Royals rolling through 16 games in 2011!
With the season just about ten percent done so far here in 2011, the Royals are right where they want to be. They are playing solid baseball and and the season looks promising.
The Royals are currently 11-5 and lead the Central Divison by a half game over the Chicago White Sox. They also have the third best record in the NABL.
First and foremost, the biggest help has been the addition of
Joe Blanton. The free agent arrival has been lights out this season. He currently sits at 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA. If you take away the three run homerun he gave up last night to Troy Glaus, he would have an ERA around one.
And in his third start of the season, Blanton pitched a three hit shutout against the Cleveland Indians. In 28 innings so far this season, he has allowed 16 hits and struck out 29. And most importantly he has won all of his games on the road so far.
Along with Blanton's strong start,
Bobby Brownlie has also pitched very well. In his first two starts this season he went eight innings both times and struck out 15 batters against the New York Yankees in his second start. His last start wasn't the greatest but he currently sits at 2-0 in this young season.
New closer and free agent arrival
Brian Meadows also has been lights out so far. He is three for three in save opportunities and has a sparkling 0.00 ERA.
If you are reading closely, you will see a trend developing. They Royals usually have one of the worst staffs in baseball but this year its the exact opposite.
They currently have the second best ERA in the AL with 3.36 number, second best starters ERA also with 3.63 and their usual dreadful pen has a sparkling 2.61 ERA so far and that is ranked third in the AL.
Murray Turner, the Royals new pitching coach, has certainly paid dividends already. He was brought in to give a new voice to the pitchers and manager
Antonio DeLeon, couldn't be happier. "From day one, the guys have just taken to what he has said. We were always known for having a very weak staff but so far this year, our staff has been leading us and helping us win. It feels great so far this season."
Here are the pitching statistics so far this season:
The offense usually is the one getting all the attention in Kansas City but they have taken somewhat of a backseat so far this season.
They have the eighth best average in the AL with .270 and sixth in OPS with .777. They have scored the fourth most runs in the AL with 93 and are tenth in home runs with 13.
One player certainly not contempt with being on page two is SS
Rudolph Shaeffer. Shaeffer has been crushing the ball since his Opening Day 5 game suspension from the brawl.
He is currently hitting .419 in 43 at bats so far this season. He also leads the team in RBI's with 14. "I am just seeing the ball really well this season. It was unfortunate I missed the first few games of the season but hopefully I am making it up by my recent play."
First baseman
Melvin Colmenares, is also on top of his game so far in 2011. He is hitting .317 so far in April with three home runs and 12 RBI's. This is a far contrast from last year when he hit just .189 in April.
But one low point for this year's offense has been the bat of DH
William Quattlebaum. He was moved to the leadoff spot this season and has struggled greatly. So far this season he has hit .176 with three home runs and 9 RBI's.
The last two games he has been moved to the seventh spot in favor of 2B
Joey Ros and Ros has been great so far hitting leadoff. In the past two games, he is 3-7 with one walk, a triple, RBI and three runs scored.
Quattlebaum lead team last year in home runs with 28 and was hitting in the sixth spot most of the season. Many wonder if he is just not comfortable hitting lead off and his numbers back up that assessment.
Here are the current batting stats so far this season:
So overall is has been a very successful start to the season. Now its only 16 games completed of a 162 game schedule but the Royals are looking like they are for real so far this season. Lets just hope they can keep it up! Lets go Royals!!