2) Alcides Escobar Returns To Leadoff Spot
With Whit Merrifield getting a break Saturday night at second base, manager Ned Yost moved shortstop Alcides Escobar back to the lead-off spot. I must confess, this sign that Yost still thinks of Escobar as a viable no. 1 hitter drives me nuts.
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What’s scary is that the KC Royals might go on a hot streak with Escobar batting lead-off and have Yost once again decide he brings some voodoo to the no. 1 position. Even with some recent success, Escobar still has a .287 on base percentage, which is awful any way you cut it.
Of course, Escobar got on base twice Saturday night going 1 for 4 with a walk. With the Royals scoring eight runs and winning the game, I’m pretty scared to see the lineup card come Sunday. Escobar might find himself back in the lead-off spot once again.
Oh, the joys of cheering for a team managed by Ned Yost.
I guess Kansas City Royals fans will just have to think about those two consecutive AL pennants instead of thinking about Yost’s lineup construction. I mean it’s freaking crystal clear that Escobar is a bottom of the lineup kind of guy. His career .297 OBP would make that obvious to everyone but Ned Yost.
Next: Wade Davis