Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

ROYALS CLAIM FIELDS OFF WAIVERS
Zimmer optioned; Staumont transferred to 60-day disabled list
By artoodeetoo
05/09/2019

The Royals continue to shuffle in the bullpen, adding veteran reliever Josh Fields via waivers from the Dodgers. The 33-year-old Fields has been one of the National League's more underrated relief pitchers in recent years, posting back-to-back sub-3.00 ERA's in 2017 and 2018, with a career-best 2.62 last season in eighty-six innings. He also posted career highs in wins (11), appearances (75), and strikeouts (93). His eighty-six innings was also a career-high.

The circumstances around the move by the Dodgers is unclear. He has not been as sharp this year as he has been in the past; and he tends to be homer-prone, with four homeruns allowed in 23 2/3 innings so far in 2019. Still, the Dodgers' bullpen has mostly struggled so far, and was one of the more consistent pitchers they had.

The Royals made room by sending Kyle Zimmer back to Omaha after a brief stay with the Royals, and transferring Josh Staumont to the 60-day disabled list to get Fields on the 40-man roster. Zimmer, called up just three days ago, must now wait ten days to be re-called unless there is an injury. He appeared in just one game, pitching one-third of an inning, allowing one hit and no runs on Monday in the Royals' 5-2 defeat to Oakland.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

HOUSTON (21-16) @ KANSAS CITY ROYALS (16-22)



PITCHING MATCHUPS

05/10: RHP Gerrit Cole (5-1, 4.09) vs LHP Danny Duffy (3-1, 4.19)
05/11: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (5-3, 3.71) vs RHP Jake Junis (1-3, 4.47)
05/12: RHP Justin Verlander (1-0, 2.96) vs RHP Trevor Oaks (3-2, 2.73)

GAME RECAPS

May 10th, 2019
KHouston (21-17) 0, Kansas City (17-22) 1
Winner: Danny Duffy (4-1) Loser: Gerrit Cole (5-2) Save: Liam Hendriks (8)

KANSAS CITY WINS SQUEAKER BEHIND DUFFY'S EFFORTS

Ryan O'Hearn's fourth-inning RBI double off Gerrit Cole was the only run in the ballgame, as the Royals eked out a 1-0 victory against Houston to open the three-game set at Kauffman between the two teams. It was the second of back-to-back doubles, with Cheslor Cuthbert hitting a two-bagger off Cole in the previous at-bat. Danny Duffy rendered the struggling Astros' bats silent, tossing seven and two-third innings of shutout baseball, fanning five while scattering six hits and a walk. Blake Treinen came in and recorded the final out of the eighth before getting the final three outs in the ninth to pick up his fourth save. Houston has now lost five straight after starting the season 21-12.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Texas (16-22) 8, Baltimore (18-22) 2
Toronto (16-20) 6, Boston (25-15) 4
Houston (21-17) 0, Kansas City (17-22) 1
NY Yankees (24-15) 6, Tampa Bay (22-17) 0
Chi. Sox (19-20) 9, Detroit (13-24) 7 (Final/14)
Oakland (18-22) 1, Seattle (22-18) 3
Minnesota (14-24) 5, LA Angels (19-20) 8

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Cleveland (20-18) 5, Pittsburgh (24-14) 0
Atlanta (20-19) 4, Philadelphia (18-20) 8
NY Mets (22-16) 2, Washington (22-17) 3
Colorado (25-14) 8, St. Louis (24-14) 5
Milwaukee (21-19) 5, Arizona (16-22) 3 (Final/10)
Miami (14-26) 5, San Francisco (15-23) 6
Cincinnati (9-30) 5, San Diego (20-19) 4
Chi. Cubs (20-17) 0, LA Dodgers (26-14) 4

May 11th, 2019
Houston (22-17) 4, Kansas City (17-23) 2
Winner: Riley Ferrell (1-1) Loser: Josh Fields (2-2) Save: Roberto Osuna (10)

ASTROS RALLY PAST K.C.

Newcomer Josh Fields, a former Astro, didn't make a great first impression as a Royal; allowing a pair of two-out runs in the ninth as the Royals fell 4-2, snapping the Astros's five-game skid. The Royals led 2-0 until solo homeruns in back-to-back innings in the fifth and sixth off starter Jake Junis, who left with the game tied at two after six and one-third innings of work. Fields surrendered a triple to Jose Altuve to lead off the ninth, before intentionally walking Carlos Correa. George Springer and Alex Bregman fanned at the hands of Fields, but Josh Reddick and Derek Fisher both singled to left in back-to-back at-bats to bring home the go-ahead runs. Hunter Dozier and Salvador Perez each had RBI singles for the Royals, both in the second inning. Dozier was 2-for-4, while Adalberto Mondesi also stroked a pair of doubles as part of a 2-for-4 day.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Texas (16-23) 9, Baltimore (19-22) 10
Toronto (16-21) 4, Boston (26-15) 5
Houston (22-17) 4, Kansas City (17-23) 2
NY Yankees (25-15) 2, Tampa Bay (22-18) 1
Chi. Sox (20-20) 8, Detroit (13-25) 7 (Final/10)
Oakland (19-22) 17, Seattle (22-19) 2
Minnesota (15-24) 7, LA Angels (19-21) 1

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Cleveland (20-19) 5, Pittsburgh (25-14) 9
Atlanta (21-19) 9, Philadelphia (18-21) 4
NY Mets (23-16) 8, Washington (22-18) 7 (Final/10)
Colorado (26-14) 4, St. Louis (24-15) 1
Milwaukee (21-20) 4, Arizona (17-22) 14
Miami (14-27) 0, San Francisco (16-23) 2
Cincinnati (9-31) 4, San Diego (21-19) 6
Chi. Cubs (20-18) 2, LA Dodgers (27-14) 8

May 12th, 2019
Houston (22-18) 4, Kansas City (18-23) 14
Winner: Trevor Oaks (4-2) Loser: Justin Verlander (1-1) Save: None

BASERUNNERS GALORE AS ROYALS TOP HOUSTON

Kansas City pounded out thirteen hits and walked nine times, leading to fourteen runs as the Royals won in a laugher, 14-4. The normally-tough-on-the-Royals Justin Verlander was anything but in this one, as he surrendered five walks and four hits, including grand slams in the first (Ryan O'Hearn) and second (Brian Goodwin) innings. It was the first time the Royals have hit grand slams in consecutive innings to begin a game, and it was the first time that Verlander had allowed two slams in one start. O'Hearn collected a career-high five RBI, adding an RBI single in the sixth. Adalberto Mondesi went 2-for-5 with a homerun, his third of the season, and also stole a base with a career-best four runs scored.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Texas (17-23) 7, Baltimore (19-23) 6
Toronto (16-22) 9, Boston (27-15) 3 (Final/11)
Houston (22-18) 4, Kansas City (18-23) 14
NY Yankees (26-15) 4, Tampa Bay (22-19) 3 (Final/11)
Chi. Sox (21-20) 8, Detroit (13-26) 1
Oakland (19-23) 3, Seattle (23-19) 9
Minnesota (16-24) 9, LA Angels (19-22) 4 (Final/10)

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Cleveland (20-20) 0, Pittsburgh (26-14) 1
Atlanta (22-19) 10, Philadelphia (18-22) 5
NY Mets (23-17) 2, Washington (23-18) 4
Colorado (26-15) 3, St. Louis (25-15) 4
Milwaukee (21-21) 8, Arizona (18-22) 9 (Final/11)
Miami (14-28) 7, San Francisco (17-23) 12
Cincinnati (10-31) 9, San Diego (21-20) 4
Chi. Cubs (21-18) 3, LA Dodgers (27-15) 1

MAJOR NEWS/INJURIES/TRANSACTIONS
05/09: Royals add RHP Josh Fields via waivers from the Dodgers
05/10: Mariners' Mike Leake diagnosed with torn meniscus in right knee; will miss five to six months
05/11: Oakland OF Khris Davis suspended four games after five-minute balls & strikes argument; will not appeal
05/11: Arizona places RHP Zack Greinke (rotator cuff strain) on 10-day disabled list retroactive to 05/10/2019
05/11: Pittsburgh activates 3B Adrian Beltre; will not send to Triple-A for rehab
05/12: Nats' Strasburg back to the disabled list with mild shoulder tendinitis

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

GORDON, ROSENTHAL SET TO COME OFF DISABLED LIST
Southpaw Skaggs also recovering "ahead of schedule"
By artoodeetoo
05/13/2019

The Royals received some welcome injury news, as both Alex Gordon and Trevor Rosenthal were activated off the disabled list and will return to action. However, Rosenthal is going to take a detour to Omaha for a rehab assignment, while Gordon will report directly back to Kansas City.

