns]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

ROYALS WIN SERIES IN TAMPA

Game one:
WP: D. Duffy (6-2)
LP: R. Thompson (1-4)
S: J. Staumont (9)

The Royals got a 3 run HR from Jorge Soler in the seventh against Ryan Thompson to take the lead 5-3 against the Rays, and the bullpen would retire the last 11 Rays to preserve the win. Danny Duffy pitched six innings, giving up three runs.

Game two:
WP: Scott Barlow
LP: C. Roe (0-1)
S: J. Staumont (10)

Whit Merrifield singled on the first pitch of the game and was driven in by a Soler double.

Mike Minor got the first six Rays in order but gave up an RBI double to Austin Meadows in the third. Andrew Benintendi would drive in a run in the eighth to give the Royals a late 2-1 lead.

Jake Brentz would come in for the Royals in the bottom of the eight, but would walk a pair of Rays before giving up an RBI single to Brandon Lowe, blowing the save. He would strikeout Mike Zunino to keep the game tied however.

In the top of the eleventh, Jarrod Dyson pinch ran for the auto runner (Benintendi). He would advance to third on a wild pitch. With one out, Salvy would strikeout, leaving Jorge Soler with the runner on third with less than two outs. Looking to elevate a pitch that could drive in the go ahead run, Chaz Roe left his curve ball belt high and Soler hit it out to dead center. The Royals would not add any more runs and take a 4-2 lead to the bottom of the eleventh.

Josh Staumont bounced his first pitch curveball in the dirt and Mike Zunino tried to advance to third. Salvador Perez however sprung on it quick and gunned him out. Staumont would then strikeout the next two batters to give the Royals the win.

It was announced after the game that Ryan O’Hearn had torn his MCL and would miss 6+ months. He goes to the 60 day DL and his season is over. While he didn’t hit for a very good average, the Royals will miss his left handed power in the lineup. Seuly Matias was recalled from triple-a Omaha.

Game three:
WP: R. Yarbrough
LP: J. Junis
S: C. Poche (4)

Brady Singer looked great to start the game, working his change up and sinker combination to retire the first four batters. After throwing his first fastball though, he had to leave the game with elbow inflammation. He is day to day and should make his next scheduled start, but will miss no more than one. Jakob Junis came in for long relief and 5.1 innings, allowing a pair of runs on just two hits.

Ryan Yarbrough kept the Royals off balance all day though, as they could only muster four hits, all singles, and just worked one walk.

The Rays win 2-0 in a frustrating game, as the Royals are left wondering where consistent offense will come from. Merrifield isn’t having the type of season the Royals are used to, and Salvy, Santana, and Lopez have seen there averages plummet as of late. This is a team currently living and dying by the home run, and they don’t have the bats to play offense that way.

The Royals are 29-19 and are heading to play the Twins for three games. With the White Sox three games back, this series winner will be in first place.

[Qb]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

CB's Cardinals are on a roll. Can't remember many seasons when you jumped out of the gate like this.

[Stars and Crowns]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

ROYALS TAKE TWO OF THREE IN MINNESOTA, CLAIM FIRST PLACE

Game one:
WP: K. Bubic (2-5)
LP: K. Maeda (5-4)

In an important series against the Twins, the Royals struck in the very first inning when Carlos Santana hit a three run bomb to put the Royals up 3-0.

It is a rare occurrence when the Royals offense gives Kris Bubic a lead and he wanted to go deep into the game. In the bottom of the first he would give up a Josh Donaldson RBI double, but settled down after that. He would go 6.1 innings, giving up three runs (the last two were allowed by Tyler Zuber in the 6th).

The Royals had there most productive day at the plate against Maeda. Andrew Benintendi would hit a two run HR against him in the third, and Michael Taylor would hit a two run HR in the sixth off of Hansel Robles. The Royals would score all seven of there runs by HR and won 7-3.

Game two:
WP: B. Keller (7-2)
LP: L. Farrell (1-5)
S: Staumont (11)

In game two it was the Twins who struck first (on a third inning RBI single by Nelson Cruz and Max Kepler RBI double), but Keller would finish six innings allowing nothing more.

In the top of the sixth, Carlos Santana would continue his great series at the plate with an RBI double and then would score on a Hunter Dozier single to tie it at 2.

After the Twins were shut down in the sixth, they turned to Luke Farrell. He ran into trouble though following a Merrifield single and Benintendi walk. With two outs in the inning and a 2-2 count, Carlos Santana hit his second three run HR of the series to put the Royals ahead 5-2.

In the ninth Josh Staumont came in to close it out but gave up a HR on an 0-2 curveball to Trevor Larnach. He would face no more trouble though as he navigated the ninth and the Royals win 5-3.

Game three:
WP: D. Smeltzer (6-2)
LP: D. Duffy (6-3)
S: T. Rogers (11)

Michael Pineda went 4.2 scoreless innings but left the game due to a high pitch count, which was good for the Royals as they were held to just three singles in those innings.

Duffy matched in though, pitching five scoreless himself.

When Devin Smeltzer replaced Pineda, the Royals struck for the game’s first run on a Jorge Soler HR.

However in the sixth, Duffy ran into trouble as Josh Donaldson singled in a run and Astudillo doubled in two. They would add a fourth run against Duffy in the seventh to knock him out of the contest.

The Royals would battle back with RBIs by Salvy and Dyson, but the Twins would extend the lead on a solo HR by Larnach and win 5-3.

The Royals took sole possession of first place with the series lead (one game ahead of the Twins), and will face the Pirates in a two game series before facing the Twins again for four. After the Pirates series is the draft, and the Royals will select 7th.

