That Helped Too

No, I’m not talking about the miserable displays of defense and clutch hitting that the Detroit Tigers gave us en route to a 12-4 walloping by the A’s. That obviously didn’t help. I don’t want to get into who couldn’t catch what or who couldn’t throw to which base, but… At this time of the year, trailing by 2 games in the playoff race, every mistake is unacceptable and every loss is devastating.

September 20, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) is congratulated by third baseman Mike Moustakas (8) after the game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the game 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

The “help” came from Eric Hosmer of the Royals who drove in Jarrod Dyson with a 2-out walk-off single against Jesse Crain last night. On the whole, Hosmer (.686 OPS) has had a very disappointing season and is one of those big reasons that the Royals have not made any kind of a push to take the AL Central this season. He was batting 8th and was hitless going into the 9th. Sometimes good things come from unexpected places. And, of course, good thing the Kansas City Royals aren’t phoning it in, right? Well, maybe we should wish they would start phoning it in since the Tigers have 7 of their last 10 against KC.

Coming up tonight the Tigers start a three game set at home against the Twins while the White Sox head to LA to continue their road trip against the Angels. If, by the end of the weekend, the Tigers haven’t pulled to within 1 game of Chicago it will be a reason for dismay. We have Rick Porcello on the mound against some dude you’ve never heard of*. The Whites Sox send Jake Peavy out against Ervin Santana.

* His name is “Sam Deduno” and by the numbers he looks like a non-strike-thrower who struggles on the road. He’s right-handed, but features a decent curve and change with makes him fairly hard on lefties.