The Royals are 9-9 after a frustrating 5-6 loss to the Athletics today and a humiliating 2-13 loss to the A's yesterday. There's really nothing good to say about either game.

Former #1 draft pick Luke Hochevar starts for the Royals tomorrow. The fate of the Royals' winning season now rests squarely on the rookie's shoulders. Hopefully he'll show why he deserved to be in the rotation more than John Bale all along.

Bale had "won" the #4 spot in the rotation with his performance in spring training. Bale's ST ERA was 4.91. Hochevar's was 2.25. The Royals understand that a lower ERA is a better ERA, don't they? At least Tomko is pitching better than his ST ERA of 7.23. SEVEN POINT TWO THREE!

It was also obvious in spring training that Ross Gload did not hit enough to start at first base and that TPJ is actually a worse hitter than he seemed to be last year.