KC Royals: Five Series To Watch In 2016
By Scott Dillon
New York Yankees: Middle of May
Just a little over a month into the season and the Royals will get to yet another intriguing match-up.
The Royals have become known for their dominate bullpen over the past two years. A lot of teams are beginning to try and use that model to win their games. There may be no other team that is looking to replicate that success more than the New York Yankees.
How good are the Yankees relievers? Very… is the short answer. Three relievers struck out more than 100 batters last season. Those pitchers all now belong to the Yankees.
The KC Royals will get a chance to see the Yankees highly touted trio of relievers starting on May ninth. This series is almost guaranteed to draw a label of ‘battle of the bullpens’ or something to that effect.
How good are the Yankees relievers? Very… is the short answer. Three relievers struck out more than 100 batters last season. Those pitchers all now belong to the Yankees.
Delin Betances, Andrew Miller, and newly acquired Aroldis Chapman struck out a total of 347 batters in only 220 innings. That’s a combined strikeout rate of over 14 Ks/9. The highest earned run average of the three came in at 2.04, which was one of the best in the league.
Yes, the Yankees have three very scary arms in their bullpen, but they don’t have the depth that the Royals have. The Yankees have three real candidates that could close out a ball game. The Royals are stocked with options and have five real candidates that could close out a game.
This may not be a pivotal series for the Royals but it could be a preview of a potential playoff meeting. If the Royals have to face this trio of pitchers in the playoffs, it’s best for them to see them as often as possible during the regular season.
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