BONUS BLOG: Chiefs 2019 Schedule Revealed!

It was like opening a brand new toy for Christmas last night when at 7:00 PM, the Chiefs’ 2019 schedule was revealed, but it was a toy that you can only think about and speculate upon for the next 4 and a half months, until you finally get to see it out of its box. 

Let me be the first to offer my hot take on the Chiefs 2019 schedule.

Week 1: Sept. 8 @ Jaguars

BQB Prediction: WIN

An interesting road choice to open the season, but will certainly be a test for the Chiefs with a stout Jags defense and Super Bowl winning QB, Nick Foals, now taking the snaps. A tough road test to start us off, but I put this one in the win column.

Week 2: Sept. 15 @ Raiders

BQB Prediction: WIN

Before the Chiefs return home, they enter into the “Black Hole” for a divisional match up against the Raiders. Raider Nation is never very welcoming to our “Boys in Red.” QB Derrick Carr is now armed with wide receiver, Antonio Brown, who has given the Chiefs fits in the past when Brown was on the Steelers. However, if the defense finds a way to contain Brown, and put Carr on his back when trying to pass to him, then I think you can add this one to the win column.

Week 3: Sept 22. vs Ravens

BQB Prediction: WIN

This marks the home opener for the Chiefs after a tough road trip to start the season, however, Lamar Jackson and his clock gobbling offense will be there to welcome them home. The Chiefs needed an overtime period last season to beat the Ravens, but with a supposedly improved Chiefs defense, I will put this one in the win column.

Week 4: Sept. 29 @ Lions

BQB Prediction: WIN

In my opinion, no offense to the Lions or Lions fans, but I believe this to be the easiest game on the Chiefs schedule. It is a road game, and I believe you should give an automatic 3 points to the home team, but the Lions have always been a very average team. With the issues with their QB, Matt Stafford, I will put this one in the win column.

Week 5: OCT. 6 vs Colts (Sunday Night Football)

BQB Prediction: WIN

Ah yes, the first game under the bright lights of Arrowhead. The Colts are a good team with one of the best QBs in the land, not to mention former Chiefs’ outside linebacker Justin Houston will be on a different side of the ball this time as a Colt. but the Chiefs tore them up in the playoffs last season, so they will be out for revenge. However, I think the crowds and the lights of Arrowhead Stadium will be in the Chiefs favor and I will place this one in the win column.

Week 6: OCT. 13 vs Texans

BQB Prediction: WIN

The Texans boast one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL, which will offer a good test for our rocket ship offense. It will be a great battle between our Patrick Mahomes and Texans’ Deshaun Watson, but in the end, put this one in the win column.

Week 7: OCT. 17 @ Broncos. (Thursday Night Football)

BQB Prediction: WIN

Mile High Stadium is no joke, and when they last visited, the Chiefs needed a come from behind victory to walk out alive. This game will be made even tougher by the short turnaround from the Chiefs previous game, but the Broncos are going through some issues with their QB so I believe this will assist in putting this one in the win column for the Chiefs.

Week 8: OCT. 27 vs Packers (Sunday Night Football)

BQB Prediction: WIN

After a nice ten day break after that vicious game against the Broncos, our Chiefs face the Packers in another game under the lights. Aaron Rodgers is a tough opponent to face, especially in prime time, but it is no secret that the Pack is not what it used to be. Put this one in the Chiefs win column.

Week 9: NOV. 3 vs Vikings

BQB Prediction: WIN

The Vikings roll into Arrowhead in early November but they are not what they once were in their 2017 playoff run. Chalk this one up in the win column for the Chiefs.

Week 10: NOV. 10 at Titans

BQB Prediction: WIN

There are those of you who will glance at this game on the schedule and immediately place it in the win column. But I must remind you of the last two times the Chiefs faced the Titans, they robbed us of what seemed like certain victories, including a come from behind victory which knocked the Chiefs out of the 2017 playoffs. However, the Chiefs should be out for blood to avenge those two terrible losses, so I will also put this one in the win column.

Week 11: NOV. 18 @ Chargers in Mexico City (Monday Night Football) 

BQB Prediction: LOSS

The Mexico City game against the Rams was cancelled last year due to poor field conditions, but it is being made up for this year with a divisional slug fest against the Chargers. Both teams will be highly keyed up for this match up. This is a long road trip for the Chiefs to face against a rough Chargers team that managed to knock the Chiefs off last year. Sadly, I must place this game in the loss column.

Week 12: Bye.

Week 13: DEC. 1 vs Raiders

BQB Prediction: WIN

The Raiders will attempt a plundering of Arrowhead, but the last time they did so, they were decidedly and soundly slayed by Mahomes and the Chiefs. Place this one in the win column.

Week 14: DEC. 8 @ Patriots

BQB Prediction: LOSS

Simply put, Gillette Stadium is THE hardest place to win in the NFL, and it will stay that way as long as it is home to Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Brady may not have Rob “The Gronk” Gronkowski to throw to anymore, but don’t think for one moment that that will slow the 6 time Super Bowl winner down. This game will go down to the last possible second – per usual, but I am afraid you must place it in the loss column. (I deeply hope I am wrong.)

