The series on team offense continues with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals scored 4.23 runs per game in 2009, ranking 23nd in the majors and 13th in the American League. The order comes from the probable lineup on CBSSportsline.

The OBP and slugging percentage used come from the Marcel the Monkey forecast system. Plugging those numbers in the Lineup Analysis Tool (LAT) produces the following results:

• Best lineup: 4.64 runs per game
• Probable lineup: 4.56 runs per game
• Worst lineup: 4.34 runs per game
• Regressed lineup: 4.36 runs per game

A number of teams in this series put enough good hitters on the field that it is tough for the manager to fill out a poor lineup card. The Royals are the opposite, in that it’s difficult for Trey Hillman to put together a good lineup. Just eyeballing the order on CBSSportsline, I would lead off with DeJesus, and the LAT agrees there. However, it does show that Hillman gets the 1-4 versus 5-9 split correct in terms of personnel. Also, the LAT likes Getz as a second leadoff man in the ninth slot.

If the Royals decide to use Alberto Callaspo at second base, the best lineup would go up to 4.73 runs per game, or about 16 runs over the either season. It’s going to be a very tough defense vs. offense question for the team. Unless a number of players have career years, the Royals pitching staff will need to make due with little run support.

Previous entries in this series:

• Toronto Blue Jays
• New York Yankees
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• Boston Red Sox
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Minnesota Twins
• Colorado Rockies
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Texas Rangers
• Los Angeles Dodgers
• Cleveland Indians
• Florida Marlins
• Oakland Athletics
• Baltimore Orioles
• Detroit Tigers
• Atlanta Braves
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Chicago White Sox
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Chicago Cubs
• Washington Nationals

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