It Happens

The last two games have been gross. That’s probably the kindest thing I can say about the performances the offense and starting pitching unleashed on their unsuspecting fans. If you’re ready to jump ship and classify the 2013 team as the same old Royals, slow down and consider this, games like these happen. Sometimes terrible pitchers beat good teams. Last August Tyler Chatwood and his 6.61 ERA lead the way in a shut out of the eventual World Series winning Giants. That likely does little to console, but in a 162 game season season, games like these will be sprinkled throughout.

Apr 29, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher

(22) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

To bring it closer to home take a look at the 1985 Royals. In June they lost three  in a row to the struggling Mariners. The starting pitchers for Seattle those three games?  Frank Wills (70 ERA+), Matt Young (86 ERA+) and Bill Swift (88 ERA+). The ’85 team is actually a decent comp for this years team. They had a strong rotation, good bullpen, and an offense that had only three above average hitters. Sound familiar? The Royals may turn out to be closer to the 2011 team record-wise but we don’t know that yet. It’s April and there’s still a whole lot of ball left to be played.

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If you haven’t heard, MLB is expanding their presence on YouTube. If you want to see Bo Jackson run up a wall or rob  a home run, or if you just want to watch game six and game seven of the 1985 World Series, well now you can. Be warned though, with the good comes the bad.