Week 15: DEC. 15 vs Broncos

BQB Prediction: WIN

Having home field advantage, and the above mentioned QB issues with the Broncos, place this one in the win column.

Week 16: DEC. 22 @ Bears (Sunday Night Football)

BQB Prediction: WIN

This game is personal for Andy Reid and the Chiefs, for Bears head coach Matt Naggy, is the former offensive coordinator of the Chiefs and indeed the first OC that Mahomes trained under, giving him definite inside knowledge. Not only that, but one of the biggest stars on the Bears is outside linebacker Khalil Mack. I believe it will take more than Naggy’s inside knowledge and Khalil Mack to beat the Chiefs on this Sunday night. Place this one in the win column.

Week 17: DEC. 29 vs Chargers

BQB Prediction: WIN

The last game of the 2019 regular season is in the chilly but warm embrace of Arrowhead Stadium, and the Chiefs do not plan to allow the Chargers to ruin that event. So they will celebrate their playoff berth with a sound whipping of the Chargers. Place this one in the win column.

Alright, if the math is correct, this means your BQB predicts the Chiefs have a regular season record of 14-2. This will almost assuredly make them AFC West Champions for the fourth year in a row and probably grant them a bye week during Wild Card Weekend and possibly even home field advantage throughout the playoffs, until of course, they depart for Super Bowl 54.

Blind Quarterback Plays Baseball: Week 3

My beautiful daughter and I sporting our Royals' blue

Royal’s Round Up

4 Game Series Against the Mariners
All Royals fans are recovering this morning after the emotional roller coaster that was last week of Royals’ baseball. It started on Monday, when the red hot Seattle Mariners rode into town for a 4 game series at the K. The bullpen struggled and sadly, our Boys in Blue did not claim any of those games as wins, but the series wasn’t devoid of moments of true Royals’ baseball. 

4 Game Series Against the Mariners:

Even during a loss, I listened to Jorge Soler smash a ball at bat, giving Terrence Gore enough time to run from second to third and go ahead and sprint those last 90 feet home. Wednesday night was my highlight in this series in Whit Merrifield’s bunt for an RBI single hit off Mariners’ pitcher Matt Festa. This was Merrifield’s 31^st consecutive hit, breaking the record held previously by Royals’ legend George Brett. Unfortunately, that night, Royals had bases loaded and were down by one run. With Adalberto Mondesi at the plate, needing a hit to tie it and a homer to win. With two outs, Mondesi ended the game with a fly out and Seattle snatched the victory. 

The next day Merrifield’s hitting streaked ended as he went 0-6 for over ten innings. At the top of the ninth, the Royals had 2 outs and 2 men on base. They just needed one more strike to walk away with the victory. Mariners’ outfielder, Mitch Haniger swung his bat, connecting firmly with the ball and knocking it into center field. Center fielder, Billy Hamilton attempted to field it, but the ball bounced from his glove and he fall to the ground with a leg injury. This mishap led to Haniger driving in a triple and catcher, Omar Narvaez, and second baseman, Dee Gordon crossed home plate, scoring two runs to tie the game at 6. Eventually, the Mariners would take home the win in the 10^th inning.

3 Game Series Against the Indians:

The Royals came back with a vengeance to make up for this losing series with the Mariners when divisional rivals, Cleveland Indians visited K starting on Friday for a 3 game series. Royals’ bats were on fire and the bullpen vastly improved as the Royals swept the series, winning all three games. At the end of the last game of the series, the Royals claimed a 9-8 victory, thanks to the single RBI hit off the bat of Hunter Dozier. The hit brought Terrence Gore home, sealing the victory and the series sweep for the Royals over the Indians and allow me to witness my first walk off win.

Up Next:

The Royals have a particularly rough road trip of 10 games before finally returning home to Kauffman Stadium. First they head to Chicago to face off against divisional rivals the White Sox in a 3 game series. Next they head to the Big Apple to face the evil Empire, the New York Yankees in a 4 game series. The Yankees don’t have to be a divisional rival to earn Royals’ fans hatred and scorn. Before they head home, making a pit stop in Tampa Bay, Florida for a 3 game series with the Rays.

Hot Batters:

Tim Anderson
I am paying careful attention this week to White Sox shortstop, Tim Anderson. Anderson has the leading batting average in the American League with .429 as well as 3 homers, 10 RBIs and 5 stolen bases.

Elvis Andrus

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus has also earned the title “Hot Batter”. In this past week, his batting average has ranked .414, in addition to 2 homers, 7 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

Around The League:

There are many records held in great esteem in the world of Major League Baseball, but a record that no player wants to hold is longest consecutive streak of at bats without a hit. This rather dubious honor, goes to Baltimore Orioles’ 1^st basemen Chris Davis. Davis went a record 54 at bats without a single hit, 30 of those from this current season and 24 in the previous season. On Saturday, Davis’s streak of futility would end with a bases loaded single liner, not only giving him his first hit in 54 at bats, but his first RBI as well.

