Royals Yost Needs To Capitalize On Opportunities

Mar 11, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (3) looks on during the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost (3) looks on during the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 4, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore watches batting practice before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 4, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore watches batting practice before the game against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas City’s success over the past two seasons can really be attributed to one thing: the team General Manager Dayton Moore put together. The way that team has played would make any manager look good, even Yost.

The all-time leader for wins in Kansas City was back at it on Opening Day, leading his Royals to a 4-3 win against the New York Mets. But Should it have even been that close?

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Let’s recap: Gold Glover Yeonis Cespedes dropped a routine fly ball off the bat of Mike Moustakas, who eventually scored the first run of the season on an RBI-single from Eric Hosmer. Kansas City added another run in the fourth and two more in the sixth to open up a 4-0 lead.

That’s when Yost made his move, pulling reliever Kelvin Herrera for Royals-returner Joakim Soria in the eighth. Soria was once great in Kansas City, and for all we know, he will win the Cy Young this year.

But he did not have it in Sunday’s opener. Yost let him keep throwing. A single, then a walk, then another walk, then a 2-run single, before another run, and another single.

Finally, Luke Hochevar was called in to put out the fire, but only after the Mets got the tying run in scoring position.

We are supposed to take comfort in the idea that a manager knows his players better than we fans ever could. From the couch, it sure looked like Soria needed to get pulled early.

His line of three hits and two walked batters in less than an inning backs that up.

Letting him stay in with that solid bullpen and two off days coming up? These are the types of decisions that made Yost a less-than-popular figure before all the winning made us forget.

Next: Yost Made Questionable Decisions On Tuesday