These are the current American League Wild Card standings. The Yankees now sit two games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays have played poorly of late, dropping 7 of their last 10 games. This is exactly the time for the Yankees to make a move and play catch-up. They’ve got these next two games against the Orioles and then a big three-game series against the Boston Red Sox. At this point in the season, every head-to-head game is crucial. They can’t really afford to lose many more games to the Orioles or Rays with only 17 games left to play in the regular season. If I were a betting man, I wouldn’t say the Yankees have a great chance at making the playoffs..but it’s definitely doable. As I write this post, the Cleveland Indians are losing 5-2 to the Kansas City Royals in the top of the 8th inning. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Posts Tagged ‘Kansas City Royals’
Where they stand now: AL Wild Card
Posted in Yankee News, Yankees Miscellaneous, Yankees Outlook, tagged AL Wild Card, American League, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, Regular Season, Standings, Tampa Bays Ray, Texas Rangers on September 11, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Game #91: Royals at Yankees
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Bronx, Ivan Nova, Kansas City Royals, New York, New York Yankees, Wade Davis, WCBS 880, Yankee Stadium, YES Network on July 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Yankees (48-42) vs. Royalss (43-44)
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Ivan Nova (3-2, 4.09) vs RHP Wade Davis (4-7, 5.42)
Yankees Lineup
Gardner CF
Suzuki RF
Cano 2B
Hafner DH
Almonte LF
Overbay 1B
Nunez SS
Cruz 3B
Stewart C
Game Information:
The game will take place at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. It is scheduled to start at 7:05PM ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network. The game can be heard on the radio on WCBS 880.
Game #35: Yankees at Royals
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Andy Pettitte, James Shields, Kansas City, Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium, Missouri, New York Yankees, WCBS 880, YES Network on May 11, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Photo Courtesy of Nick Laham/Getty Images
Yankees (21-13) vs. Royals (18-14)
Pitching Matchup:
LHP Andy Pettitte (3-2, 4.06) vs RHP James Shields (2-2, 2.52)
Yankees Lineup
Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Wells LF
Hafner DH
Suzuki RF
Nix SS
Overbay 1B
Nelson 3B
Stewart C
Game Information:
The game will take place at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. It is scheduled to start at 7:10PM ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network. The game can be heard on the radio on WCBS 880.
Game #34: Yankees at Royals
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Kansas City, Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium, Missouri, MLB Network, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes, Wade Davis, WCBS 880, YES Network on May 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Yankees (20-13) vs. Royals (18-13)
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Phil Hughes (1-2, 3.60) vs RHP Wade Davis (2-2, 4.75)
Yankees Lineup
Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Wells LF
Hafner DH
Suzuki RF
Nix SS
Overbay 1B
Nelson 3B
Stewart C
Game Information:
The game will take place at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. It is scheduled to start at 8:10PM ET. The game will be televised on the YES and MLB Networks. The game can be heard on the radio on WCBS 880.

Photo Courtesy of Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Pitching probables for the Kansas City Royals series
Posted in Pitching Probables, tagged Andy Pettitte, Ervin Santana, Hiroki Kuroda, James Shields, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes, Wade Davis on May 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »
The Yankees open up a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals tonight. Here are the pitching probables for the series:
Fri: RHP Phil Hughes (1-2, 3.60) vs RHP Wade Davis (2-2, 4.75)
Sat: LHP Andy Pettitte (3-2, 4.06) vs RHP James Shields (2-2, 2.52)
Sun: RHP Hiroki Kuroda (4-2, 2.30) vs RHP Ervin Santana (3-1, 2.36)
Game #35: Royals at Yankees
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Bronx, Ivan Nova, Kansas City Royals, New York, New York Yankees, Sean O'Sullivan, WCBS 880, Yankee Stadium, YES Network on May 12, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Yankees (20-14) vs. Royals (19-17)
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Ivan Nova (3-2, 4.08) vs RHP Sean O’Sullivan (1-2, 3.41)
Yankees Lineup
Jeter DH
Granderson CF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Gardner LF
Nunez SS
Cervelli C
