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KANSAS CITY ( GUTHRIE )
HOUSTON ( KEUCHEL ) |
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| 921 | KANSAS CITY | -135 | Ov 9,+100 | -120 | Ov 8.5,+105 | | 922 | HOUSTON | +125 | Un 9,-120 | +110 | Un 8.5,-125 |
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| All Games | 5-7 | -3 | 4-7 | 3.0 | 0.237 | 0.301 | 4.0 | 0.214 | 0.280 | | Road Games | 1-5 | -4.9 | 2-3 | 2.2 | 0.193 | 0.250 | 4.8 | 0.209 | 0.301 | | vs Left-handed Starters | 2-1 | +0.8 | 0-3 | 3.0 | 0.244 | 0.320 | 3.3 | 0.223 | 0.259 | | Past 7 Games | 3-4 | -1.8 | 3-4 | 2.9 | 0.231 | 0.288 | 4.1 | 0.196 | 0.267 | | Grass Games | 5-7 | -3 | 4-7 | 3.0 | 0.237 | 0.301 | 4.0 | 0.214 | 0.280 | | Night Games | 2-2 | -0.2 | 1-3 | 2.2 | 0.227 | 0.303 | 3.7 | 0.189 | 0.257 |
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| All Games | 3.0 | 0.237 | 0.301 | 12 | 389 | 92 | 26 | 2 | 0.01 | 34 | 36 | 65 | 7 | 81 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 5 | | Road Games | 2.2 | 0.193 | 0.250 | 6 | 197 | 38 | 16 | 1 | 0.01 | 12 | 15 | 30 | 2 | 37 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 | | Lefty Starters | 3.0 | 0.244 | 0.320 | 3 | 90 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 0.00 | 9 | 10 | 18 | 1 | 18 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
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| All Games | 4.77 | 1.412 | 28.3 | 19 | 15 | 23 | 0 | 17 | 34 | 1-4 | 4 | 3 | 57.1% | | Road Games | 3.14 | 1.396 | 14.3 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 12 | 19 | 0-3 | 1 | 2 | 33.3% |
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| All Games | 5-9 | -1.4 | 6-8 | 2.9 | 0.185 | 0.252 | 4.5 | 0.243 | 0.321 | | Home Games | 3-5 | -0.8 | 3-5 | 2.9 | 0.183 | 0.250 | 5.0 | 0.255 | 0.320 | | vs Right-handed Starters | 4-5 | +1.3 | 5-4 | 3.3 | 0.176 | 0.253 | 4.6 | 0.249 | 0.330 | | Past 7 Games | 2-5 | -1.6 | 3-4 | 2.7 | 0.179 | 0.248 | 3.9 | 0.224 | 0.316 | | Grass Games | 4-7 | -1.3 | 4-7 | 2.6 | 0.172 | 0.240 | 4.3 | 0.244 | 0.316 | | Night Games | 4-7 | -0.8 | 4-7 | 2.9 | 0.185 | 0.260 | 4.5 | 0.251 | 0.333 |
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| All Games | 2.9 | 0.185 | 0.252 | 14 | 444 | 82 | 36 | 16 | 0.04 | 38 | 40 | 124 | 8 | 71 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 11 | | Home Games | 2.9 | 0.183 | 0.250 | 8 | 246 | 45 | 22 | 11 | 0.04 | 21 | 22 | 72 | 5 | 41 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 | | Righty Starters | 3.3 | 0.176 | 0.253 | 9 | 290 | 51 | 25 | 13 | 0.04 | 29 | 30 | 87 | 4 | 48 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
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| All Games | 5.32 | 1.664 | 45.7 | 28 | 27 | 52 | 5 | 24 | 46 | 1-1 | 4 | 1 | 80% | | Home Games | 5.65 | 1.570 | 28.7 | 18 | 18 | 35 | 2 | 10 | 28 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
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| 4/2/2014 | VARGAS(L) | @ DETROIT | SCHERZER(R) | 1-2 | L | 170 | 7.5 un | U | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | | 4/4/2014 | GUTHRIE(R) | CHI WHITE SOX | JOHNSON(R) | 7-5 | W | -150 | 8.5 un | O | 13 | 12 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | | 4/5/2014 | CHEN(L) | CHI WHITE SOX | DANKS(L) | 4-3 | W | -145 | 8 un | U | 7 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 1 | | 4/6/2014 | SHIELDS(R) | CHI WHITE SOX | SALE(L) | 1-5 | L | -115 | 7 un | U | 7 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | | 4/7/2014 | VARGAS(L) | TAMPA BAY | MOORE(L) | 4-2 | W | -115 | 8 un | U | 8 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | | 4/8/2014 | VENTURA(R) | TAMPA