Posted on 02/17/2016 6:25:23 AM PST by NRx
Look at their team. The Royals can't win it? Right? Right?
This is, of course, exactly how Kansas City fans would prefer all of baseball to analyze their team, because the whole us-against-the-world thing has produced two pennants and a World Series title in the past two years.
What we have here, though, will play right into their hands, because the American League Central joins the American League East as perhaps the only divisions in baseball in which all five teams have legitimate designs on the postseason (and we can debate the level of legitimacy of those designs all summer).
One thing we know: The Royals may be excellent at the game of baseball, but those who pore over numbers and spit out formulas are hardly enchanted. Check out the forecasts from the two analytics Web sites we're checking with in our preview capsules - and digest the rest of the division from there.
Why the Giants will win the World Series? It’s an even-numbered year.
...because it’s politically correct..it’s only fair
The Royals are actually doubling-down on their style of baseball. Get the lead or stay within a run up to the 7th inning, slam the door shut with the bullpen and manufacture 1-2 runs for the win. Stats fail when a team constantly steals an extra base, gets a timely hit, and forces an error. They will be in the hunt in August. The AL Central is going to be real fun to watch this year.
The Indians need a team shrink or hypnosis or SOMETHING to get over their phobia. That is that they are pathetic against the Tigers, and with the weighted schedule, they'll never get anywhere unless they can win a strong majority of those games.
Ready for Royals Buzzsaw 2016 Edition!
I want to see another I-70 World Series!
Did they get Johnny football to play left field?
These are the same anlytics that had the Washington Nationals winning the World Series every year since 2012.
There's a good reason why they play the games.
I hope they do, but unless they can get some hitting and avoid injuries, it will be .500 again.
Tigers all the way.
I'm sorry. I think the Browns have a better chance to win the AL Central....
Speaking of which, Billy Beane is not Oakland's GM anymore, so without that Sabercrap holding them back, the A's may finally win it all.
Incorrect. A proper pitching staff makes an MLB team great in 2016, and the Royals’ complete staff—especially their setup, long relief and short relief pitchers—leave almost nothing to be desired.
Absolutely, and I am a Nats fan. I think the pecota projections don’t know how to handle a really mediocre starting rotation with really awesome bullpen and defense yet. All these advanced metrics are still too new, especially as regards the success of certain ‘styles’ of baseball in proportion to other styles currently being played in MLB.
Freegards
I would point out that those who pore over numbers and spit out formulas were hardly enchanted with the Royals last year. Very few had the Royals taking their division and none had them in the World Series. So you'll forgive me if I don't act all impressed.
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