On this day in Baseball History, April 15, 1947, was the first day of Jackie Robinson’s major league baseball career with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson was the first African American to play Major League baseball, a feat which he accomplished with dignity, class and grace. In honor of Robinson, the uniform number 42 has been retired in every major league ball park across America. Incidentally, Robinson once played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues.

Ask the Old Dog:

"The one word I would use for Royals this week is improvement. At the end of a 10 game losing streak the Royals swept a divisional rival that has dominated the Central the past few years. Royals’ offensive numbers continue. Merrifield broke the hitting streak of George Brett. Gordon continues his offensive numbers. Overall offense looked good against Cleveland. There still is concern in the bullpen but they had a few hiccups but overall did well holding Indians late. Something they couldn’t do against the hot Mariners earlier in week. The starters went at least six innings each had high pitch counts but worked themselves out of trouble for the most part. As Fillmyer takes the mound tonight against the White Sox. The Sox are 5-9 and taking this division series is important. We end the week in the Bronx playing the Yankees. Let’s hope the bullpen continues to improve and our starters stay late in the games.”

Blind Quarterback Plays Baseball: Week 2

 

Royals Roundup:

“The Boys in Blue” had a two game series at the "K" against the Minnesota Twins and a 3-game road series against the Detroit Tigers. Unfortunately all 5 of those games would fall into our loss column, bringing the Royals record to a mere 2-6.

Home Series against the Twins:

The evening game against the Twins at the K pushed into extra innings, the score tied 4-4, but the struggling bullpen would not be able to gain a lead, allowing the Twins to score a run in the top of the 10^th inning. On the bright side, Whit Merrifield extended his hit streak and stole a base. The second game almost mirrored the game before. The Royals scored 6 runs (5 of them coming in the bottom of the fifth inning) with the Twins having only 3. This gave the Royals a 3 run cushion roughly half way through the game, a cushion the bullpen was unable to hold onto. Merrifield extended his streak and propensity for base stealing.

Road Series against the Tigers:

The first 2 of the 3 games in the series were lost by a bullpen that is now known to have the highest ERA in the American League. Between Merrifield’s continued hit streak, Alex Gordon’s bat on fire and Adalberto Mondesi’s doubles and triples - the offense stored enough runs for the win. But the bullpen struggled to maintain the lead. On Sunday however, the bats of the Royals had quieted down, only achieving 1 run. A less polished Brad Keller allowed the Tigers to score all the runs they needed for the win in the first six innings. Relievers Jake Diekmen and Brad Boxburger each pitched a scoreless inning.

Ahead:

The Royals host one of the hottest teams in the league, the 9-2 Seattle Mariners in a 4 game series. Immediately after, divisional rivals, Cleveland Indians will crash into the K for a 3 game series.

Week 2 Top 2 Hot Batters:

Whit Merrifield:
Merrifield’s bat caught fire back in September of last season and continues to burn. Merrifield is currently on a 28 game hitting streak - matched only by George Brett in Royals history with 30 games. Until the streak is broken – Merrifield remains at the top of your BQB’s list.

Tim Beckham:
Seattle Mariners’ shortstop, Tim Beckham has a .400 batting average . He is 16-40 with 11 RBIs. Beckham and the Mariners face the Royals for the next 4 days. My fellow Royals’ fans and I are hoping that the Royals’ pitching staff might throw some ice water on Beckham’s red hot bat.

Around the League Drama:

It all began in the fourth inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds game on Sunday afternoon. Pirates’ pitcher, Chris Archer threw his first pitch to Reds’ batter Derek Dietrich. Archer’s 93 mph fastball flew behind the waist of Dietrich as the batter stood still.
Reds’ manager, David Bell leapt from his dugout and argued with the plate umpire that Archer should have been ejected. This caused an insane chain reaction and tempers flared – especially in Reds’ right fielder, Yasiel Puig. Puig attempted to put Pirates’ bench coach, Tom Prince in a headlock but was held back by his teammate, Joey Votto. The Pirates’ 7-5 victory over the Reds ended with five total ejections including Puig, Reds’ pitcher Amir Garrett and Pirates’ pitchers Keone Kela and Felipe Vazquez.
What dramatic story will happen next week?
Your BQB will keep you informed.

Ask the Old Dog:

“Seattle comes into Kansas City with a 9-2 record leading the Western Division. Tonight Homer Bailey brings his 5.49 ERA against Seattle’s Hernandez who is 1-0 and a 1.69 ERA. Seattle’s has a 5-1 home record and 4-1 road record do are playing pretty good baseball right now. Royals starters are going to have to go 6 or more innings and hold them. Our bullpen needs to settle into a routine and improve their numbers. Important week and home stand. Cleveland comes in as another division opponent we must beat. Key is the starters going deep, bullpen settles down and our offense keep improving.” - @kcolddog

What are your thoughts on Week 2 of 2019 Baseball Season? 

Stay tuned for more BQB Plays Baseball.