To make room for Gordon, the Royals sent Jorge Bonifacio down to Omaha. Rosenthal will pitch out of the bullpen; but not as the closer, and is not likely to spend the full thirty days in rehab, according to manager Ned Yost.

The biggest injury news of the day, however, was the update on Tyler Skaggs. Acquired from the Angels for Burch Smith in January, Skaggs was originally not expected to pitch in 2019 after undergoing Tommy John surgery early last offseason. However, Yost reported that Skaggs is "well ahead" of schedule, and could start throwing off flat ground in the next several weeks as part of a soft-toss program.

However, he was still cautious that he would see much time in the majors this season, as he would likely need a rehabilitation stint in the minors to get back to full strength. The target date for his return to action is July 13th, which is right around the All-Star Break, with an eye on premiering with the Royals in late August.

Another pitcher currently on rehab assignment, Drew Smith, made his first start on May 9th, throwing three and two-third innings for Northwest Arkansas. He fanned two, walked two, and allowed two hits and one run in a 15-4 Naturals victory. He's slated to make his second start on Tuesday, May 14th. He threw fifty-one pitches in his last start, and is not expected to go over sixty-five in his second appearance.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

DETROIT (13-26) @ KANSAS CITY ROYALS (18-23)



PITCHING MATCHUPS

05/13: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (2-3, 4.35) vs RHP Ian Kennedy (0-4, 7.68)
05/14: RHP Lance Lynn (1-3, 5.40) vs RHP Luis Cessa (2-2, 5.94)
05/15: LHP Daniel Norris (1-1, 4.30) vs LHP Danny Duffy (4-1, 3.55)

GAME RECAPS

May 13th, 2019
Detroit (14-26) 2, Kansas City (18-24) 1
Winner: Gerson Moreno (2-1) Loser: Nathan Karns (0-1) Save: None

ROYALS FALL AFTER LATE HOMERUN

Jhonny Peralta stroked a solo homerun to left-center off Nathan Karns with two out in the top of the ninth, and it turned out to be the difference as the Tigers stole a 2-1 victory to open the three-game series between the two teams. Detroit may be 14-26 after this win, but four of those wins have come against the Royals. Ian Kennedy left after just one and two-third innings, with the Royals citing shoulder discomfort. Luis Cessa gave the Royals five and one-third shutout innings of relief, scattering just one hit and walk apiece, while striking out three. The Royals' only run came in the seventh courtesy of a Hunter Dozier sacrifice fly. Alex Gordon was 2-for-4 with a pair of singles in his return to the lineup, as he was the only Royal to reach base more than once against Jordan Zimmermann, who limited the Royals to one run on four hits, fanning four to pick up the victory.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Texas (17-24) 4, NY Yankees (27-15) 14
Detroit (14-26) 2, Kansas City (18-24) 1
Seattle (23-20) 3, LA Angels (20-22) 12
Toronto (17-22) 4, Chi. Sox (21-21) 3

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
San Diego (21-21) 2, LA Dodgers (28-15) 3
Milwaukee (21-22) 9, Colorado (27-15) 10 (Final/11)
Cincinnati (10-32) 1, San Francisco (18-23) 6

May 14th, 2019
Detroit (14-27) 1, Kansas City (19-24) 7
Winner: Josh Fields (3-2) Loser: Daniel Stumpf (0-2) Save: None

BIG EIGHTH INNING PROPELS ROYALS OVER DETROIT

Kansas City sent eleven men to the plate in a seven-run eighth inning, capped off with a bases-clearing double off the bat of Adalberto Mondesi against southpaw Daniel Stumpf. Mondesi led off the inning with a ground-rule double against Stumpf, who threw a season-high fifty-nine pitches as a taxed Detroit bullpen didn't have anyone else available. Stumpf actually had recorded two outs before the wheels fell off; with back-to-back bases loaded walks to Jorge Soler and Salvador Perez giving the Royals a 3-1 lead, before Billy Hamilton hit an infield single to make the score 4-1 prior to Mondesi's blast into the right-center gap. Josh Fields, who had a disastrous debut with the Royals four games ago, pitched two perfect innings with three strikeouts to pick up the victory, his first with the team. Jorge Lopez made the emergency start in the wake of Luis Cessa's five-and-one-third inning outing in relief of Ian Kennedy last night; and threw five sparkling innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out seven only to not be the pitcher of record.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Texas (17-25) 2, NY Yankees (28-15) 10
Detroit (14-27) 1, Kansas City (19-24) 7
Washington (23-19) 3, Boston (28-15) 5
Chi. Cubs (21-19) 0, Minnesota (17-24) 4
Oakland (20-23) 4, Houston (22-19) 2
Seattle (24-20) 4, LA Angels (20-23) 2
Toronto (17-23) 2, Chi. Sox (22-21) 4

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
San Diego (22-21) 11, LA Dodgers (28-16) 2
Tampa Bay (22-20) 1, NY Mets (24-17) 2
Baltimore (19-24) 1, Miami (15-28) 8
Arizona (18-23) 1, Philadelphia (19-22) 7
Pittsburgh (27-14) 3, Atlanta (22-20) 0
Milwaukee (21-23) 3, Colorado (28-15) 6
Cleveland (20-21) 4, St. Louis (26-15) 7
Cincinnati (10-33) 3, San Francisco (19-23) 9

May 15th, 2019
Detroit (15-27) 3, Kansas City (19-25) 2
Winner: John Schrieber (2-2) Loser: Blake Treinen (2-4) Save: None

LATE MISCUES LEAD TO DEFEAT

Danny Duffy posted another solid start; only suffering a hiccup in the third inning with a pair of solo homeruns allowed, but didn't end up as the pitcher of record as the Royals fell late 3-2. Duffy scattered seven hits and a walk, striking out five in recording his third straight quality start. In a decision that was questioned by some, Ned Yost went with Blake Treinen with two outs in the eighth in place of Duffy against Detroit first baseman Alejandro Perez, who has hit over 100 points worse against right-handed pitching in 2019. But Perez made the Royals pay with a solo homerun to left to break a 2-2 tie; and after a scoreless ninth from Treinen, the Royals' ninth-inning rally was snuffed out. Billy Hamilton, who pinch-ran for Salvador Perez after he walked, stole second and later ran through a stop sign at third base after a Brian Goodwin single, getting thrown out at home by Mikie Mahtook.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Texas (17-26) 1, NY Yankees (29-15) 3
Detroit (15-27) 3, Kansas City (19-25) 2
Washington (24-19) 10, Boston (28-16) 9
Chi. Cubs (22-19) 7, Minnesota (17-25) 3
Oakland (20-24) 3, Houston (23-19) 5
Seattle (25-20) 14, LA Angels (20-24) 0
Toronto (17-24) 2, Chi. Sox (23-21) 5 (Final/12)