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

I can use an upgrade in CF. Really tempted to go get Joc

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

CB's Cardinals are on a roll. Can't remember many seasons when you jumped out of the gate like this.

Don’t jinx it lol

Yeah we are playing really well at the moment


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[HozAndMoose]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Start of September - 2023

For the first time since 2015, the Kansas City Royals could potentially be on their way to the playoffs. With 32 games left in the season, we are sitting at 75-55 tied with the Twins in wins who currently hold 1st place in the division with 2 fewer games played. We are also 2nd in the Wild Card this time tied with the Astros at 75 wins but they have also played 2 fewer games. The A's and Indians are the next closest teams both with 66 wins. There is still plenty of time to blow it but things are looking good.

Standings

Spoiler

Transactions

Spoiler

August 13th was not a good day for the team as we lost both Salvador Perez and more importantly Bobby Witt Jr. Salvy has a chance to be back before the playoffs start but Witt is out till at least the ALCS should we even make it that far. Fortunately, we aren't the Padres who have had 5 players hit the IL since the all-star break. So it could always be worse. Thankfully we made the move to bring in Nick Castellanos just before the trade deadline. We gave the Reds 25-year-old SP Jackson Kowar, 24-year-old CF Kyle Isbel, and 21-year-old C Omar Hernandez. Castellanos was hitting .314 with 23 HR at the time.

The offense has been mostly the same now hitting .256/.317/.425. We have moved up 5 spots in AVG now in 16th, up 2 spots in OBP in 25th, and down 2 spots in SLG in 18th. Our.742 team OPS is exactly the same as it was at the all-star break. At the break, we were 18th in Runs with 397. We are still 18th in runs now with 551. Though our runs per game has dropped from 4.36 in the first 91 games to 3.94 in our last 39. Thankfully our pitching has yet to let us down still 2nd in the league in ERA at 3.57 while giving up the least home runs with 140.

Players of the Month

Spoiler

Carlos Mitre won his 2nd Rookie of the Month award in July. With Brady Singer and Kyle Zimmer taking Pitcher of the Month for July and August. Mitre is the favorite to take home the Rookie of the Year award currently hitting .288 with 19 HR and 66 RBI. Teammate Seuly Matias is 3rd with Brandon Marsh of the Angels in 2nd. Yordan Alvarez is the favorite to take home the MVP currently hitting for the triple crown in the AL with a .336 AVG and 44 HR with 104 RBI. Vlad Jr. is 2nd hitting .310 with 34 HR and 96 RBI. On the mound, Chris Sale is leading the Cy Young race despite his 3.85 ERA with Jose Berrios in 2nd with a 2.85 ERA and Brady Singer in 3rd with a 2.75 ERA. Over in the NL Juan Soto leads the MVP race hitting .345 with 37 HR and 95 RBI. Pete Alonso sits in 2nd hitting .265 with 37 HR and 108 RBI. Julio Urias is the Cy Young favorite at 14-2 with a 2.66 ERA. Back-to-back winner Aaron Nola is in 2nd with a 3.24 ERA. The Nationals could also be bringing how the Rookie of the Year award with 2021 draft pick Jim Chavez sitting in 1st with a 14-4 record and a 3.31 ERA.

Our last 32 games are split evenly between Home and Road. We start September with about the easiest 5 games possible. 3 against the 44 win Pirates and then a quick 2 games series against the 51 win Reds all at home. 13 games in the division with only 4 left against the Twins and 3 against the Indians. The other 6 games are all against the White Sox. Our last game against Detroit was August 16th. Barring a collapse like last year, we should find ourselves in the playoffs. Whether that's as a Wild Card or Division winner is still to be determined.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals drop 2 game series to White Sox in Chicago

The Cardinals (25-11) dropped both games of a mini two game series with the White Sox in Chicago. The Cardinals didn't have an offense as they managed just 2 runs in the 2 games, and the ChiSox hit 5 homeruns over the 2 game span.

The Cardinals will now travel to Cleveland for a 3 game series with the Indians.

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

Big week coming up for my Braves. We're 46-25 and still holding down first in the NL East. But the Mets are just two games back. We have three games with them in New York then travel to Cincinnati for a four-game series with the first-place Reds.

I always say my franchise is its own universe and that's true, but I'd be lying if I said real-life events don't have an impact. I definitely want to add Joc. It makes sense in my franchise since I have a hole in CF and the Cubs are 27-45 and well out of the playoff mix. But Joc has been a beast for them, hitting .320 with 14 homers and 42 RBIs. Going to wait until July to make my move.

[Stars and Crowns]

Re: MLB The Show 21 Franchise Discussion Thread

ROYALS SPLIT TWO GAME SERIES IN PITTSBURGH

Game one:
WP: M. Minor (6-1)
LP: M. Keller (1-2)

The Royals got a 2 run HR from Carlos Santana in the second inning and a solo HR from Hunter Dozier in the sixth to account for all three of their runs.

The story was Mike Minor, who took advantage of a weak Pirates offense to throw a complete game shutout, allowing five hits and walking one while striking out 7.

Game two:
WP: T. Cahill (3-4)
LP: B. Singer (3-3)
S: R. Rodriguez

Brady Singer was in trouble all day, allowing nine hits in his five innings, but he found a way to navigate the trouble by allowing only three runs, all in the first two innings.

The Royals offense put together only seven hits and a pair of runs, and they lost 3-2. They did get the tying run in scoring position in the ninth with two outs, but Nicky Lopez struck out to end the game.

The Royals are 32-21 and a game ahead of the Twins for first place. Next up is the MLB draft and then an important four game series with the Twins.