Weekend Rumblings - News for September 21, 2024

Is it time to panic?

David Lesky does a deep dive into what’s wrong with the offense.

Before the slump, the Royals hit .258 with a .425 SLG, a 40.3 percent hard-hit rate a 7.7 percent rate of barrels per batted ball event. Since, they’ve hit .211 with a .372 SLG, but that goes with a 43.4 percent hard-hit rate and 7.1% barrels/bbe. Does that mean it’s all bad luck? No, though it is some bad luck. The xBA recently is .233 and the xSLG is .372. What I left out was whiffs and strikeouts. They came up empty on 22.2 percent of swings before the slump and 26.2 percent since. That’s a big increase. Their strikeout rate is up from 18.4 percent to 24 percent. That’s a huge increase.

Vahe Gregorian writes about Lucas Erceg overcoming his personal demons.

Because where he once constantly sought to fix blame elsewhere, he’s learned that this ultimately is all about one’s own responsibility and choices and behavior — including, in his case, what some might consider making himself vulnerable by being public about it.

But he wants it known that “you’re allowed to” be a visible part of the solution. Or at least a comforting role model.

“Society isn’t going to look down on you because you have a problem,” he said. “Society is going to look down on you if you don’t do anything about it. That’s not right, morally, ethically, socially. If you’re doing something wrong, do something about it.”

The Royals have moved today’s game up to 4:10 CT because of inclement weather later tonight.

The Royals handed out minor league awards, including Hitter of the Year Blake Mitchell.

“It’s a great honor with the award named after George Brett,” Mitchell said of being named the organization’s top offensive player. “... I just tried to keep my body healthy the whole year. Learning what works for me, the amount of workload per day to get my body right and get me 100% ready.”

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter writes the bullpen is coming together at the right time.

The Orioles smack five home runs to beat the Tigers, bringing the Royals magic number to 7 (and the Royals own the tiebreaker).

The Phillies beat the Mets to clinch a playoff spot.

A’s fans are emotional for the last weekend series ever in Oakland.

Elly de la Cruz becomes the third player in the modern era to steal 100 bases in his first two seasons.

What other players could join the 50/50 club with Shohei Ohtani?

Ohtani is not really an option to pitch in the post-season.

Cody Bellinger remains undecided about his opt-out clause.

The Orioles ran out of time to fix Craig Kimbrel.

The Athletic details how Jerry Reinsdorf allowed the White Sox organization to rot.

Will the Giants consider another rebuild?

Joel Embid signs a three-year, $193 million contract extension.

Memphis is reportedly mulling an invitation to the Pac 12.

Why America must free itself from the tyranny of the penny.

Nike stock spikes after a change at the top.

Muppets fans don’t like how Jim Henson is portrayed in the new movie about the early days of Saturday Night Live.

Your song of the day is Metallica with The Unforgiven.