Battle for the Crown

I'm a big Royals fan. I also like the The Game of Thrones, both the series of books and, so far, the HBO series.

There's just no way that's a coincidence. Based on those two facts, I must surmise the Royals will contend all season in the AL Central.

You should believe me. After all, I'm levitating as I type this.

Reality is a bitch, but one that gives you good advice -- even if you'd rather ignore it. So far, the Royals are 4-0 on this 9-game stretch I've referred to a couple of times; a stretch that can tell us something about the Royals, but isn't necessarily a test.

The Minnesota Twins are hurting, although of course no-hitters tend to help things.

The Baltimore Orioles has been competitive to this point, but probably aren't very good.

The Oakland A's do have good pitching, so let's call this one a semi-test.

But right after that stretch of games, there really isn't a break the rest of the month. The Royals do play the Orioles again, but that will be outside the friendly confines of the K. There will be:

• 3 games vs. the New York Yankees in New York...the Bronx Bombers vs. a starting rotation that loves to supply the ammo
• 5 games vs. the Texas Rangers, 3 of which are back in Arlington...and we know what happened there last time
• 3 games vs. the St. Louis Cardinals...and Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday, and the suddenly-rejuvenated Lance Berkman, who have hit 20 HR between them
• 2 more games vs. the Cleveland Indians
• 3 games vs. the Detroit Tigers on the road
• 2 games vs. the LA Angels to finish the month

Now, it isn't as if I'm looking at those 18 games and predicting an 0-18 performance. The Tigers have been helter skelter, the Royals have already proven they can beat the Angels, the Rangers aren't playing as well lately...

However, what I am saying is this 9-game stretch is a most opportune time to maybe beat up on a few teams during this home stand, because wins will likely be much harder to come by for the rest of May.

Other things:

• The whole musical position chairs thing Ned Yost is doing between Mike Aviles, Chris Getz, and Wilson Betemit is starting to become silly. After sitting at .391/.462/.435 after the game on April 8th, Getz has went 12-for-68 in putting up a .176/.272/.235 line. Sit Getz, get Kila Ka'aihue back in the lineup, install Aviles at 2nd, and let Betemit, the guy who's only went hitless in 2 of the 21 games he's played, bungle around at 3rd if it means keeping that bat in the lineup.
• Not sure what kind of longer-term future Betemit or Jeff Francoeur, have with the Royals, but I will tell you this much -- they will be great trading chips if they keep putting up slashlines like they currently have.
• I keep waiting for Alcides Escobar to have a superlative day at the plate. You know, have a couple of extra-base hits in the same game, go 3-for-4...something. Right now, though, his plate appearances are an exercise in bleugh.
• I no longer cringe at the thought of Melky Cabrera patrolling centerfield. I wouldn't say confident...but it no longer causes me extraneous consternation.

Speaking of consternation...Kyle Davies will toe the rubber today. I'll go out on a limb and predict that after getting ambushed vs. the Indians in his last start, he will again get us to throw up our hands in confusion by pitching a good game.

The Prediction: 7IP, 7K, 2BB, 2ER*