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2008 MLB
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2008 Kansas City Royals Predictions & Season
Preview
The
Royals have been the
laughing stock of the
American League Central, but
they have showed a
willingness to turn things
around the past few seasons
by flashing some cash at
several players. Whether
that keeps them out of the
gutter this season is
another issue. Find out if
the blue and white will
surprise us in this 2008
Kansas City Royals
predictions and season
preview.
Starting Rotation/Bullpen
Kansas City’s pitching staff
continues to improve but
clearly lacks the talent of
the White Sox, Indians, and
Tigers. Gil Meche is the
Royals’ number one. Meche
gave the Royals a chance to
win every game he pitched.
His 9-13 record was only
indicative of the fact that
he received the worst run
support of AL starters. His
3.67 ERA tells the real
story. Brian Bannister was a
pleasant surprise going 12-9
with a 3.87 ERA. He has the
Royals excited about his
progress. Zach Greinke has
the most potential to be
great on this staff. He went
7-7 with a 3.69 ERA last
year. The final two slot of
the rotation likely go to
former number one overall
pick Luke Hochevar and
southpaw Jorge De La Rosa.
The pen had been atrocious
for the Royals, but they may
have found a gem in Joakim
Soria. He won over the
starting closer job last
season and we have no reason
to believe he won’t build
off of his rookie success.
Veteran southpaw Ron Mahay
and Japanese national
Yasuhiko will serve as
Kansas City’s primary set up
men. Neither has been great
and will likely leave the
Royals with a void in middle
relief.
Batting Order
David DeJesus could use a
little help from Jesus after
struggling with a .260
average last season. DeJesus
still scored a career high
in runs and had a solid on
base percentage. Good ole
Mark Grudzielanek is still
steady. He hit .302 and
drove in 51 runs. This could
be all she wrote from Grudzy
after this year. Mark
Teahen’s power numbers
really dropped off last
season as he stroked just
seven homeruns. Makes me
wonder if he dropped his HGH
dosages. All joking aside,
Teahen needs to be a 20-plus
guy in the number three
slot. Clean-up hitter Jose
Guillen was the guy that
Royals spent some money for.
Guillen hit 23 bombs and
added 99 RBIs at Seattle
last season. First baseman
Ross Gload doesn’t have near
enough pop for a corner
infielder. Billy Butler will
likely hit sixth in the DH
slot. The Royals are
expecting big things from
this young talent. Third
baseman Alex Gordon is
another young guy with lots
of hype. He will easily
improve on his 15 homeruns
he hit a season ago and
could move up in the order.
Catcher John Buck could be
gone at anytime. I expect
Miguel Olivio to take over
at some point this year as
Buck’s inconsistencies
mount. Shortstop Tony Pena
gives the Royals that double
lead off in the nine-hole,
but must do more damage on
the base paths.
The Royals are improving,
but not fast enough to keep
pace with the rest of the AL
Central. This team still has
too many holes and geography
and a history of losing does
not make Kansas City a
desirable place for big name
free agents. They’ll keep
plugging away in K.C., but
that likely means another
last place finish in the
division.
Jimmy Boyd bested all
challengers yet again last
season, capturing another
MLB Handicapping title.
Don’t waste your time
feeling out anyone else.
Play Jimmy’s
MLB picks from Opening
Day on and make more money
in one season than you ever
thought possible.
Odds to win AL Central:
50/1
Odds to win 2008 AL Pennant:
100/1
Odds to win 2008 World
Series:
200/1
Other Predictions for the 2008 Season:
Updated February 12th, 2008
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