| | | |
KANSAS CITY ( VARGAS )
LA ANGELS ( WEAVER ) |
|
|
7.5un
| 3
Final
2 |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| AL Division Series - Best of 5 - Game 1 | |  | |
|
| 903 | KANSAS CITY | +160 | Ov 8,+100 | +165 | Ov 8,+105 | | 904 | LA ANGELS | -170 | Un 8,-120 | -175 | Un 8,-125 |
|
|
|  |
|
| | | | | |
|
|
| All Games | 90-73 | +4.1 | 74-81 | 4.0 | 0.263 | 0.310 | 3.9 | 0.251 | 0.306 | | Road Games | 47-34 | +13.6 | 36-39 | 4.3 | 0.270 | 0.316 | 3.5 | 0.237 | 0.296 | | vs Right-handed Starters | 65-52 | +1.9 | 54-57 | 4.1 | 0.260 | 0.306 | 3.7 | 0.248 | 0.305 | | Past 7 Games | 5-2 | +2.3 | 6-1 | 5.6 | 0.303 | 0.352 | 4.0 | 0.239 | 0.312 | | Grass Games | 86-70 | +2.6 | 71-78 | 4.0 | 0.262 | 0.310 | 3.9 | 0.250 | 0.305 | | Night Games | 64-48 | +6.5 | 49-56 | 4.1 | 0.264 | 0.310 | 3.7 | 0.247 | 0.303 | | Playoff games | 1-0 | +1 | 1-0 | 9.0 | 0.341 | 0.383 | 8.0 | 0.277 | 0.358 |
|
| |
|
|
| All Games | 4.0 | 0.263 | 0.310 | 163 | 5589 | 1471 | 411 | 95 | 0.02 | 613 | 383 | 993 | 161 | 1087 | 154 | 104 | | | | Road Games | 4.3 | 0.270 | 0.316 | 81 | 2887 | 779 | 214 | 52 | 0.02 | 326 | 194 | 520 | 66 | 572 | 88 | 52 | | | | Righty Starters | 4.1 | 0.260 | 0.306 | 117 | 4005 | 1042 | 292 | 64 | 0.02 | 436 | 266 | 708 | 115 | 772 | 99 | 67 | | |
|
| |
|
| All Games | 3.33 | 1.248 | 471 | 192 | 174 | 414 | 33 | 174 | 455 | 29-18 | 53 | 11 | 82.8% | | Road Games | 2.47 | 1.127 | 222.7 | 73 | 61 | 172 | 13 | 79 | 204 | 10-10 | 25 | 5 | 83.3% |
|
|
| |
|
|
| All Games | 98-64 | +21.1 | 80-77 | 4.8 | 0.259 | 0.318 | 3.9 | 0.236 | 0.300 | | Home Games | 52-29 | +11.8 | 35-41 | 4.5 | 0.252 | 0.313 | 3.8 | 0.235 | 0.292 | | vs Left-handed Starters | 28-21 | +3.9 | 26-20 | 4.5 | 0.260 | 0.314 | 4.3 | 0.241 | 0.310 | | Past 7 Games | 2-5 | -2.8 | 3-4 | 2.4 | 0.195 | 0.238 | 3.4 | 0.248 | 0.328 | | Grass Games | 93-62 | +18 | 75-75 | 4.8 | 0.257 | 0.315 | 3.8 | 0.234 | 0.298 | | Night Games | 77-48 | +18.4 | 60-60 | 4.6 | 0.253 | 0.311 | 3.8 | 0.234 | 0.298 |
|
| |
|
|
| All Games | 4.8 | 0.259 | 0.318 | 162 | 5656 | 1463 | 491 | 155 | 0.03 | 728 | 492 | 1266 | 81 | 1113 | 145 | 85 | | | | Home Games | 4.5 | 0.252 | 0.313 | 81 | 2777 | 701 | 219 | 73 | 0.03 | 341 | 243 | 620 | 36 | 558 | 70 | 39 | | | | Lefty Starters | 4.5 | 0.260 | 0.314 | 49 | 1701 | 442 | 152 | 51 | 0.03 | 206 | 133 | 369 | 14 | 331 | 44 | 32 | | |
|
| |
|
| All Games | 3.50 | 1.217 | 540 | 222 | 210 | 464 | 42 | 193 | 535 | 30-22 | 46 | 16 | 74.2% | | Home Games | 3.37 | 1.151 | 283.3 | 112 | 106 | 238 | 20 | 88 | 296 | 19-11 | 20 | 7 | 74.1% |
|
| | |
|
|
| 9/19/2014 | VARGAS(L) | DETROIT | VERLANDER(R) | 1-10 | L | -115 | 7.5 ov | O | 7 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 9 | 0 | | 9/20/2014 | SHIELDS(R) | DETROIT | SCHERZER(R) | 2-3 | L | -110 | 7 un | U | 11 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 0 | | 9/21/2014 | GUTHRIE(R) | DETROIT | PORCELLO(R) | 5-2 | W | -105 | 8 un | U | 11 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 0 | | 9/22/2014 | DUFFY(L) | @ CLEVELAND | CARRASCO(R) | 2-0 | W | 105 | 6.5 un | U | 8 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 0 | | 9/23/2014 | VENTURA(R) | @ CLEVELAND | SALAZAR(R) | 7-1 | W | 110 | 6.5 un | O | 13 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 1 | | 9/24/2014 | VARGAS(L) | @ CLEVELAND | BAUER(R) | 4-6 | L | -120 | 6.5 un | O | 10 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | | 9/25/2014 | SHIELDS(R) | @ CHI WHITE SOX | QUINTANA(L) | 6-3 | W | -130 | 7 un | O | 14 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 0 | | 9/26/2014 | GUTHRIE(R) | @ CHI WHITE SOX | NOESI(R) | 3-1 | W | -145 | 8 un | U | 7 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | | 9/27/2014 | DUFFY(L) | @ CHI WHITE SOX | DANKS(L) | 4-5 | L | -160 | 7.5 ov | O | 8 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | | 9/28/2014 | VENTURA(R) | @ CHI WHITE SOX | BASSITT(R) | 6-4 | W | -180 | 7.5 un | O | 12 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 10 | 0 | | 9/30/2014 | SHIELDS(R) | OAKLAND | LESTER(L) | 9-8 | W | +100 | 6.5 un | O | 15 | 8 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 0 | | 10/2/2014 | VARGAS(L) | @ LA ANGELS | WEAVER(R) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| 9/18/2014 | LEBLANC(L) | SEATTLE | HERNANDEZ(R) | 1-3 | L | +225 | 6.5 un | U | 5 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | | 9/19/2014 | SANTIAGO(L) | TEXAS | BONILLA(R) | 3-12 | L | -195 | 8.5 un | O | 7 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 0 | | 9/20/2014 | WEAVER(R) | TEXAS | LEWIS(R) | 8-5 | W | -210 | 7.5 un | O | 13 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 1 | | 9/21/2014 | RASMUS(R) | TEXAS | TEPESCH(R) | 1-2 | L | -200 | 8 un | U | 4 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 0 | | 9/22/2014 | WILSON(L) | @ OAKLAND | SAMARDZIJA(R) | 4-8 | L | 145 | 7 un | O | 10 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 2 | | 9/23/2014 | LEBLANC(L) | @ OAKLAND | GRAY(R) | 2-0 | W | 145 | 7.5 un | U | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 1 | | 9/24/2014 | SANTIAGO(L) | @ OAKLAND | LESTER(L) | 5-4 | W | 175 | 7.5 un | O | 9 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 3 | | 9/26/2014 | WEAVER(R) | @ SEATTLE | IWAKUMA(R) | 3-4 | L | 120 | 6.5 ov | O | 7 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 0 | | 9/27/2014 | WILSON(L) | @ SEATTLE | PAXTON(L) | 1-2 | L | 110 | 7.5 un | U | 7 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 0 | | 9/28/2014 | RASMUS(R) | @ SEATTLE | HERNANDEZ(R) | 1-4 | L | 182 | 6.5 ov | U | 5 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 0 | | 10/2/2014 | WEAVER(R) | KANSAS CITY | VARGAS(L) | |
|
| |  | KANSAS CITY: KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - James Shields thinks back to last year, thoughtfully piecing together what was missing from the Kansas City Royals as they made a late push for the postseason.
The pitching was strong. The offense was coming around. The defense was sublime.
He finally settled on experience.
''These guys that didn't realize or have never been to September, when you're fighting for a playoff spot, now you have that experience,'' Shields said. ''And I think that was one of the things we were lacking last season, the experience. You tend to put too much on your shoulders. And I think the second half we definitely relaxed and put all that aside and had fun and played the game the way we know how to play, and it showed.
''I think with the experience factor now,'' Shields concluded, ''we're ready to go.''
After finishing 86-76 a year ago, and contending into September for the first time in a decade, the Royals have their sets sight squarely on their first playoff appearance since 1985 this year.
Anything less would be a disappointment. Anything less would be a failure.
''Last year was a blast. When the end of the season came in Chicago, nobody wanted to leave,'' first baseman Eric Hosmer said. ''They knew how close we were. We were right there. And it left a good taste in everyone's mouth going into the offseason, knowing how good everyone can be.''
Indeed, the Royals return most of their key players from a year ago, signing left-hander Jason Vargas to replace their only significant loss, starting pitcher Ervin Santana. They also upgraded at their weakest spots, trading for Norichika Aoki to play right field and bat leadoff and signing Omar Infante to settle a second base position that has been a black hole for years.
All of which left the notoriously frugal franchise with a record-setting payroll.
Royals manager Ned Yost hopes all those moves will pay off for a rotation that was among the league's best last year, and an offense that was among the league's worst.
