2015 ALCS Toronto Blue Jays VS Kansas City Royals

[kmart]

Originally Posted by goodyear

Anyone remember what the beef was about between the Jays and the Royals?

I remember the dust up but not the stuff that lead up to it.

All started with the ump issuing a warning after the Royals pitcher Volquez threw near Donaldsons head. Then it happened twice afterwards, once with Volquez, but the ump didn't throw anyone out. Afterwards, Sanchez threw and hit a Royals batter at the legs and got thrown out of the game.

Ned Yost, Royals manager, then went on to tell the media that nothing the Royals did was intentional and that Aaron Sanchez's actions were intentional on a 2-0 count, even though one of the balls was straight down the middle of the plate. Bautista then tweeted he lost respect for Ned Yost.

After the game, the Volquez (who is also starting game one) called Donaldson "a crybaby" and Donaldson replied saying he didn't want Volquez out of the game and that he was "good hitting."

Then out of nowhere Yordano Ventura, who will also be pitching this series, went on a Twitter tirade about Bautista being a nobody, accusing him of stealing signs, and warning Bautista about the next time they meet. That's went Gregg Zaun did his Sunday roast on Ventura.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Yeah, the good 'ole......'Okay, that's enough, everyone is warned!'

- Kansas keeps chucking at JD's head.....'Okay, seriously guys, no more of that!'
- Chucks at his head again......'That wasn't intentional, everyone calm down!'
- Sanchez hits the KC batter on the foot.....'You were already warned, yer outta here!!!!!'


That whole sequence was just so ridiculous. That ump should have been fired the next day.

[CofR]

IIRC Gibbons got ejected from the game, then went back on the field when benches cleared.

Not a Jays fan but the way that game was managed by the ump was complete garbage... Since that game I've wanted this match up for the ALCS this year.

[SportsJunky]

I'm still not over that game from yesterday! I like this ALCS series for Toronto. It's great if Buherle can be inserted into the bullpen to deal with the lefties in this series. Blue Jays are on a mission. That one yesterday was one for the ages.

[Trojan97]

It's a 2-3-2 format for those not aware. It goes without saying that you need at least a split in KC, but if you can steal both there's a great shot to win it in 5 or less at home.

This should be a fantastic matchup. The back end of that Royals bullpen is scary but none of their starts terrify me. Ventura and Volquez had a bad ALDS, even Cueto got roughed up a little bit in his first start. If our bats can get inside their heads a little bit early on, look out.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Trojan97

It's a 2-3-2 format for those not aware. It goes without saying that you need at least a split in KC, but if you can steal both there's a great shot to win it in 5 or less at home.

This should be a fantastic matchup. The back end of that Royals bullpen is scary but none of their starts terrify me. Ventura and Volquez had a bad ALDS, even Cueto got roughed up a little bit in his first start. If our bats can get inside their heads a little bit early on, look out.

I wish hockey would adopt that format. Less travel, and home advantage means more with 2 elimination games instead of just game 7

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I wish hockey would adopt that format. Less travel, and home advantage means more with 2 elimination games instead of just game 7

They did once.

The away team seemed to win every series in 5 that year and they switched back.

Too bad,they should have been more patient

[username]

For those needing a history lesson on these two teams this season:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb...ass-cant-cash/

Gotta love Zaun!

[ClubFlames]

Kansas will start Edinson Volquez in Game 1. He's the guy who almost hit Donaldson twice in the August series.

[CaptainCrunch]

I don't know baseball, but all I know is that the Jays can't afford to fall asleep for long stretches at a time against these guys.

The Jays were really fortunate in game 5, especially with the three really strange errors in a row by Texas.

[whosurnabby]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I don't know baseball, but all I know is that the Jays can't afford to fall asleep for long stretches at a time against these guys.

The Jays were really fortunate in game 5, especially with the three really strange errors in a row by Texas.

Huh? The Jays D was phenomenal and their approach at the plate was solid too. Texas was fortunate that it took the Blue Jays 2 games to play their game or else it would've been a much shorter series. Call me arrogant, but now that the boys got their "mojo" back and there's a sense of "hatred" towards the Royals, I predict that they are going to feast on KC's mediocre starting pitching. As a Jays fan, the only thing that scares me about KC is their dirty ways.. they've beaned a lot of hitters this year and they usually do it when they get salty.

One thing that I can guarantee is that small ball lovers will love this series. Kauffman is HUGE, dimension wise...Here's hoping the Jays continue to play their brand of baseball. Save the homerun swings once the series heads back to the Homerdome.

[SuperMatt18]

I almost feel like that plays into the Jays attitude.

They play better when there is a "me against the world" attitude and have a little bit of anger in their game.

Throw at Donaldson or Bautista in game 1. I dare them.

[BloodFetish]

You thought yesterday's bat flip was good? Wait until Joey Bats hits one out vs. KC, especially if it's Ventura on the mound.

I hope he does the "mic drop" move while staring at the pitcher.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by schooner

With Beeston gone the 5 year term cap should go with him. But I agree, term will be the sticking point in negotiation. As a fan I say throw the money at him. What the team decides I have no idea. Price seems to enjoy playing in Toronto but he is also a pretty happy go lucky guy on a winning team so it is hard to read.

Overall it shouldnt be too big a deal. The Jays have a lot of guys under control so they can stay competitive.

And that is the last I will say about that. Whatever happens I want to focus on now!

Go Jays Go!

There are ways around the term. If you put the big money up front with an opt out clause at year 3, the players more often than not are opting out of the contract because they can usually get the remaining term on the old contract for more money than what's left.

I too hope Price can better find his groove against the Royals. Although a lighter hitting contact type team like them could give him fits.

