A couple of weeks ago, I wrote the Ned Yost Honeymoon was officially over.

At that point, the Royals dropped five games in a row to NL East competition.  Of course, since then they’ve gone 10-3.  10-3!

That’s a nice little run, but it’s far too reminiscent of their 18-11 run to start the season last year.  All teams – even bad ones – have the ability to string together a week or even a month of good games.

Does this run happen with Trey Hillman in charge?

That’s kind of a meaningless question.  Hillman is on a ranch in Texas or something like that.  He’s yesterday’s news.

The relevant question is: How much of this has to do with new management?  Are the Royals playing above .500 because of Yost?

I’m not completely sold.

They’re winning because David DeJesus is hitting .380/.439/.473 over his last 47 games.

They’re winning because Billy Butler has found his doubles stroke – he’s hit 17 – and is slugging .522.

They’re winning because they recalled Wilson Betemit, who is playing like his hair is on fire and is hitting .375/.434/.729.  Was that a Yost call to bring Betemit from Omaha?  Betemit replaced Bryan Bullington, so he replaced the 13th man in (an unnecessary) 13 man bullpen the Royals used early in the year.

They’re winning because Bruce Chen is changing his arm slot and keeping hitters off balance.  He has a 3.66 ERA in seven starts since replacing Gil Meche in the rotation.  He’s limiting hitters to a .203 average.  If Hillman wrecked Meche (which I believe to be true, with an assist to Meche) Yost has only benefitted from his replacement.

They’re winning because Robinson Tejeda, Joakim Soria, Kyle Farnsworth and Kanekoa Texeira all have an ERA under 2 coming out of the bullpen for Yost.

They’re winning despite Jason Kendall hitting second in the lineup.

As bad as Kendall has been, Alberto Callaspo and Yuniesky Betancourt have been worse.  Both have sub .300 on base percentages under Yost.  Although those guys can get an occasional extra base hit.

This is the perfect time to mention that Wednesday night was the ultimate Yost moment.   The Royals are trailing in the eighth by one and the Mariners Brandon League can’t find the strikezone and had walked the first two batters.  Naturally, this situation screams for a bunt.  (Not really… Why give a struggling pitcher a lifeline of an out?)  Fortunately, Callaspo can’t get a bunt down and instead blast a three-run home run.  The Royals got the win on the back of that home run (and a couple of others.)  They won despite the manager trying to give it away.

They’re winning despite Blake Wood and his straight fastball and his pitch to contact method.  Still, I feel Yost is walking a tightrope every time he brings Wood into the game in the eighth with the Royals trying to get the game to Soria in the ninth.

It’s simplistic, but in this case the good outweighs the bad.  Lately – like the last 15 years – it’s been the other way around.

Yost has made some good decisions and he’s made some bad ones.  And it’s pretty clear he’s an upgrade over Hillman.  Maybe I was a tad premature in declaring the honeymoon over.  And as far as the Royals playing .500 ball for an extended stretch, it appears he arrived at just the right time.

Nothing wrong with that.  I hope it continues.

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The next question everyone seems to be asking is, “Can the Royals contend?”  My answer would be to calm down.  But damn, isn’t this town hungry for a winner?

I realize, like Yost says, we’re a week away from first place.  Whatever.  That’s all well and good, but it’s going to be a struggle to get back to .500.  Right now, the Royals Pythag record is 39-46 – which is exactly where they stand for real.  And there are three teams ahead of us who are playing really good baseball.

I still think the Royals finish in fourth.  It’s possible they could steal third away from the White Sox who always seem to be an Ozzie Guillen moment away from destruction.

I’d be happy with improved fundamentals.

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Brian Moynahan at Bus League Baseball interviewed Mike Moustakas about making adjustments after his disastrous 2009, going home to Southern California for the Futures Game and Bull Durham.  It’s a good interview and worth the time to read.
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So did you see that interview in ESPN’s Magazine where the unnamed MLB player takes a shot at Kansas City hosting the 2012 All-Star Game?  The money quote:

I also know for a fact that guys around the majors are not psyched about the prospect of spending All-Star week in Kansas City in 2012.  The park isn’t great, and there’s just not much going on in that town.

Cry me a freaking river.   Yeah, this isn’t New York or Boston, but the game has been played in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh or Cincinnati and survived.  There’s plenty to do in this city and I have full confidence that the forces will come together and provide one hell of a party.

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The one fear – and it’s a very real one given their recent hot streak – is the Royals won’t make the moves necessary at the upcoming trade deadline to pave the road for the future.  We all remember how Allard Baird went for it in 2004 – and set the franchise back in the process.

However, this is a different era and a different regime.  If there’s one thing Dayton Moore has preached from the beginning is building through the minors.  As long as he doesn’t overvalue his trade chips, I don’t think this little hot stretch alters The Process.  That’s a good thing.