Last year, the Royals batters struckout more than twice as often as they walked (898 K, 406 BB). Last night (Friday) they drew 5 walks and did not strike out at all. Despite being shut out today, they did walk 4 times and K 6, giving them 13 BB and 16 K for the year. It's early, but this is a trend worth watching. If KC has adapted a policy of trying to get on base rather than swinging for the fences, maybe Sweeney won't need to exercise his escape clause.