Struggling Right-Handed Batters Could Decide World Series Game 1
By Doug LaCerte
@DLaC67
Christian Petersen – Getty Images Sport
Billy Butler and Salvador Perez could be the keys to Game 1 of the 2014 World Series, but their stats wouldn’t lead many to believe that. The oft-bemoaned Kansas City Royals DH Butler is hitting .222 this postseason, and KC catcher Perez is batting just .118 with eight strikeouts and zero extra-base hits. Numerous struggling Royals may be the key to KC’s success in Game 1 because we can expect San Francisco Giants starter Madison Bumgarner to attack right-handed batters with less success than the majority of lefties in KC’s lineup.
Bumgarner has only a .020 point difference between opponent’s average among righties and lefties in the regular season, but he struck out right-handed batters 58 times and left-handed batters 161 times. Lefty averages against Bumgarner drop from .224 in the regular season to .205 during this year’s playoffs, but right-handed batters’ averages plummet from .244 to .151. He also allowed 38 walks to lefties and just five to right-handers during the regular season. With the now-famous speed at Kansas City’s disposal, the Giants are fully aware that a walk can quickly become a rally.
Perez and Butler combine for just seven career at-bats against Bumgarner, but at least Billy likes what he’s seen. In three at-bats, Butler singled, homered and batted in three runs. Salvy is 0-4 with a strikeout. Only two Royals on the roster have faced the recently dominant Giants starter more than six times. Nori Aoki is hitless against Bumgarner, but Omar Infante – another struggling right-handed batter – has a .400 average and a double in 10 career at-bats.
Salvador Perez is the only Royal with a lower postseason average than Infante, and Omar is also without an extra-base hit. Bumgarner hasn’t thrown less than seven full innings and didn’t allow a run in two of his four starts this postseason. KC can try to be patient and push the game to a war between bullpens, at which point they’d have an undeniable advantage, but Bumgarner hasn’t thrown less than six full innings since July 28. The Royals may need runs in the middle or early innings, particularly runs manufactured by right-handed batters, to grab hold of a 1-0 advantage to start this Fall Classic.
Doug LaCerte is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DLaC67, “like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.
Colorado Rockies: 5 Players That Could Be Traded
The Colorado Rockies need to re-tool to have any hope of becoming a playoff contender. On that note, here are five players they should still be looking to trade. Read More
Zobrist, Escobar Trade Makes A's Contenders
The Oakland Athletics continue to make a splash in the offseason by trading for Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays. Read More
5 Players The Braves Should Trade For
The Atlanta Braves have a lot more moves to make before the start of the season. Take a look at these players the Braves should consider trading for. Read More
Tigers Need A Break Out Season From Shane Greene
With multiple uncertainties in the starting rotation, it would be huge if the Detroit Tigers could get a breakout season out of newcomer Shane Greene. Read More
Tampa Bay Rays: 5 Players They Could Still Trade
With the Tampa Bay Rays heading into a transitional season, here are five players they should still look to trade. Read More
Assessing the SF Giants' 2015 25-Man Roster
The San Francisco Giants aren't as dangerous on paper as they were a season ago. Read More
Going Home To Blue Jays May Be What Axford Needs
It has been a long time since John Axford has been great. With a need for bullpen help, the Toronto Blue Jays should take a chance on him. Read More
Shields Would Be Best Ace Add For Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly interested in adding an ace, and signing James Shields would be the best way for them to do so. Read More
Power Ranking NL Central Starting Catchers
The NL Central boasts the best catchers in all of baseball. Here is how they rank heading into the 2015 season. Read More
Tigers' Alex Avila Will Benefit From Platoon Role
Here is why Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila may benefit immensely from a strict platoon with James McCann in 2015. Read More
Former Players Could Haunt Royals In 2015
The Kansas City Royals made significant moves at the end of 2014, but the Chicago White Sox changed their team in a much bigger way. The Royals will now see far more of two well-liked former players. Read More
Randy Johnson's HOF Journey No Tall Tale
Will he be a Seattle Mariner or an Arizona Diamondback in the Hall of Fame? Either way, Randy Johnson's legacy will be remembered in Seattle long before it is forgotten. Read More