BAY | ARCHER(R) | 0-1 | L | +100 | 7.5 ev | U | 9 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | | 4/9/2014 | GUTHRIE(R) | TAMPA BAY | ODORIZZI(R) | 7-3 | W | +105 | 8.5 ov | O | 10 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 1 | | 4/11/2014 | CHEN(L) | @ MINNESOTA | GIBSON(R) | 1-10 | L | -125 | 8 un | O | 5 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 0 | | 4/12/2014 | SHIELDS(R) | @ MINNESOTA | NOLASCO(R) | 1-7 | L | -140 | 7.5 un | O | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | | 4/13/2014 | VARGAS(L) | @ MINNESOTA | CORREIA(R) | 3-4 | L | -125 | 8 un | U | 7 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 2 | | 4/15/2014 | VENTURA(R) | @ HOUSTON | HARRELL(R) | 4-2 | W | -165 | 8.5 un | U | 7 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | | 4/16/2014 | GUTHRIE(R) | @ HOUSTON | KEUCHEL(L) | | | 4/17/2014 | CHEN(L) | @ HOUSTON | FELDMAN(R) | | | 4/18/2014 | SHIELDS(R) | MINNESOTA | NOLASCO(R) | | | 4/19/2014 | VARGAS(L) | MINNESOTA | CORREIA(R) | | | 4/20/2014 | VENTURA(R) | MINNESOTA | HUGHES(R) | | | 4/21/2014 | GUTHRIE(R) | @ CLEVELAND | SALAZAR(R) | | | 4/22/2014 | | @ CLEVELAND | | | | 4/23/2014 | | @ CLEVELAND | | |
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| 4/2/2014 | COSART(R) | NY YANKEES | KURODA(R) | 3-1 | W | +150 | 8.5 un | U | 4 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 1 | | 4/3/2014 | OBERHOLTZER(L) | NY YANKEES | NOVA(R) | 2-4 | L | +135 | 8 ov | U | 6 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | | 4/4/2014 | HARRELL(R) | LA ANGELS | RICHARDS(R) | 1-11 | L | +160 | 9 ev | O | 7 | 12 | 0 | 15 | 8 | 0 | | 4/5/2014 | KEUCHEL(L) | LA ANGELS | SKAGGS(L) | 1-5 | L | +135 | 9 ev | U | 4 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 12 | 2 | | 4/6/2014 | FELDMAN(R) | LA ANGELS | WEAVER(R) | 7-4 | W | +140 | 8 ov | O | 7 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 1 | | 4/7/2014 | COSART(R) | LA ANGELS | WILSON(L) | 1-9 | L | +145 | 8.5 ov | O | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 0 | | 4/8/2014 | OBERHOLTZER(L) | @ TORONTO | BUEHRLE(L) | 2-5 | L | 190 | 9.5 un | U | 9 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | | 4/9/2014 | HARRELL(R) | @ TORONTO | MORROW(R) | 3-7 | L | 187 | 9 ov | O | 6 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 0 | | 4/10/2014 | KEUCHEL(L) | @ TORONTO | DICKEY(R) | 6-4 | W | 185 | 9 un | O | 8 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 0 | | 4/11/2014 | FELDMAN(R) | @ TEXAS | DARVISH(R) | 0-1 | L | 205 | 8 ov | U | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 16 | 0 | | 4/12/2014 | COSART(R) | @ TEXAS | SCHEPPERS(R) | 6-5 | W | 155 | 9.5 un | O | 7 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 0 | | 4/13/2014 | OBERHOLTZER(L) | @ TEXAS | PEREZ(L) | 0-1 | L | 150 | 9 ev | U | 5 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | | 4/15/2014 | HARRELL(R) | KANSAS CITY | VENTURA(R) | 2-4 | L | +155 | 8.5 un | U | 4 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | | 4/16/2014 | KEUCHEL(L) | KANSAS CITY | GUTHRIE(R) | | | 4/17/2014 | FELDMAN(R) | KANSAS CITY | CHEN(L) | | | 4/18/2014 | COSART(R) | @ OAKLAND | GRAY(R) | | | 4/19/2014 | OBERHOLTZER(L) | @ OAKLAND | KAZMIR(L) | | | 4/20/2014 | HARRELL(R) | @ OAKLAND | CHAVEZ(R) | | | 4/21/2014 | KEUCHEL(L) | @ SEATTLE | HERNANDEZ(R) | | | 4/22/2014 | | @ SEATTLE | | | | 4/23/2014 | | @ SEATTLE | | |
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| |  | 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. | | HOUSTON: HOUSTON (AP) - Coming off three straight 100-loss seasons, the Houston Astros are confident they'll be better this year.