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Tampa Bay (22-21) 0, NY Mets (25-17) 3
Baltimore (19-25) 2, Miami (16-28) 5
Arizona (19-23) 18, Philadelphia (19-23) 7
Pittsburgh (28-14) 5, Atlanta (22-21) 3
Milwaukee (22-23) 11, Colorado (28-16) 5
Cleveland (20-22) 2, St. Louis (27-15) 7
Cincinnati (10-34) 1, San Francisco (20-23) 8

MAJOR NEWS/INJURIES/TRANSACTIONS
05/13: Yanks rocket to top of power rankings; Cards fall to fifth
05/13: Boston's Devers, Arizona's Goldschmidt win weekly honors
05/13: Bucs closer Nick Burdi to miss three to four weeks with forearm tendonitis
05/13: Atlanta 2B Ozzie Albies re-injures fractured hand; will miss two to three more months after surgery
05/14: O's sign veteran reliever Shawn Armstrong to pro-rated one-year contract
05/15: Royals RHP Ian Kennedy to miss remainder of 2019 season with torn rotator cuff
05/15: Cardinals OF Dexter Fowler nets 2019's first cycle in 11-2 victory over Cleveland, going 5-for-5

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

KENNEDY TO MISS REMAINDER OF SEASON
Royals cut Rosenthal's rehab assignment short; Lopez to rotation
By artoodeetoo
05/16/2019

Ian Kennedy's 2019 season has come to a merciful end. Manager Ned Yost suspected an issue when his velocity dropped from the high 80's to the low 80's early in his start on Monday, and the worst was realized in an MRI performed just after the game, revealing a torn rotator cuff that will sideline him for not just the rest of this season, but likely the first half of 2020 as well.

Unfortunately for the Royals, he's still owed nearly $27M through next year, and has an 0-4 mark with a 7.60 ERA through nine starts. There was some hope that he'd be a serviceable member of the rotation after a strong end to the 2018 season, going 6-8 with a 3.85 ERA in twenty-two starts overall.

Luis Cessa, who was scheduled to pitch Tuesday night, threw five and one-third innings in relief of Kennedy in Monday's game, prompting the Royals to move Jorge Lopez into the rotation in place of Cessa. According to Yost, Lopez will now slide into the rotation, and closer Trevor Rosenthal will return to the Royals after just two appearances on his rehab stint in Omaha.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (19-25) @ HOUSTON ASTROS (23-19)



PITCHING MATCHUPS

05/16: RHP Jake Junis (1-3, 4.29) vs RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (5-3, 3.57)
05/17: RHP Trevor Oaks (4-2, 3.02) vs RHP Gerrit Cole (5-2, 3.71)
05/18: RHP Luis Cessa (2-2, 5.12) vs RHP Justin Verlander (1-1, 5.81)
05/19: RHP Jorge Lopez (2-3, 3.03) vs RHP Collin McHugh (1-5, 6.47)

GAME RECAPS

May 16th, 2019
Kansas City (19-26) 2, Houston (24-19) 3
Winner: Zach Putnam (1-0) Loser: Tim Hill (0-1) Save: Riley Ferrell (2)

OFFENSE STALLS AS ASTROS TAKE FIRST GAME

With two runs scored and two steals, Billy Hamilton was the Royals' offensive star, but it wasn't enough as the Astros nipped the visiting Royals by a 3-2 count. Lance McCullers Jr. went just five and one-third innings; throwing ninety-seven pitches, but fanned nine while allowing just one earned run to pick up the victory. Marwin Gonzalez had the key hit in the ballgame, delivering a two-run single to put the Astros up by one in the seventh. Despite allowing a hit and a walk in the ninth, Riley Ferrell worked around them with three strikeouts to get the save.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Texas (17-27) 0, Tampa Bay (23-21) 5
Toronto (18-24) 7, LA Angels (20-25) 3
Kansas City (19-26) 2, Houston (24-19) 3
Oakland (21-24) 7, Cleveland (20-23) 6

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Arizona (20-23) 4, Philadelphia (20-23) 2 (Final/10)
Washington (25-19) 7, Chi. Cubs (22-20) 3
Pittsburgh (28-15) 0, Atlanta (23-21) 4
LA Dodgers (28-17) 4, St. Louis (28-15) 4 (Final/10)
San Diego (23-21) 7, Colorado (28-17) 6

May 17th, 2019
Kansas City (19-27) 3, Houston (25-19) 4
Winner: Gerrit Cole (6-2) Loser: Trevor Oaks (4-3) Save: Hector Rondon (1)

ROYALS CAN'T FIGURE COLE OUT

Gerrit Cole struck out ten Royals in seven innings, out-dueling counterpart Trevor Oaks in a 4-3 Astros win. The Royals struck first in the top of the first, with an RBI double off the bat of Nicky Lopez to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead. Kyle Tucker led off the Astros' first with a solo homerun to tie the score. They traded single runs again in the second, with Salvador Perez lashing a homerun and Garrett Stubbs driving in a run on a fielder's choice. Carlos Correa gave Houston the lead for good with an RBI single in the fifth, and nabbed a key insurance run when Alex Bregman singled home Yuli Gurriel.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Kansas City (19-27) 3, Houston (25-19) 4
Cincinnati (11-34) 6, Minnesota (17-26) 3
Texas (17-28) 2, Tampa Bay (24-21) 3
Oakland (21-25) 2, Cleveland (21-23) 5
Boston (29-16) 11, NY Yankees (29-16) 1
Toronto (19-24) 9, LA Angels (20-26) 5
Baltimore (19-26) 1, Chi. Sox (24-21) 4
Detroit (16-27) 7, Seattle (25-21) 6

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Arizona (20-24) 4, Miami (17-28) 5
San Francisco (21-23) 7, NY Mets (25-18) 4
Philadelphia (19-25) 5, Atlanta (24-21) 6
LA Dodgers (28-18) 1, St. Louis (29-15) 4
Pittsburgh (29-15) 10, Milwaukee (22-24) 6
Washington (26-19) 2, Chi. Cubs (22-21) 1
San Diego (24-21) 4, Colorado (28-18) 2

May 18th, 2019
Kansas City (20-27) 8, Houston (25-20) 1
Winner: Luis Cessa (3-2) Loser: Justin Verlander (1-2) Save: None

OFFENSE SPARKS BIG VICTORY

After nine runs a little over a week ago, Justin Verlander didn't fare much better against the Royals this time around, allowing five runs in three innings. Cheslor Cuthbert doubled and homered twice as part of a 3-for-5 day, propelling the Royals to an 8-1 victory at Houston to snap a three-game losing streak. Luis Cessa also put together his best start as a Royal, throwing seven and two-third innings while fanning four and scattering seven hits. Richard Lovelady made his first appearance in a week, pitching one and one-third innings of work with a pair of strikeouts.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Kansas City (20-27) 8, Houston (25-20) 1
Cincinnati (11-35) 2, Minnesota (18-26) 3
Texas (18-28) 3, Tampa Bay (24-22) 2
Oakland (21-26) 4, Cleveland (22-23) 11
Boston (29-17) 0, NY Yankees (30-16) 2
Toronto (20-24) 4, LA Angels (20-27) 1
Baltimore (20-26) 6, Chi. Sox (24-22) 2
Detroit (17-27) 2, Seattle (25-22) 0

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Arizona (20-25) 1, Miami (18-28) 3
San Francisco (21-24) 2, NY Mets (26-18) 5
Philadelphia (20-25) 7, Atlanta (24-22) 5
LA Dodgers (29-18) 5, St. Louis (29-16) 2
Pittsburgh (29-16) 4, Milwaukee (23-24) 7
Washington (27-19) 8, Chi. Cubs (22-22) 5 (Final/12)
San Diego (25-21) 9, Colorado (28-19) 2

May 19th, 2019
Kansas City (20-28) 8, Houston (26-20) 7
Winner: Collin McHugh (2-5) Loser: Jorge Lopez (2-4) Save: None

HOMER-HAPPY SIXTH DOOMS K.C.