The game will take place at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. It’s scheduled to start at 7:05p.m. ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network. The game can be heard on the WCBS 880 radio station. (more…)
Game #34: Royals at Yankees
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged A.J. Burnett, Bronx, Bruce Chen, Kansas City Royals, New York, New York Yankees, WCBS 880, Yankee Stadium, YES Network on May 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Yankees (20-13) vs. Royals (18-17)
Pitching Matchup:
RHP A.J. Burnett (4-2, 3.71) vs LHP Bruce Chen (4-1, 3.59)
Yankees Lineup
Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Posada DH
Martin C
Gardner LF
The game will take place at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. It’s scheduled to start at 7:05p.m. ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network. The game can be heard on the WCBS 880 radio station. (more…)
Game #33: Royals at Yankees
Posted in Yankees Gameday, tagged Bronx, Freddy Garcia, Kansas City Royals, Kyle Davies, New York, New York Yankees, WCBS 880, Yankee Stadium, YES Network on May 10, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Yankees (19-13) vs. Royals (18-16)
Pitching Matchup:
RHP Freddy Garcia (1-2, 2.88) vs RHP Kyle Davies (1-4, 7.32)
Yankees Lineup
Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Posada DH
Martin C
Gardner LF
The game will take place at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. It’s scheduled to start at 7:05p.m. ET. The game will be televised on the YES Network. The game can be heard on the WCBS 880 radio station. (more…)
Pitching matchups for the Royals series
Posted in Pitching Probables, tagged A.J. Burnett, Bruce Chen, Freddy Garcia, Ivan Nova, Kansas City Royals, Kyle Davies, New York Yankees, Sean O’Sullivan on May 10, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The Yankees open up a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. Here are the pitching probables for the series:
Tue: RHP Freddy Garcia (1-2, 2.88) vs RHP Kyle Davies (1-4, 7.32)
Wed: RHP A.J. Burnett (4-2, 3.71) vs LHP Bruce Chen (4-1, 3.59)
Thurs: RHP Ivan Nova (3-2, 4.08) vs RHP Sean O’Sullivan (1-2, 3.41)
2011 American League Central
Posted in Uncategorized, Yankees Outlook, tagged A.J Pierzinski, Adam Dunn, Alex Gordon, Baseball America, Billy Butler, Carl Pavano, Carlos Santana, Charlie Sheen, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Eric Hosmer, Francisco Liriano, Grady Sizemore, Jake Peavy, Jeff Francouer, Jim Leeyland, Joaquin Benoit, Joe Mauer, Joe Nathan, Joel Zumaya, Jose Valverde, Justin Morneau, Justin Verlander, Kansas City Royals, Kila Ka'aihue, Magglio Ordonez, Matt Capps, Melky Cabrera, Miguel Cabrera, Minnesota Twins, Paul Konerko, Shin Soo-Choo, St. Louis Browns, Victor Martinez, Zack Greinke on March 9, 2011| Leave a Comment »
As good as the AL East is, the opposite may be true of the AL Central. I don’t project any of the five teams to win 90 games – and two could lose more than 100. This is a division that is loaded with teams filled with mediocre talent. In fact, the most interesting team to watch may be the Royals, if only because they may actually have days where they start 9 rookies.
The best of the worst is, once again, the Minnesota Twins. Projected to win the Central by three games, they’ll win based on sound fundamental play, two star players (Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer) and because they’ll be able to bottom feed on 36 games with two of the worst teams since the St. Louis Browns. The starting rotation is suspect, featuring the injury prone tandem of Francisco Liriano and Carl “Strained Buttocks” Pavano. The strongest element of last year’s division winning team, the bullpen, was wracked by free-agent defections – meaning this year’s pen relies on the much-traveled Matt Capps and a not-quite-healthy Joe Nathan. In fact, injury carry-overs from last year could get the Twins out of the gate slowly, as nobody is quite sure if Morneau is sufficiently recovered from last season’s concussion to play first full time yet. If they do start slowly, the crown my well fall to Chicago.
The White Sox made quite a splash this off-season, re-signing Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski and landing Adam Dunn as their new DH. Unfortunately, they would have been better off looking for a starting 3rd baseman and a couple of outfielders, because the current line-up may be one of baseball’s worst group of defenders we’ve seen in a while. Which is a shame, because the Pale Hose have the makings of an outstanding pitching staff – perhaps the best in baseball. If Jake Peavy returns to form after his pectoral tear, they’ll have 6 quality starters and a bullpen that features a bevy of quality (if not nationally known) arms. But the offense will once again be a classic three-outcome type, as typified by Dunn: walk, strike-out or homer. Don’t expect much in the way of sustained rallies or guys flying around the bases at US Cellular Field.
