THINGS GET EASIER...A LITTLE!

Over the first seven weeks of the season the Chiefs were able to scrape out one win, and that was against a Redskin team that seems to be in the middle of a revolt.  The Redskins were just one of two teams the Chiefs played that currently do not have a winning record.

The Ravens, Eagles, Giants, Cowboys, and Chargers are all currently above .500.  The Chiefs blew a win against the Raiders, the only other team with a losing record they faced so far.  The Chiefs first half schedule totaled 27-24, which is good for a .529 winning percentage.

So how does it look from here on out for the Chiefs.  The over-all win percentage is almost exactly the same, .530.  However that number is a little bloated because the Chiefs play the 6-1 Broncos twice.  In fact there are four teams on the Chiefs schedule that currently boast losing records.  Starting this Sunday with the Jaguars and next week’s game at the Raiders.  In December the Chiefs have back to back home games against the Bills and Browns.

Those four games are the Chiefs best chance to pick up wins in the second half.  In addition to the Broncos twice the Chiefs have games against the Steelers, Chargers, and Bengals.  If the Chiefs can split the four games against losing teams and find a way to steal one game against one of the winners, they are still looking at a 4-12 record to finish the season.

Who can catch, and get on base?

The Royals have to make a decision on Miguel Olivo in the next three days.  Olivo has a three-plus million dollar option that has to be agreed to by both the club and Olivo.  Even though Olivo led the Royals with 23 home runs, he was only able to get on base at a .292 clip.

Last off-season the Royals moved quickly to add Mike Jacobs to their lineup.  He was coming off a 32 homer season with the Marlins.  The problem… his OBP was below .300. 

There is no doubt the Royals (and all teams) need power in their lineup.  But it can’t come at the expense of on base percentage.  $3.3-million is not out of line for Olivo, but it is out of line for a team that just doesn’t get on base enough.  Olivo is not the difference in the Royals winning the Central.

The Royals have to understand the value of the replacement player.  If John Buck and Bryan Pena can give you almost the same production and save you (because Pena will make near the minimum) almost three million, you have to pass on Olivo and use the money somewhere else.