Wilson Ramos hit a pair of homeruns and walked twice, and the Astros added two more homeruns elsewhere to help them claim a 7-2 victory. The Royals pulled to within two with a two-run fourth inning; but then Houston teed off on Jorge Lopez, and then Tim Hill for three homeruns in the sixth. Ramos led off the sixth with his second of two solo blasts, and then Marwin Gonzalez and Derek Fisher hit solo bombs off Hill. On an 80-pitch limit, Lopez didn't even come very close to that, throwing seventy pitches over five innings, allowing eleven hits and a walk with no strikeouts after a seven-strikeout performance in five innings against Detroit on Tuesday. Alex Gordon and Nicky Lopez each collected a pair of hits, while Billy Hamilton and Cheslor Cuthbert each drove in one run apiece.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Kansas City (20-28) 2, Houston (26-20) 7
Cincinnati (12-35) 4, Minnesota (18-27) 3
Texas (18-29) 5, Tampa Bay (25-22) 6
Oakland (22-26) 7, Cleveland (22-24) 2
Boston (30-17) 4, NY Yankees (30-17) 1
Toronto (21-24) 8, LA Angels (20-28) 7
Baltimore (20-27) 4, Chi. Sox (25-22) 10
Detroit (17-28) 6, Seattle (26-22) 7

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Arizona (20-26) 2, Miami (19-28) 8
San Francisco (22-24) 6, NY Mets (26-19) 1
Philadelphia (20-26) 0, Atlanta (25-22) 1
LA Dodgers (29-19) 5, St. Louis (30-16) 8
Pittsburgh (29-17) 4, Milwaukee (24-24) 8
Washington (27-20) 2, Chi. Cubs (23-22) 6
San Diego (25-22) 4, Colorado (29-19) 13

MAJOR NEWS/INJURIES/TRANSACTIONS
05/16: Atlanta reliever Brad Roney placed on the 60-day disabled list with ruptured disc in back
05/18: Marlins set to place Wei-yin Chen on 60-day disabled list (elbow bone chips), ending 2019 season prematurely
05/19: Yankees righty David Sosebee to miss nine to ten months with torn rotator cuff
05/19: Braves reliever Arodys Vizcaino suffers setback in rehab stint from bulging back disc

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

ROYALS MAKE FLURRY OF MOVES
Touted prospect Alonso re-called; Hill sent to Omaha
By artoodeetoo
05/20/2019

Possibly realizing that the season is getting away from them, Royals fans will finally get to see Peter Alonso in action, up close and personal. Kansas City optioned Hunter Dozier to Omaha last night to make room for the team's ninth-ranked prospect in Alonso, after a poor May that has seen Dozier hit just .217 after a strong April.

Alonso, just twenty-four, will start at first base tonight at Target Field in Minnesota. He got the call just before the end of the game, as manager Bip Roberts told him that he'd be flying out to Minneapolis as soon as last night's Storm Chasers game was over.

He's had an impressive campaign so far for Omaha, slashing .349/.425/.555 with seven homeruns, nine doubles, and thirty-four RBI in 169 plate appearances. Many thought he'd open the season as the team's starter at first base after being acquired, but Dozier and Ryan O'Hearn had solid springs that carried over into the season, but have slowed down considerably (less so in O'Hearn's case), keeping him in the minors for the time being after being a non-roster invitee.

The Royals also made a couple of other key moves; as they demoted southpaw Tim Hill for the second time this season, and added Drew Smith to the 40-man roster in the wake of Ian Kennedy's injury. Smith is now at Triple-A on his rehab assignment, where he's expected to make two or three starts before being re-evaluated.

In place of Hill, fellow southpaw Jerry Vasto was re-called back to Kansas City. Vasto struck out four and walked four in two and one-third innings, covering three appearances, with a 3.86 ERA in an earlier stint.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (20-27) @ MINNESOTA TWINS (18-27)



PITCHING MATCHUPS

05/20: LHP Danny Duffy (4-1, 3.39) vs RHP Michael Pineda (3-4, 3.76)
05/21: RHP Jake Junis (1-3, 4.15) vs LHP Wade Miley (2-4, 6.75)
05/22: RHP Trevor Oaks (4-3, 3.24) vs RHP Brandon McCarthy (2-5, 5.73)

GAME RECAPS

May 20th, 2019
Kansas City (20-28) 1, Minnesota (19-27) 2
Winner: Brady Feigl (1-1) Loser: Danny Duffy (4-2) Save: Addison Reed (8)

BATS FALL SILENT AGAIN

Nicky Lopez's RBI single in the first inning was the only run the Royals could muster, as Danny Duffy allowed just two runs in seven innings to take the hard-luck loss in a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota. The Royals squandered a golden opportunity in the first inning, loading the bases with just one out after Lopez' single and a walk to Ryan O'Hearn. But first baseman Peter Alonso, making his MLB debut, grounded into a 5-4-3 double play as Minnesota put out the flame. O'Hearn and Alex Gordon were the only Royals to reach base more than once, as they each went 1-for-3 with a walk, and O'Hearn's hit was a two-bagger in the seventh. Salvador Perez's double in the fifth extended his modest hit streak to five, and his games-reached-base streak to eight.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Baltimore (21-27) 5, Oakland (22-27) 3
Kansas City (20-29) 1, Minnesota (19-27) 2
Boston (31-17) 5, Cleveland (22-25) 3 (Final/10)

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
San Francisco (23-24) 6, Cincinnati (12-36) 5
LA Dodgers (30-19) 4, Miami (19-29) 2
Atlanta (25-23) 2, Washington (28-20) 4
Philadelphia (21-26) 3, NY Mets (26-20) 1
Chi. Sox (25-23) 0, Chi. Cubs (24-22) 1
San Diego (25-23) 3, Arizona (21-26) 10

May 21st, 2019
Kansas City (20-30) 5, Minnesota (20-27) 8
Winner: Wade Miley (3-4) Loser: Jake Junis (1-4) Save: None

TWINS PULL AWAY LATE

The lead changed hands twice in the fifth inning, but the Twins pulled away with a three-run eighth against Richard Lovelady to claim an 8-5 victory. Byron Buxton was a key driver of Minnesota's victory, going 2-for-4 with a double and a homerun, his 12th of the season. Despite allowing four runs in five innings with four walks, Wade Miley picked up his third victory on the strength of the Twins' offensive output against Royals starter Jake Junis, who surrendered five runs in six innings. The Royals scored all but one of their runs in the fifth inning, with back-to-back RBI doubles by Jose Iglesias and Cheslor Cuthbert, and a two-run homerun from Salvador Perez all happening with two outs. Jorge Soler hit his second homerun of the season in the ninth off Taylor Rogers, but it was too little, too late as the Royals dropped their seventh game in their last nine.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Boston (32-17) 16, Cleveland (22-26) 6
Kansas City (20-30) 5, Minnesota (20-27) 8
LA Angels (20-29) 2, Tampa Bay (26-22) 3
NY Yankees (31-17) 1, Toronto (21-25) 0
Houston (26-21) 6, Texas (19-29) 9
Colorado (30-19) 8, Seattle (26-23) 3
Baltimore (21-28) 2, Oakland (23-27) 7

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
St. Louis (31-16) 8, Milwaukee (24-25) 6
Detroit (17-29) 3, Pittsburgh (30-17) 5
San Francisco (24-24) 5, Cincinnati (12-37) 4
LA Dodgers (31-19) 14, Miami (19-30) 2
Atlanta (26-23) 5, Washington (28-21) 3
Philadelphia (22-26) 4, NY Mets (26-21) 0
Chi. Sox (25-24) 5, Chi. Cubs (25-22) 6
San Diego (25-24) 2, Arizona (22-26) 3