[Jiggy_12]

Very much looking forward to this match-up. These are the two best teams in the AL, easily the most depth across all facets of the game and the two best defensive teams in MLB. I actually liked the Jays match-up against KC better than I did the Astros (KC doesn't possess a true ace pitcher like the Astros do with Keuchel, who could have potentially faced us 3 times).

A 7 game series to determine the best of the AL, and I like our chances.

Probable game 1 lineups (assuming no major changes to the 25 man rosters);

Kansas City

1. Escobar
2. Zobrist
3. Cain
4. Hosmer
5. Morales
6. Moustakas
7. Perez
8. Gordon
9. Rios

Toronto

1. Revere
2. Donaldson
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Smoak/Colabello
6. Tulowitzki
7. Navarro (Estrada likely game 1 starter, otherwise Martin here)
8. Pillar
9. Goins

No weak spot in their core 9. no auto out. I think their lineup is deeper than ours, but they lack the same explosiveness 2-4 like we have. Jays have more power, Royals have more speed. I still take the Jays lineup over anyone else, but Royals are very very deep.

Rotations:



Kansas City

1. Volquez
2. Ventura
3. Cueto
4. Medlen/Young (KC used 3 man rotation in ALDS, might not get to these guys)

Toronto

1. Estrada
2. Price
3. Stroman
4. Dickey

Advantage - Bluejays. The Jays rotation features 4 of the top pitchers in the American League in the 2nd half of the season. The ONLY question mark is Dickey with his unpredictable knuckleball, but he answered those questions and concerns with his great effort in game 4. The Royals have 3 solid guys but also 3 very inconsistent guys. They can all be absolutely lights out, or they can impode. The consistency and pure talent of the Jays starters gives them a massive edge.

Core Bullpen:



Kansas City

1. Herrera (7th inning)
2. Madson (8th inning)
3. Davis (closer)
4. Duffy (lefty)
5. Hochevar

Toronto

1. Lowe (7th/8th inning)
2. Sanchez (7th/8th inning)
3. Osuna (closer)
4. Loup (lefty)
5. Hawkins
6. Hendricks

Have to give the bullpen edge to the Royals, even though the Jays top 3 are very good. It really falls off a cliff after that, and we don't even know if we will have Loup for the series (have to assume another lefty would be brought in in that case)

Team defense: Both teams are very strong up the middle, starting at catcher, middle infield, and then center field. No weakness on either side.
call this one a draw - its as close as you can get.

Key stat comparison (reg. season)

Batting average:
Toronto .269
KC .269

OBP:
Toronto .340
KC .322

OPS:
Toronto .797
KC .734

Fielding pct:
Toronto .985
KC .985

ERA:
Toronto 3.80
KC 3.73

WHIP:
Toronto 1.21
KC 1.28

Opponent's batting average:
Toronto .248
KC .249

Opponent's OPS:
Toronto .707
KC .710

Stolen bases:
Toronto 88
KC 104


My prediction: Two very talented teams here. I just really like the way the Jays hitters matchup against the Royals starters. If they do what they are supposed to do, it should render that Royals bullpen meaningless. If Royals take the lead to the 7th inning, it could be lights out Blue Jays. I'm going with Jays in 6.

[trumpethead]

Originally Posted by ClubFlames

Kansas will start Edinson Volquez in Game 1. He's the guy who almost hit Donaldson twice in the August series.

Volquez actually hit Donaldson in the first inning of that game, then threw high and tight at him in the 3rd inning. Volquez followed it all up with "he's a little baby!" smack in his post-game interview. Donaldson retorted with a classic "I thought it was pretty good hitting so I don’t want him out of there.”

[The Goon]

It's going to be a bit weird on Monday evening with Game 3 and the federal election both happening. MLB really should have respected the election and moved the game.

Going to be a lot of channel flipping that night.

[jayswin]

The federal government should have respected Game 3 and moved the election.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by jayswin

The federal government should have respected Game 3 and moved the election.

...made it a month shorter. This protracted campaign is grueling.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Very much looking forward to this match-up. These are the two best teams in the AL, easily the most depth across all facets of the game and the two best defensive teams in MLB. I actually liked the Jays match-up against KC better than I did the Astros (KC doesn't possess a true ace pitcher like the Astros do with Keuchel, who could have potentially faced us 3 times).

A 7 game series to determine the best of the AL, and I like our chances.

Probable game 1 lineups (assuming no major changes to the 25 man rosters);

Kansas City

1. Escobar
2. Zobrist
3. Cain
4. Hosmer
5. Morales
6. Moustakas
7. Perez
8. Gordon
9. Rios

Toronto

1. Revere
2. Donaldson
3. Bautista
4. Encarnacion
5. Smoak/Colabello
6. Tulowitzki
7. Navarro (Estrada likely game 1 starter, otherwise Martin here)
8. Pillar
9. Goins

No weak spot in their core 9. no auto out. I think their lineup is deeper than ours, but they lack the same explosiveness 2-4 like we have. Jays have more power, Royals have more speed. I still take the Jays lineup over anyone else, but Royals are very very deep.

Good analysis, but I don't see how the Royals are more deep than the Jays. Each team has two hitters that are step below the rest of the lineup. Pillar = Rios and Escobar = Goins. The difference is our manager isn't an idiot and doesn't bat Goins lead-off.

After that, the Jays are superior at basically every spot down the order. The Royals don't have anyone who's even near the level of JD/Bats/EE unless you still think RBIs matter (which they don't and Morales is a pretty average hitter aside from that stat). The Royals have a pretty good offense, but the Jays are big mismatch. Their offense is actually pretty similar to the Rangers in that it's fairly deep, but there isn't any really scary threats in there.