The Kansas City Royals find themselves in a precarious position as they battle for a playoff berth. After a promising victory over the Cleveland Guardians on August 27, the Royals surged into a first-place tie in their division, holding a 6 1/2 game cushion in a playoff spot with just over a month left in the season. However, the ensuing weeks have not been kind to Kansas City fans.
Since that high point, the Royals have endured two separate seven-game losing streaks, leading to a dismal 7-16 record over the past 23 games. This downturn has brought them into a tie with the Detroit Tigers for the second and third wild-card spots, while the Minnesota Twins lurk just a game behind. The fight for postseason spots is far from over, and the upcoming schedule doesn't favor the Royals.
A Tough Road Ahead
While the Twins and Tigers will conclude their seasons with six home games each, the Royals are set to face the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on the road. So far this year, the Royals have a nearly even 37-38 road record, hardly the mark of a confident road warrior. SportsLine estimates the Royals' playoff chances at 60.5%, but recent performances have cast doubt on those optimistic projections.
Offensively, the Royals have struggled mightily since August 27. With a team batting line of .206/.273/.317, their average runs per game have fallen to 3.04. This is a considerable drop from their earlier performance, where they hit .258/.314/.425 and averaged 4.88 runs per game. Injuries have also played a role, with key player Vinnie Pasquantino sidelined. Bobby Witt Jr. remains the lone bright spot, maintaining an above-average performance by weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+).
Witt Jr. had an impressive run from June 30 to August 27, posting a .416/.467/.774 slash line with 17 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 50 runs in just 48 games. Though his recent performance has been solid at .261/.340/.500 over the last 23 games, it's clear that he can't carry the team alone. Another potential contributor, Yuli Gurriel, has been limited to just 13 games, making it difficult for the lineup to find consistency.
Pitching Woes
The pitching staff, particularly the bullpen, has also faced significant challenges. Lucas Erceg was exceptionally reliable earlier in the season, boasting a 0.00 ERA, 0.49 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts against one walk in his first 11 outings. However, since August 27, Erceg's performance has dramatically declined to a 7.45 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. He has blown two saves and taken three losses, contributing to broader bullpen issues. Collectively, the Royals bullpen has a 4.33 ERA, seven losses, and four blown saves over the same span.
The team’s schedule hasn't helped either. Facing opponents with winning records in 17 of their last 23 contests, the Royals have only managed to exacerbate their struggles. Most recently, being swept by the 77-79 San Francisco Giants was a significant blow, underlining the critical need for a turnaround.
The Final Push
As the season draws to a close, the Royals face a crucial six-game road trip. Their journey to Washington D.C. and Atlanta will be fraught with challenges, but these games will determine their postseason fate. The pressure is immense, with the next few games deciding whether they make their first postseason appearance since clinching the World Series title in 2015.
"We had a tough schedule" and "we lost to a playoff contender" aren't valid excuses as the Royals reckon with their recent misfortunes. The coming games will test their resilience and ability to close out a tumultuous season on a high note.
With the stakes sky-high and minimal margin for error, Kansas City must find a way to regain the form that once had them looking like division champions. The next few games will reveal whether they have what it takes to rewrite their story and return to the postseason glory they once enjoyed.