May 22nd, 2019
Kansas City (20-31) 6, Minnesota (21-27) 8
Winner: Addison Reed (3-3) Loser: Trevor Rosenthal (0-1) Save: None

TWINS BRING HOME THE 'BUXT'ON

Pitching in his first game in a week, and first appearance with the Royals in nearly three weeks, Trevor Rosenthal surrendered a two-out, two-run walk-off homerun to Byron Buxton in the ninth inning, breaking a 6-6 tie and sending Minnesota home 8-6 victors. The Royals entered the bottom-half of that inning up 6-5; thanks to an Adalberto Mondesi solo homerun, but the Twins quickly erased that with a sac fly from Ehire Adrianza, allowing Buxton to reach the dish for his blast. The Royals actually held a 5-3 lead through five innings, but single runs in the seventh and eighth tied the score against the Royals' shaky bullpen, and ruined an otherwise decent performance from starter Trevor Oaks, who was charged with four runs in seven-plus innings of work. Rookie first baseman Peter Alonso hit his first career MLB homerun in the fourth inning, a three-run blast off Brandon McCarthy to give Kansas City their first lead of the game.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Boston (33-17) 7, Cleveland (22-27) 6 (Final/10)
Kansas City (20-31) 6, Minnesota (21-27) 8
LA Angels (21-29) 4, Tampa Bay (26-23) 3
NY Yankees (32-17) 4, Toronto (21-26) 3
Houston (26-22) 1, Texas (20-29) 3
Colorado (31-19) 5, Seattle (26-24) 1
Baltimore (21-29) 5, Oakland (24-27) 6

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
St. Louis (31-17) 7, Milwaukee (25-25) 8
Detroit (18-29) 6, Pittsburgh (30-18) 5
San Francisco (25-24) 11, Cincinnati (12-38) 8
LA Dodgers (32-19) 6, Miami (19-31) 2
Atlanta (26-24) 6, Washington (29-21) 7 (Final/10)
Philadelphia (22-27) 4, NY Mets (27-21) 11
Chi. Sox (25-25) 4, Chi. Cubs (26-22) 5
San Diego (25-25) 6, Arizona (23-26) 7

MAJOR NEWS/INJURIES/TRANSACTIONS
05/20: Donaldson, Tapia earn weekly player honors
05/20: Cardinals surge back to top of Power Rankings
05/21: Nationals' Strasburg placed on 10-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation, retro to 05/20/2018
05/21: Brewers extend RHP Zach Davies four years, will pay him $36.1M through 2023
05/22: Dodgers place RHP David Phelps (oblique) on 10-day disabled list, retro to 05/21/2018

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

KELLER RE-CALLED; LOPEZ MOVED BACK TO BULLPEN
Southpaw Vasto sent down to make room
By artoodeetoo
05/23/2019

The Royals re-called last year's big rotation surprise in Brad Keller today, as they continue to shuffle the roster to try and reverse the team's fortunes. Keller was 8-8 with a 3.79 ERA in twenty-two appearances last season for the Royals, with seventeen starts as part of that.

With losses in eight of their last ten games, including a crushing 8-6 defeat in which they held a 6-5 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, they seem to be looking for any spark. Jorge Lopez made two starts with mixed results -- his first start was magnificent, with seven strikeouts in five innings while allowing just a pair of hits. His second one, he allowed ten hits in five innings with no strikeouts.

Keller got off to a rough start in Triple-A as he tried to work on his secondary pitches, allowing five homeruns in his first two starts, posting a 9.00 ERA. But his last six starts have been solid, posting a 3.16 ERA with twenty-one strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings over that same time frame.

His K/9 rate is still concerning, with just 5.8 strikeouts per nine innings (that number drops to 5.6 if you take out his two bad first starts). But, he's inducing grounders at a better clip; and has given up just four homeruns over his last six starts, and never more than one in any of those outings.

"He still has some things to work on, but our scouts feel he's done about all he can do in the minors," said Royals minor-league director Rene' Francisco. "It's time to see if he can put some of those things to action with the big club."

Keller will get the ball tomorrow night against Cleveland, as he'll face veteral Trevor Bauer at 7:10 for the first pitch.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

STATS & STANDINGS UPDATE

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

CLEVELAND INDIANS (22-28) @ KANSAS CITY ROYALS (20-31)



PITCHING MATCHUPS

05/24: RHP Trevor Bauer (2-4, 5.61) vs RHP Brad Keller (0-0, 0.00)
05/25: RHP Carlos Carrasco (4-2, 6.39) vs RHP Luis Cessa (3-2, 4.47)
05/26: RHP Mike Clevinger (2-4, 4.65) vs LHP Danny Duffy (4-2, 3.31)

GAME RECAPS

May 24th, 2019
Cleveland (22-29) 4, Kansas City (21-31) 5
Winner: Brad Keller (1-0) Loser: Trevor Bauer (2-5) Save: Trevor Rosenthal (5)

KELLER WINS FIRST START OF SEASON

Making his first MLB start of 2019, Brad Keller went six innings, allowing three earned runs while scattering five hits in a 5-4 Royals victory. Kansas City led from the third inning on, as they took a 3-2 lead and held onto it throughout the remainder of the game. After his blown save two nights ago, Trevor Rosenthal pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his fifth save of the season. The Royals' first four hitters combined to go 7-for-18 with three runs scored, a homerun, and three RBI. Part of that salvo was Nicky Lopez's second homerun of the season, and Billy Hamilton and Adalberto Mondesi each stole a base.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Boston (35-17) 6, Toronto (21-28) 5
Cleveland (22-29) 4, Kansas City (21-31) 5
LA Angels (23-29) 6, Baltimore (21-30) 5
Seattle (28-24) 3, Detroit (18-31) 1
Atlanta (26-25) 4, NY Yankees (34-17) 13
Minnesota (22-27) 6, Houston (26-24) 2 (Final/12)
San Francisco (25-25) 0, Texas (22-29) 3
Chi. Sox (26-26) 0, Oakland (25-28) 5

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Colorado (32-19) 3, Pittsburgh (30-19) 1
Miami (19-32) 2, Philadelphia (23-27) 6
Tampa Bay (27-24) 8, Washington (29-22) 1
NY Mets (29-21) 8, Cincinnati (12-40) 2 (Final/12)
Chi. Cubs (26-23) 1, St. Louis (33-17) 5
Milwaukee (26-26) 3, San Diego (25-26) 2 (Final/11)
LA Dodgers (32-20) 6, Arizona (24-26) 10

May 25th, 2019
Cleveland (23-29) 6, Kansas City (21-32) 5
Winner: Dan Otero (3-0) Loser: Trevor Rosenthal (0-2) Save: Randall Delgado (1)

BULLPEN BLOWS ANOTHER LATE LEAD

Cleveland scored twice each in the eighth and ninth innings, toppling the Royals 6-5 in AL Central action. The Indians' victory stopped a season-worst six-game losing skid, and kept the Royals cooled off as Kansas City has gone 3-9 in their last twelve games. Luis Cessa was pitching reasonably well for Kansas City when he left with an arm injury, later diagnosed as a forearm strain that likely won't keep him out for any additional starts. Nathan Karns pitched well in relief, retiring his first seven hitters before being tagged with a run later after Kelvin Herrera allowed RBI hits in the eighth. Southpaw Richard Lovelady, who came on in relief of Karns, left after one out with a lower back problem; and with no one else to face a run of left-handed hitters, Herrera was knocked around a bit. Francisco Lindor hit a one-out, two-run homerun against Trevor Rosenthal in the ninth to put Cleveland back ahead, and the Royals couldn't mount a rally despite getting a runner on in the bottom of the frame.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Boston (36-17) 8, Toronto (21-29) 3
Cleveland (23-29) 6, Kansas City (21-32) 5
LA Angels (24-29) 6, Baltimore (21-31) 5
Seattle (29-24) 4, Detroit (18-32) 3 (Final/10)
Atlanta (26-26) 3, NY Yankees (35-17) 7
Minnesota (22-28) 4, Houston (27-24) 12
San Francisco (25-26) 3, Texas (23-29) 3
Chi. Sox (26-27) 2, Oakland (26-28) 5