''It's going to be a lineup that has offensive sequence from one to nine. You're not going to have any dead spots,'' Yost said. ''You're not going to get something going and then bam, run into a wall and have to get going again. At least, I hope not. I don't think so.''
So with more experience and an upgraded lineup, Kansas City enters its season opener Sunday at Detroit with boundless enthusiasm. | | LA ANGELS: ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton didn't exactly fit in right away with the Los Angeles Angels after they accepted owner Arte Moreno's lavish free-agent contracts.
Now that both sluggers feel much more comfortable and confident in Orange County, they know it's time the Angels started getting more wins for their money.
The Angels' four-year absence from the playoffs is embarrassing for an organization with a sky-high payroll and equally lofty expectations, but they seem capable of ending the drought if the club's various pieces finally add up properly.
Pujols and Hamilton are full of spring optimism after those disappointing 2013 efforts, while superstar Mike Trout is back for the third full major league campaign in his already remarkable career.
|
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW (KANSAS CITY-LA ANGELS) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Updates with quotes, details. With AP Photos.)
*Royals-Angels Preview* =======================
By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer
Kansas City (89-73) at Los Angeles (98-64), 9:07 p.m. EDT
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Mike Trout asked Albert Pujols for advice on his playoff debut before the Los Angeles Angels stepped into the October spotlight, and the veteran slugger with two World Series rings had some simple guidance for baseball's best young player.
"He told me to just be myself, and not try to hit that home run when you don't need it," Trout said. "Just keep that same swing that got you here, and go from there. (But) it's definitely a bigger game, for sure. All eyes are on you."
Trout reaches the milestone he craves most Thursday night when he runs out to center field at the Big A for the Angels' AL Division Series opener against the Kansas City Royals, who must concoct a quick encore to their incredible 12-inning comeback victory in the wild-card game.
Trout led the majors in RBIs, runs and extra-base hits this season for the major league-leading Angels (98-64), capping nearly three full seasons of electrifying play with a likely MVP campaign - and a playoff berth.
It sure beats last October, which the New Jersey native spent back home in a tree stand when he wasn't watching the playoffs on television.
"Now I'm hunting a ring instead of deer," Trout said with a laugh.
While the Royals are in their first postseason since 1985, the Angels hadn't been in the playoffs since 2009, and several regulars share Trout's lack of experience on the big stage. But Pujols has a vaunted postseason history from his time in St. Louis, and third baseman David Freese was the MVP of the World Series and the NL Championship Series for the Cardinals just three years ago.
While Freese was having the best month of his career in 2011, Trout was coming off his season in the Double-A Texas League. Trout spent just 20 more games in the minors before heading to Orange County to stay.
"I don't think I need to say anything to Mike Trout," Freese said. "He's been in the spotlight since Day One, and he's going to be in it again. The game is better with Mike Trout in the postseason. I think we all understand that, and it's exciting to get him in there and get Albert back in there."
Indeed, the big-budget Angels are getting a return on their lavish investments in Trout, Pujols and Josh Hamilton, who will return to the Angels' lineup for the opener, batting seventh and playing left field after missing 21 of the last 22 games with injuries.
Angels ace Jered Weaver (18-9, 3.59 ERA) starts against Kansas City's Jason Vargas (11-10, 3.71), who pitched for Los Angeles last year. The pitchers have been close friends since their days at nearby Long Beach State - but before their families take their joint vacation already planned for this winter, they'll attempt to keep their clubs rolling.
"There aren't very many players like (Trout) that come along," Vargas said. "(But) you're going to have to negotiate that whole lineup, and if you think about one hitter, your work is going to be cut out for you."
The Royals' long-awaited playoff return has already been memorable. Kansas City is still buzzing after the club's rally from a late four-run deficit and another 12th-inning hole for a dramatic 9-8 victory over Oakland on Tuesday night.
The Royals celebrated with champagne and goggles after a game that lasted nearly five hours, but they were clear-headed and clear-eyed by the time they arrived Wednesday for a light workout.
"Not a lot of sleep, but that's OK," left fielder Alex Gordon said. "We'll take the lack of sleep for moving on and coming to L.A."
Kansas City realizes the stiff challenge posed by the Angels, who overcame numerous pitching injuries with a boost from the majors' most productive offense. The Royals struggled to score all season, but made up for it with steady starting pitching and a dynamic bullpen, which means the ALDS matches strengths against strengths.
If the Royals hope to return to raucous Kauffman Stadium with some of the momentum still intact from their win over the Athletics, an early victory in Anaheim would be helpful. Manager Ned Yost is confident that his raw roster gained experience quickly this week.
"You couldn't have had a more charged atmosphere, more pressure, more intensity than we had," Yost said. "Our backs couldn't be more against the wall than being four runs down against Jon Lester in the eighth inning, and they didn't fold. They kept fighting and getting after it and found a way to win."
|
| | Last Updated: 4/23/2024 9:11:04 PM EST. |
|
|
| |
|