That Really Sucked

Series Analysis

Chicago @ Kansas City

Monday April 23 KC 4-7 CHI

Tuesday April 24 KC 7-9 CHI

A quick two game series in Kansas City with Chicago resulted in a quick sweep. The worse part about the two game set was that the Royals had a chance to win both games, but came up with a goose egg...a big fat zero.

The Royals offense continued hitting, putting up runs while the bullpen continued deteriorating, giving up runs and costing the Royals games.

Bullpen Stats for the two game set: 7 2/3 IP 9.39ERA 8ER 4K 5BB 2HR

Is that pathetic or what. The bullpen couldn't get Mario Mendoza out. A weak bullpen has been the Royals downfall the last couple of seasons and apperently this is no differnet. There are several "key" members of the bullpen that started the season on the DL: Octavio Dotel, John Bale and Joe Nelson. Those names don't really strike confidence, but anything is better then this.

2007 Bullpen Stats through the first 20 games

Ryan Braun: 0-0 8 2/3 IP 5.19ERA 8K 7BB

Brandon Duckworth: incomplete-Only 1 game out of pen 2 IP 4.50ERA 2K 1BB

Jimmy Gobble: 0-1 6 2/3 IP 2.70ERA 5K 1BB

Neil Musser: 0-0 1/3 IP o.ooERA 0k 1BB

Joel Peralta: 0-2 11 1/3 IP 7.94ERA 11K 5BB

David Riske: 0-2 9IP 6.00ERA 6K 4BB

Joakim Soria 1-1 10 1/3 IP 3.48ERA 13K 5BB

Todd Wellemeyer 0-0 7 2/3 IP 9.39ERA 5K 8BB

If the above numbers don't make you queazy, you may have a problem. That's enough of the bullpen, my blood pressure is high enough and the bullpen raises it another 10 points or so...

Other Notes

- The bullpen sucks

- Brian Bannister made his first carrer start for the Royals. He was given a 3-run lead, but couldn't hold on. He nibbled a bit to much getting behind the White Sox hitters and they made him pay. His final line: 4 1/3 IP 4R 3ER 4K 3BB

- Seriously, the bullpen sucks

- Royals had a good offensive series: 18/70 .256BA 11RBI 14K 7BB

- John Buck hit his 4th homerun of the year

- Teahen's batting average is up to .281, but still leads the AL in strikeouts with 24

- Gil Meche had a decent outing on Monday: 7 IP 3ER 3K 0BB 1HR...the Royals gave him leads of 2-0 and 3-2, but he couldn't keep the White Sox off the board and left with the game tied at 3-3.

The Royals are off to Minnesota for 3 games.

Royals Fact: The 2007 bullpen is off to the worse start in Royals history.

-b

Royals 2007 Record: 6-14