How much? They aren't putting a number on that. But after setting a franchise record with a whopping 111 defeats, they have a simple target.
''It's our goal to be the most improved team in major league baseball (and) I believe ... we have the group together and we can actually accomplish that,'' second-year manager Bo Porter said.
There are several reasons why the Astros are certain they can improve. They brought in several established players this offseason to pair with the many young players who got their first significant playing time last season. They also could get some reinforcements soon from top prospects who are inching closer to being major league ready.
General manager Jeff Luhnow's rebuilding plan has already boosted Houston's minor league system from the worst in baseball to one of the best. He expects that work to start paying dividends this season in the majors.
''We have a young team. We're still going to make some mistakes,'' he said. ''Our young players have improved but still need some development. We brought in some veterans to help stabilize the team this year. We're going to see a big improvement as a result of those two dynamics.''
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| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW (KANSAS CITY-HOUSTON) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(ADDS Springer joining team)
*Royals-Astros Preview* =======================
By TAYLOR BECHTOLD STATS Writer
Kansas City (5-7) at Houston (5-9), 8:10 p.m. EDT
With a young pitcher leading the way, the Kansas City Royals continued their run of success against the Houston Astros in the opener of this three-game series.
Now they'll turn to veteran Jeremy Guthrie to keep it going against the offensively challenged Astros.
The Royals seek their 15th victory in 21 meetings Wednesday night when Guthrie goes after his third win in as many starts.
Rookie Yordano Ventura threw seven solid innings for his first major league win Tuesday, and Omar Infante homered and drove in two to lift the Royals (5-7) to a 4-2 victory at Minute Maid Park.
Kansas City's starters have allowed six runs during a four-game win streak over Houston (5-9).
After he won his first five decisions in 2013 to extend his franchise record of consecutive starts without a loss to 18, Guthrie is 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA in his first two outings this season.
The right-hander gave up one run and four hits over seven innings in a 7-3 home win over Tampa Bay last Wednesday. He worked his way out of trouble in each of the first three innings, then retired his final 12 batters.
"You're going to make good pitches and they're going to hit them hard sometimes," Guthrie said. "But if you make good pitches, more often you're going to get an out."
Guthrie makes his first road start after going 6-7 with a 3.73 ERA away from Kauffman Stadium last season. In his only outing against Houston, he allowed six runs and eight hits - two homers - over five innings in a 6-5 road loss May 20.
Dallas Keuchel (1-1, 3.75) will start Wednesday after also opposing Guthrie in that contest, allowing four runs and nine hits over 6 2-3 innings to pick up the win in his only start against the Royals. Eric Hosmer went 2 for 3 off Keuchel in that meeting, while Nori Aoki is 3 for 8 in their matchups.
The left-hander hopes to build on his first victory Thursday, when he allowed one run and struck out six over seven innings in a 6-4 win at Toronto.
"He was outstanding," Houston manager Bo Porter said. "He did a really good job of attacking the strike zone."
Keuchel will face a Kansas City lineup that showed some improvement in the series opener with three doubles and a home run. The Royals had posted a .262 slugging percentage without a homer while dropping their first five road games.
Hosmer went 2 for 4 on Tuesday after he had only four hits in his first 19 at-bats away from home. Lorenzo Cain is batting a team-high .342 after posting his fourth multi-hit effort.
Guthrie has been hit hard in his last two meetings with the Astros dating to his time with Colorado, going 1-1 while giving up 11 runs and 20 hits over 12 innings. Houston, though, has scored 31 runs and batted .180 while dropping nine of 12.
Jason Castro has gone 3 for 8 when facing Guthrie, but he's off to a 7-for-39 (.179) start. Matt Dominguez is 6 for 18 over his last five games after opening 3 for 28.
Both homered off Guthrie in last year's meeting.
Prized Astros prospect George Springer says he's been told he will join the team from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday. The 24-year-old outfielder had 37 homers and 108 RBIs with 45 stolen bases combined in Double-A and Triple-A last year. He was off to a strong start in Triple-A this season, too, hitting .308 with three homers and eight RBIs.
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| | Last Updated: 4/25/2024 6:39:06 AM EST. |
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