HOME OPENER
Kansas City Royals (4-1) @ Houston Astros (2-4)
These fuckers again.
The defending World Series Champions return to Houston for the first time since dropping a seven-spot in the last two innings of Game 4.
The Royals continue to win; the Astros look to find a groove at home.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Chris Young (0-1, 3.60) v Collin McHugh (0-1, 135.00)
The last time Young faced the Astros was October 8 – Game 1 of the Division Series in Kansas City. He came in relief of Yordano Ventura, throwing seven strikeouts in four innings while giving up a solo shot to Springer. He pitched well throughout the playoffs, appearing in four games (2 starts) with one win and five earnies. The gigantic Princeton grad threw five innings (2 runs) vs the steM last Tuesday and took the loss as Noah Synderrgaaaaaard blanked the Royals at home.
Collin McHugh looks to fill the hole in the ground he created in the Bronx last week (I assume Michael Feliz gave McHugh the World’s Biggest Swirly on his way to his new assignment). Fortunately with just two outs he’ll surpass last week’s output and divide his gargantuan era by a number that’s less catastrophic.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Kris Medlen (0-0, n/a) v Mike Fiers (0-0, 9.00)
Medlen makes his first appearance of 2016 and first against the Astros since 2013, when, in what must be the most bizarre/sad outings ever, Rick Ankiel went 0-3, Ronny Cedeno went 1-2 and Wade LeBlanc went 0-2. That’s it. According to MLB.com those are the only players he faced, and he faced them multiple times.
Fiers looks to bounce back from his 5 IP/5 ER/2 HR/0 BB outing vs the Yanks last week.
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Yordano Ventura (0-0, 3.60) v Scott Feldman (0-1)
Another helpful feature of MLB.com – I can now tell you that Yordano Ventura averages a spin rate of 2374 rpm, and his average extension is 5.49 feet. I’m not sure how that helps this scouting report (damn stat geeks), but he walked six batters last week vs the Twins so I think he needs to extend his extension or something.
Feldman looks to bounce back from his 4 IP/4 ER/2 HR/3 BB outing vs the Brewers last week.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Ian Kennedy (1-0, 0.00) v Doug Fister
Kennedy adjusted well to playing for a team that actually expects to win games, pitching 6.2 shutout innings vs the Twins Saturday with 0 BBs and 7 Ks. It must be that impressive 6.37’ extension.
Fister fisted well enough Saturday vs the Brewers, fisting 5 innings while fisting 3 ER and 6 fistouts. He fisted the Royals once last year, when Jonny “No H or Z” Gomes somehow walked and struckout in the same at bat.
PROMOTIONS
Monday –
2016 Schedule Magnet, presented by United Airlines – all games scheduled to begin one hour before they actually start.
Tuesday –
You’ll get nothing and you’ll like it.
Wednesday –
$1 hot dogs presented by Nolan Ryan’s beef. Phrasing!
Thursday –
You’ll get nothing and you’ll like it.
INJURIES
Royals
Tim Collins – pica (out all year)
Jarrod Dyson – micropisa (mid-April)
Mike Minor – Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome (June)
Jason Vargas – Aboulomania (late 2016)
Astros
El Oso Blanco Afeitada – Might be back tomorrow
McCullers – Expected to begin AA rehab assignment today
Stassi – wrist (6 weeks)