The Tigers look destined for a distant third place finish. The best thing going for this team is that they’re managed by future Hall-of-Famer Jim Leyland. But the star player, Miguel Cabrera, is turning into baseball’s version of Charlie Sheen. Actually, Detroit’s middle of the order could feature some good players, with the addition of Victor Martinez joining Magglio Ordonez. The rest of the supporting cast, though, is supect, featuring such luminaries as Brandon Inge. The back of the bullpen could be solid, if Joaquin Benoit can prove last year wasn’t a fluke, Joel Zumaya can stay healthy and Jose Valverde can stop his decline. But both the starting rotation and middle relief corps are a mess. Aside from Justin Verlander, the Tigers are relying on converted relievers, reclamation projects and prayers.
The youth movement is in full swing in Kansas City. After their farm system was ranked #1 by Baseball America, they might as well give the kids a shot – nothing else has worked for the past 20 years. Yes, they traded away Zack Greinke and made a couple of curious signings in old friend Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francouer. But KC’s real aim this year is to see if youngsters Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, Kila Ka’aihue and Eric Hosmer are ready for prime time.
Bringing up the rear is the Cleveland Indians. Once again, the Tribe is looking more like “The Mistake by the Lake” instead of a major-league team. They do have a bona-fide star in Shin-Soo Choo and a star in the making in catcher Carlos Santana. But otherwise, Cleveland is hoping Grady Sizemore shows enough that he can become a viable trade chip. I’m pretty sure Cleveland fans have to be wondering what they’ve done to deserve the Cavaliers, Browns, and this abomination of a baseball team.
2011 American League Picks
Posted in Yankees Opinion, Yankees Outlook, Yankees Spring Training, tagged American League, Anaheim Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Brad Bergesen, Brian Hoch, Brian Matusz, Carlos Lee, Chicago White Sox, Chris Tillman, Cleveland Indians, Cliff Lee, Detroit Tigers, Jake Arrieta, Jeremy Guthrie, Joakim Soria, John Sterling, Jose Bautista, Justin Duchscherer, Kansas City Royals, Michael Young, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland A's, Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays on March 9, 2011| 9 Comments »
The 2011 Yankees work out during Spring Training
It’s that time of year. Spring training games are underway and baseball fans everywhere are having heated discussions about who will finish where. It’s kind of silly, really. As any Yankee fan can tell you, “You can’t predict baseball.” Still, we make the effort – never mind that mid-season injuries, trades and call-ups always alter the picture. Add in the players who have break-out years (seriously, who thought Jose Bautista would slug 54 homers in 2010?) or unexpectedly terrible ones (think Carlos Lee), and predicting anything this time of year becomes an exercise in futility. But it is a fun exercise, so here I go.
I’ll start by posting the expected finish of team, including record. How did I come to this? I ran 100 season simulations, based on a program I originally wrote for picking football games. Of course, this assumes I’ve correctly guessed every team’s roster on Opening Day and that nobody suffers a significant injury. It’s worked well for me in picking the NFL (as those of you who followed my picks on Twitter last year probably know), but this is the first time I’ve ever tried it in baseball. By the way, the division names double as links, you can hit them to get to a more in-depth prognostication.
- New York Yankees, 105-57 0 GB
- Boston Red Sox, 105-57 0 GB
- Tampa Bay Rays 95-67 10 GB
- Baltimore Orioles 94-68 11 GB
- Toronto Blue Jays 67-95 38 GB
- Minnesota Twins 87-75 0 GB
- Chicago White Sox 84-78 3 GB
- Detroit Tigers 71-91 16 GB
- Kansas City Royals 55-97 32 GB
- Cleveland Indians 45-107 42 GB
- Oakland A’s 97-95 0 GB
- Texas Rangers 85-77 12 GB
- Anaheim Angels 83-79 14 GB
- Seattle Mariners 64-98 33 GB
Yes, the AL East is that good. And yes, Cleveland is that bad.
Season’s biggest surprise: The Oriole starting rotation. I know, you probably think I lost my mind. But the O’s may have the best stable of young arms in the league, with Jake Arrieta (25), Brian Matusz (24), Brad Bergesen (25) and Chris Tillman(23). Add in a resurgent Justin Duchscherer and the steady Jeremy Guthrie, and that’s a lot of promise.
Season’s biggest bust: Texas. They’re really going to miss not re-signing Cliff Lee. Not to mention the whole Michael Young saga is a great case study in how to blow up team chemistry.
MVP candidate: Robinson Cano. If you thought last year was special, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
CY Young Candidate: Since this award seems given to somebody from a losing team lately, I’ll stay with the trend. Here’s a vote for Joakim Soria.
As always, I look forward to your feedback. And…PLAY BALL!!!