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Colorado (33-19) 6, Pittsburgh (30-20) 5
Miami (19-33) 2, Philadelphia (24-27) 7
Tampa Bay (28-24) 6, Washington (29-23) 1
NY Mets (30-21) 6, Cincinnati (12-41) 1
Chi. Cubs (26-24) 4, St. Louis (34-17) 10
Milwaukee (27-26) 6, San Diego (25-27) 2
LA Dodgers (32-21) 2, Arizona (25-26) 6

May 26th, 2019
Cleveland (24-29) 4, Kansas City (21-33) 1
Winner: James Hoyt (2-0) Loser: Danny Duffy (4-3) Save: Randall Delgado (2)

INDIANS RALLY; KNOCK KANSAS CITY OFF

A three-run eighth inning by the Indians sent them to their second straight victory, a 4-1 decision. Francisco Lindor, who was the Indians' hero in last night's game, drilled a two-run double to break a 1-1 tie before a wild pitch brought Yandy Diaz home with an additional insurance run. Danny Duffy pitched well, going seven innings and leaving with a 1-1 tie, but was tagged with the loss as one of the runs scored on Lindor's hit was his responsibility. Cheslor Cuthbert hit a first-inning solo homerun; and later added a double in the seventh, but his homerun was the only run the Royals' offense could muster against Mike Clevinger.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Boston (37-17) 4, Toronto (21-30) 1
Cleveland (24-29) 4, Kansas City (21-33) 1
LA Angels (24-30) 4, Baltimore (22-31) 5
Seattle (29-25) 2, Detroit (19-32) 4
Atlanta (26-27) 0, NY Yankees (36-17) 4
Minnesota (22-29) 4, Houston (28-24) 10
San Francisco (25-27) 2, Texas (24-29) 6
Chi. Sox (26-28) 2, Oakland (27-28) 5

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Colorado (34-19) 8, Pittsburgh (30-21) 5
Miami (19-34) 2, Philadelphia (25-27) 8
Tampa Bay (28-25) 5, Washington (30-23) 6 (Final/10)
NY Mets (31-21) 7, Cincinnati (12-42) 5
Chi. Cubs (27-24) 4, St. Louis (34-18) 0
Milwaukee (27-27) 3, San Diego (26-27) 4
LA Dodgers (32-22) 3, Arizona (26-26) 4

MAJOR NEWS/INJURIES/TRANSACTIONS
05/24: Orioles activate RHP Hiang-ta Zhang; send to Triple-A Norfolk for rehab stint
05/25: AL, NL All-Star voting begins in earnest
05/25: Cardinals RHP Luke Weaver to miss eight to nine more weeks with hamstring strain re-injury
05/26: Twins' Hildenberger to miss two to three additional months with torn flexor tendon

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

ROYALS MOVE PHILLIPS TO DISABLED LIST
Bonifacio re-called from Omaha
By artoodeetoo
05/27/2019

Three days after leaving early with a back issue against Cleveland, the Royals have decided to place outfielder Brett Phillips on the 10-day disabled list this morning with what was officially diagnosed as a lower back strain.

Phillips made a pinch-hit appearance the following night, but struck out, and didn't play in last night's game.

Acquired from the Brewers along with Jorge Lopez for Mike Moustakas last year at the deadline, Phillips has struggled mightily at the plate, hitting just .196 with four homeruns and twenty RBI through the first fifty games of the season.

Jorge Bonifacio was re-called to take his spot on the active roster; it is the second stint for Bonifacio this season with the Royals.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

LOS ANGELES ANGELS (24-30) @ KANSAS CITY ROYALS (21-33)



PITCHING MATCHUPS

05/27: RHP Shohei Ohtani (3-7, 5.66) vs RHP Jake Junis (1-4, 4.46)
05/28: RHP Alex Meyer (4-3, 4.18) vs RHP Trevor Oaks (4-3, 3.54)
05/29: LHP Jose Rances Suarez (3-2, 4.95) vs RHP Brad Keller (1-0, 4.50)
05/30: RHP Matt Shoemaker (3-3, 4.57) vs RHP Luis Cessa (3-2, 4.41)

GAME RECAPS

May 27th, 2019
LA Angels (24-31) 2, Kansas City (22-33) 8
Winner: Jake Junis (2-4) Loser: Shohei Ohtani (3-8) Save: None

ROYALS WIN BEHIND EIGHTH-INNING SALVO

The game still hung in the balance late, with the Royals holding a 4-2 lead over the Angels going into the bottom of the seventh; but a two-out RBI single from Nicky Lopez, followed by a three-run homerun off the bat of Ryan O'Hearn, put the game out of reach as the Royals pulled away with an 8-2 victory. Jake Junis earned the victory, allowing two earned runs over six innings with eight strikeouts, to move to 2-4 on the season. Cheslor Cuthbert lost a modest hitting streak at nine, but extended another streak -- he's now reached base in thirty-four straight games, a career-high and the longest Royals' reached-base streak since Whit Merrifield reached base in thirty-nine straight games during the 2017 season. He extended the streak in a conspicuous way, with an intentional walk in the seventh.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Minnesota (22-29) @ Chi. Sox (26-28) -- PPD
Miami (20-34) 6, Boston (37-18) 4
Tampa Bay (28-26) 0, NY Yankees (37-17) 3
LA Angels (24-31) 2, Kansas City (22-33) 8
Seattle (30-25) 5, Baltimore (22-32) 5
Toronto (22-30) 7, Texas (24-30) 6
Cleveland (24-30) 2, Detroit (20-32) 3
Oakland (28-28) 3, Houston (28-25) 2

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Chi. Cubs (28-24) 4, Cincinnati (12-43) 3
Pittsburgh (31-21) 2, St. Louis (34-19) 1
NY Mets (32-21) 6, Atlanta (26-28) 5
Milwaukee (27-28) 10, San Francisco (26-27) 11 (Final/11)
Philadelphia (26-27) 5, LA Dodgers (32-23) 4
Colorado (34-20) 4, San Diego (27-27) 6
Washington (30-24) 3, Arizona (27-26) 5

May 28th, 2019
LA Angels (24-32) 1, Kansas City (23-33) 5
Winner: Trevor Oaks (5-3) Loser: Alex Meyer (4-4) Save: None

KANSAS CITY PULLS AWAY LATE AGAIN

A three-run sixth inning, capped off by a two-run homerun from Adalberto Mondesi; staked the Royals to a 5-1 lead at the time, cruising to the victory by that same score. Trevor Oaks picked up his team-high fifth victory, allowing one run over seven innings, fanning three with no walks and scattering seven hits. The only run came in the fifth inning on a Shohei Ohtani homerun as part of a 2-for-4 day for the Japanese phenom. *In addition to his homerun, Mondesi also singled and stole a base, his 21st of the season. Billy Hamilton was 0-for-3 with a pair of walks, and stole his team-high 23rd base, although he was also caught once. Nicky Lopez was also cut down on the basepaths trying to steal, but also collected a pair of hits on the day to raise his average to .336.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Minnesota (23-29) 6, Chi. Sox (26-29) 5 (G1)
Minnesota (23-30) 11, Chi. Sox (27-29) 18 (G2)
Miami (20-35) 2, Boston (38-18) 5
Tampa Bay (28-27) 5, NY Yankees (38-17) 8
LA Angels (24-32) 1, Kansas City (23-33) 5
Seattle (30-26) 8, Baltimore (23-32) 11
Toronto (23-30) 7, Texas (24-31) 5
Cleveland (25-30) 11, Detroit (20-33) 1
Oakland (28-29) 2, Houston (29-25) 4

