We will know a World Series matchup by Tuesday at the latest, as the Mets and Dodgers finalize their NLCS matchup in Los Angeles today and possibly tomorrow. At this moment*, the Dodgers lead the Mets 2-1. If the Dodgers win tonight, they will punch their ticket to the World Series for a matchup with… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: Sharp Staying With Royals; Drop the Ball Podcast; Cags in the AFL
The Royals punched their ticket to the postseason on Friday night. Furthermore, they earned the fifth seed in the AL Playoff bracket thanks to their season-ending victory against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. As a result, the 86-76 Royals will travel to Baltimore for a best-of-three series against the 91-71 Orioles, the top Wild-Card seed… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: How Do the Royals Stack Up Against the Orioles? (And Three Questions Regarding the Wild Card Roster)
The Royals lost the series finale against the Pirates on Sunday, 4-3, in a game in which the Kansas City pitching staff walked six batters. It was a disappointing end to what was an encouraging weekend in Pittsburgh. The Royals won the first two games by a combined score of 13-4. On Sunday, they had… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: Royals Finish Road Trip, Can They Seal Things Against Detroit? (Also, McArthur)
The Royals had a winning homestand this week, going 4-2 against the Guardians and Twins, both division foes. How Kansas City got to that winning homestand was atypical, especially considering they were coming off getting swept in a four-game series last weekend in Houston. The Royals started the homestand poorly, losing the series’ first two… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: Pitching Carries Royals to Sweep; Salvy’s Framing; Shaking the Yankees?
The Royals’ series against the Phillies ended with a thud on Sunday. Kansas City lost by a score of 11-3 in the series finale, which is not precisely the momentum they wanted, especially with a vital road series looming on Monday in Cleveland. Many factors contributed to the Royals’ series loss to Philadelphia over the… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: Is Time Running Out for Will Smith? (And Royals Call Up Tyler Gentry)
The Royals had one of their most successful road trips of the season, winning six of seven against the White Sox and Tigers over the past week. Their sixth win came on a go-ahead, pinch-hit three-run home run by MJ Melendez in the top of the ninth on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park. As of… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: McArthur’s Struggles; Royals Hitter Contact Rates; Big Homestand Looming
The Royals escaped from Denver with at least one win, as Maikel Garcia, MJ Melendez, and Bobby Witt, Jr. all homered in Kansas City’s 10-1 victory over the Rockies. The Royals did lose two of three at Coors Field to a Rockies team that currently sits in last place in the NL West with a… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: Royals All-Stars; Schreiber Analysis; Forums at Royals Reporter
Going into the 2024 season, there was some hope that MJ Melendez could bounce back and be a vital part of the Royals’ outfield and lineup. According to Fangraphs splits, Melendez hit .273 with 10 home runs in 227 plate appearances in the second half of 2023. He also produced a 124 wRC+, .356 wOBA,… Read More Should the Royals Send Down MJ Melendez? (And Bring Up Drew Waters?)
Last week, Jared Perkins and Preston Farr of Farm to Fountains and I interviewed Omaha Storm Chasers reliever Walter Pennington on “KC Chase to the Pennant.” Pennington has been absolutely electric with the Storm Chasers, which is encouraging after his robust Cactus League campaign. In 10 outings and 17.2 IP with Omaha, Pennington has a… Read More KC Chase to the Pennant: Interview with Walter Pennington
I will go to the rubber game between the Orioles and Royals at the K this afternoon. I wanted to get a quick post in before the game. Here’s the latest edition of the “Jottings” as I focus on my latest piece for Farm to Fountains; top Royals prospect Blake Mitchell’s strong start in low-A… Read More “Reporter Jottings”: MJ Home and Away Splits; Blake Mitchell Starting Strong; Omaha Players Off to Hot Starts