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Chi. Cubs (29-24) 7, Cincinnati (12-44) 1
Pittsburgh (31-22) 3, St. Louis (35-19) 4 (Final/11)
NY Mets (32-22) 3, Atlanta (27-28) 4
Milwaukee (28-28) 6, San Francisco (26-28) 1
Philadelphia (26-28) 11, LA Dodgers (33-23) 12
Colorado (35-20) 3, San Diego (27-28) 2
Washington (30-25) 4, Arizona (28-26) 6

May 29th, 2019
LA Angels (25-32) 1, Kansas City (23-34) 5
Winner: Nick Hagadone (1-2) Loser: Jorge Lopez (2-5) Save: None

ROYALS FALL IN EXTRAS

Adam Jones hit a pair of homeruns, including a solo homerun to break a tie in the 12th, to push the Angels over Kansas City by a 9-8 count. The Royals led 1-0 after three, but the floodgates opened for both squads in the middle and late innings, with each team scoring at least one run in each of the next five innings. Making his second start of the season, Brad Keller allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings of work, fanning just one with no walks.

b]AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD[/b]
Minnesota (23-31) 6, Chi. Sox (28-29) 7
Miami (20-36) 5, Boston (39-18) 9
Tampa Bay (29-27) 5, NY Yankees (38-18) 4
LA Angels (25-32) 9, Kansas City (23-34) 8 (Final/12)
Seattle (30-27) 4, Baltimore (24-32) 6
Toronto (24-30) 13, Texas (24-32) 5
Cleveland (26-30) 10, Detroit (20-34) 8
Oakland (28-30) 3, Houston (30-25) 5

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Chi. Cubs (30-24) 4, Cincinnati (12-45) 1
Pittsburgh (31-23) 6, St. Louis (36-19) 8
NY Mets (32-23) 2, Atlanta (28-28) 6
Milwaukee (28-29) 2, San Francisco (27-28) 3
Philadelphia (27-28) 3, LA Dodgers (33-24) 2
Colorado (35-21) 8, San Diego (28-28) 10
Washington (30-26) 6, Arizona (29-26) 7

May 30th, 2019
LA Angels (26-32) 9, Kansas City (23-35) 3
Winner: Jose Alvarez (2-1) Loser: Luis Cessa (3-3) Save: None

ANGELS WIN BEHIND UPTON'S BIG GAME

With a double, a homerun, and a walk, Justin Upton drove in five of the Angels' nine runs as they tripled up the host Royals by a 9-3 count. They scored four runs off starter Luis Cessa in the first inning, and Cessa allowed seven runs over five innings after giving up a three-run homerun in the fifth to Upton to chase him from the game. Kansas City managed just three runs in the game, two of them coming in the fifth inning thanks to RBI hits from Nicky Lopez and Alex Gordon. The Royals added a third run in the eighth on a Ryan O'Hearn double, but was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple, ending the inning. Mike Trout added a two-run homerun in the sixth inning off Nathan Karns, his ninth of the season.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Detroit (21-34) 4, Minnesota (23-32) 1
Baltimore (25-32) 3, Boston (39-19) 2
NY Yankees (39-18) 18, Seattle (30-28) 0
LA Angels (26-32) 9, Kansas City (23-35) 3
Toronto (24-31) 6, Texas (25-32) 7
Oakland (28-31) 2, Houston (31-25) 5

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Pittsburgh (31-24) 4, NY Mets (33-23) 8
Washington (30-27) 2, Arizona (30-26) 6
St. Louis (36-20) 2, Chi. Cubs (31-24) 8
Philadelphia (27-29) 5, LA Dodgers (34-24) 8
Miami (21-36) 7, Atlanta (28-29) 6

MAJOR NEWS/INJURIES/TRANSACTIONS
05/27: Red Sox' Harper, Nats' Turner earn Player of the Week honors
05/27: Boston, Yanks, Rox 1-2-3 in new Power Rankings; Cards drop to fourth
05/28: Tigers send RHP Michael Fulmer, OF Nick Castellanos to Triple-A Toledo for rehab assignments
05/29: Orioles closer Hiang-ta Zhang activated from rehab assignment
05/30: Stephen Strasburg activated from disabled list; expected to make next start

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

2019 DRAFT PREVIEW
Royals have largest draft bonus pool at $10.33M
By artoodeetoo
05/31/2019

Armed with a top-ten pick and the highest draft budget ($10.33M), the Royals appear primed to make a splash in the upcoming draft on June 5th. It won't be near the bonanza last year, as they parlayed four first-round picks into four college pitchers (all with varying levels of success so far this year). With a deep pool of college pitchers this year, combined with last year's haul, the need really isn't there, but don't tell that to general manager Travis Greenleaf.

"Oh, I think you always need pitching," he said at his monthly press conference earlier this week. "If it, it being the board, lines up with that pick, we'll take a pitcher. But, I don't think we're done at other spots in the organization, either."

Despite that, the Royals have been linked most often in recent mocks to University of Kentucky southpaw Andy Miller, who fanned 138 hitters in 118 1/3 innings for the Wildcats this past season, just one year after sitting out per NCAA transfer rules via Maryland. Another college pitcher with ties to Kansas City in some mocks has been a local-area product in University of Kansas righty Ryan Zeferjahn.

Pitching mainly as a starter, Zeferjahn posted a 2.88 ERA in 88 1/3 innings, although he missed three weeks with a shoulder issue that might give teams some pause. He has a three-pitch mix (fastball, slider, changeup) that all profile out to be plus offerings.

However, prep pitching has been a real sore spot for the Royals in the past -- in 2015, the Royals took high school pitchers Ashe Russell and Nolan Watson in the first round that year. Russell got off to a decent start in 2015, spinning a 4.24 ERA in eleven starts for Burlington in 2015. But he nearly gave up the game in 2016, making just two appearances before walking away from baseball for nearly two seasons. The Royals welcomed him back with open arms, but didn't fare well with Idaho Falls last year; pitching to an 8.05 ERA in 19 IP, even though he fanned twenty-two. He's expected to pitch out of the pen for Burlington again in 2019.

Watson and lefty Garrett Davila, who was taken in the fourth round that year; have had steadier, if not unspectacular, careers to date. Even though he's never posted an ERA below 5.00 in any of his professional seasons so far, Watson is off to the best start of his career in 2019, as he's 5-1 in nine starts with Lexington with a 3.33 ERA in 51 1/3 innings of work. Davila split time between Lexington and High-A Wilmington, with his best success coming with the Legends. He was 2-1 in seven starts for Lexington with a 2.54 ERA, but just a 5.06 ERA in 85 1/3 innings with the Blue Rocks.

Not surprisingly, the Royals have stayed away from the high school ranks when it comes to pitching in the last two drafts, opting for more advanced college hurlers. Now, they may feel they can take more risks at the top of the draft with the relatively solid success they've had with college arms in 2017 and 2018. It's not a deep draft of high school pitchers, but there are a few that are worth watching for (Brandon Walker, Mack Anglin, Kendall Williams). All three are committed to Power 5 schools.

The Royals have had some success with high school bats, however; and younger position players in general recently. In the more distant past, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer were both huge hits in the first round out of high school. The best recent example is 2016 third-round pick Khalil Lee, who mashed through High-A and even Double-A in 2018, hitting twenty-four homeruns between the two stops.

Lee is to a slow start in Triple-A this year, hitting just .214 in 203 plate appearances, but still has shown solid plate discipline (24 BB) and six steals in seven attempts. Seuly Matias wasn't drafted (rather, was an international free agent), but he hit 33 homeruns in Single-A in 2018, and is on pace for nearly thirty in High-A this year, if he doesn't get moved up again at some point.

First baseman Nick Pratto, who was picked 14th overall in 2017, is at High-A and after missing the first three weeks with a back injury, has started slow since returning, but this is first season with Wilmington, so there is scant evidence of his ability at that level.

Of course, everyone knows who Bubba Starling is, whom the Royals took fifth overall out of Gardner-Edgerton High School near Kansas City in 2011; and outside of a cup of coffee the last handful of years, has not contributed above Triple-A, getting designated for assignment earlier this season. There are some quality high school bats in this draft -- shortstops Bobby Witt, Jr., and Rece Hinds come to mind, along with second baseman Gunnar Henderson and outfielder Riley Greene, all projected to go in the top fifteen picks. Witt, the son of the former MLB pitcher by the same name, is considered by many to be the top available player regardless of position or age.

The draft begins at 6 PM Eastern time on June 5th, with the Baltimore Orioles slated to make the first selection.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

TAMPA BAY RAYS (29-27) @ KANSAS CITY ROYALS (23-35)



PITCHING MATCHUPS

05/31: RHP Brent Honeywell (3-3, 5.52) vs LHP Danny Duffy (4-3, 3.24)
06/01: RHP Yonny Chirinos (4-2, 3.41) vs RHP Jake Junis (2-4, 4.33)
06/02: RHP Tyler Glasnow (3-2, 2.94) vs RHP Trevor Oaks (5-3, 3.35)

GAME RECAPS

May 31st, 2019
Tampa Bay (29-28) 3, Kansas City (24-35) 4
Winner: Richard Lovelady (3-2) Loser: Chaz Roe (4-2) Save: None

SOLER POWERS ROYALS WALK-OFF VICTORY

Jorge Soler entered the game in the fifth inning after Alex Gordon suffered an injury diving for a line drive in the previous half-inning; but ended up being the Royals' hero, doubling twice in three at-bats, including a bases-loaded double to walk Tampa off in a 4-3 victory. Soler hit a line drive over third off Ian Gibaut that rattled around in the corner; getting away from left fielder Tommy Pham, which allowed Ryan O'Hearn to score all the way from first on a close play. In the seventh inning, Soler also drove in the Royals' other run on a double off Brent Honeywell, which was the only run he allowed in eight innings as he ended up not factoring in the decision. Chaz Roe entered the game for the save up 3-1, but back-to-back-to-back singles loaded the bases before Roe fanned Peter Alonso, giving way to Gibaut after Roe had already racked up nearly thirty-five pitches.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Tampa Bay (29-28) 3, Kansas City (24-35) 4
Cincinnati (12-46) 12, Cleveland (27-30) 14
Baltimore (26-32) 5, Boston (39-20) 5
Detroit (21-35) 3, Minnesota (24-32) 6
Toronto (25-31) 3, Houston (31-26) 1
Oakland (28-32) 4, LA Angels (27-32) 11
Texas (25-33) 10, Chi. Sox (29-29) 13
NY Yankees (40-18) 11, Seattle (30-29) 3

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Pittsburgh (31-25) 0, NY Mets (34-23) 4
St. Louis (37-20) 5, Chi. Cubs (31-25) 1
Miami (21-37) 3, Atlanta (29-29) 4
Washington (31-27) 11, Colorado (35-22) 1
Arizona (31-26) 7, San Diego (28-29) 0
Milwaukee (28-30) 5, LA Dodgers (35-24) 9
Philadelphia (27-30) 1, San Francisco (28-28) 8

June 1st, 2019
LA Angels (24-32) 1, Kansas City (23-33) 5
Winner: Trevor Oaks (5-3) Loser: Alex Meyer (4-4) Save: None

RAYS KEEP ROYALS AT ARM'S LENGTH IN VICTORY

Tampa seemingly had an answer for every Royals rally, as they never trailed throughout in a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Rays. Catcher Jesus Sucre, who came into the game hitting just .115, was 3-for-4 with a homerun in the contest. Tommy Pham kicked off the scoring with a two-run double in the first off Jake Junis, before Jorge Soler cut the deficit in half with an RBI single. The Royals pulled to within one on a double from Ryan O'Hearn in the sixth, and again in the seventh following a C.J. Cron homerun, but couldn't break through for the big inning against the Rays' bullpen. Yonny Chirinos has been steady for the Rays this season, picking up his fifth win following five and one-third innings of work, striking out five with just two walks.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Tampa Bay (30-28) 5, Kansas City (24-36) 3
Cincinnati (13-46) 8, Cleveland (27-31) 7
Baltimore (27-32) 6, Boston (39-21) 4
Detroit (22-35) 8, Minnesota (24-33) 6
Toronto (26-31) 4, Houston (31-27) 3 (Final/10)
Oakland (28-33) 2, LA Angels (28-32) 4
Texas (26-33) 17, Chi. Sox (29-30) 10
NY Yankees (40-19) 2, Seattle (31-29) 3

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Pittsburgh (31-26) 2, NY Mets (35-23) 3
St. Louis (37-21) 2, Chi. Cubs (32-25) 3
Miami (21-38) 5, Atlanta (30-29) 8
Washington (31-28) 6, Colorado (36-22) 9
Arizona (31-27) 4, San Diego (29-29) 8
Milwaukee (28-31) 3, LA Dodgers (36-24) 8
Philadelphia (28-30) 3, San Francisco (28-29) 2

June 2nd, 2019
Tampa Bay (30-29) 1, Kansas City (25-36) 3
Winner: Trevor Oaks (6-3) Loser: Tyler Glasnow (3-3) Save: Trevor Rosenthal (6)

OAKS SOLID; ROYALS TAKE SERIES

Trevor Oaks was locked in, going six innings while allowing one run with three strikeouts, as the Royals took the game and the series with a 3-1 decision. The Royals did all their damage in the second inning, as Jose Iglesias stroked a two-RBI double, and Salvador Perez knocked him home with a single. Four Royals relievers combined to throw three scoreless innings, with Trevor Rosenthal picking up his sixth save in eight tries. The Rays' only run came on a two-out RBI single by Matt Joyce in the fourth inning. Tomorrow is an off-day for travel before they start a three-game series with the Yankees in New York.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Tampa Bay (30-29) 1, Kansas City (25-36) 3
Cincinnati (13-47) 2, Cleveland (28-31) 7
Baltimore (27-33) 3, Boston (40-21) 6
Detroit (22-36) 4, Minnesota (25-33) 6
Toronto (26-32) 1, Houston (32-27) 3
Oakland (28-34) 0, LA Angels (29-32) 9
Texas (26-34) 6, Chi. Sox (30-30) 7 (Final/10)
NY Yankees (41-19) 3, Seattle (31-30) 4

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Pittsburgh (32-26) 7, NY Mets (35-24) 5
St. Louis (37-22) 4, Chi. Cubs (33-25) 5 (Final/11)
Miami (21-39) 0, Atlanta (31-29) 2
Washington (31-29) 6, Colorado (37-22) 7
Arizona (31-28) 2, San Diego (30-29) 8
Milwaukee (28-32) 0, LA Dodgers (37-24) 5
Philadelphia (28-31) 4, San Francisco (29-29) 5

MAJOR NEWS/INJURIES/TRANSACTIONS
05/31: St. Louis 1B/3B Matt Carpenter returns from rehab assignment to Triple-A Memphis
06/01: Stephen Strasburg goes 4 2/3 innings in first start back; allows six hits in 68 pitches
06/01: Bryce Harper to miss two to three weeks with oblique strain
06/01: Red Sox' Benintendi, Dodgers' Bellinger earn May's Player of the Month awards
06/01: Tanaka, Robbie Ray win Pitcher of the Month awards for May
06/02: Texas' Ronald Guzman, San Diego's Luis Urias win May's Rookies of the Month
06/02: Harper, Freeman top All-Star vote getters through Sunday