As the regular season winds down, the Kansas City Royals find themselves in a grinding battle for a coveted playoff berth. After their emphatic victory over the Cleveland Guardians on August 27, they launched themselves into a first-place tie in their division, buoyed by a 6 1/2 game cushion in the playoff standings. Yet, what followed was a dramatic downward spiral that added considerable weight to their postseason ambitions.
Since that pivotal August win, the Royals have endured two grueling seven-game losing streaks, posting a disappointing 7-16 record. This unfortunate turn of events has left them tied with the Detroit Tigers for the second and third wild-card spots, while the Minnesota Twins linger just one game behind. The road to the playoffs has become a steeper climb.
The schedule does little to favor the Royals in their quest; they will finish their season with challenging road games against the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves. Their 37-38 road record offers a sliver of hope but also underscores the arduous path ahead. By contrast, their competitors, the Twins and Tigers, will each enjoy the comforts of wrapping up their seasons with six home games.
Despite the turbulent stretch, the Royals' playoff chances aren't entirely bleak. SportsLine has pegged their postseason odds at 60.5%. However, for those following the team closely, the numbers tell a sobering tale. Since their peak on August 27, the Royals' batting line has plummeted to .206/.273/.317, scoring an average of just 3.04 runs per game. This is a stark contrast to their earlier season performance, where they boasted a .258/.314/.425 line, averaging 4.88 runs per game.
Vinnie Pasquantino's injury has undoubtedly exacerbated their woes, placing additional batting pressure on the team. Bobby Witt Jr. is the lone Royals player to maintain an above-average performance as measured by weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+). For a brief period from June 30 to August 27, Witt Jr. was nothing short of stellar, producing a .416/.467/.774 slash line with 17 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 50 runs in just 48 games. However, even Witt Jr. has seen a dip in his prowess, hitting .261/.340/.500 in the last 23 games.
The inconsistency extends beyond the batting lineup. Yuli Gurriel, who has played only 13 games, has not been a significant factor. Then there's Lucas Erceg, who initially dazzled with a 0.00 ERA and 0.49 WHIP in his first 11 outings, striking out 15 while walking just one. Since August 27, Erceg's ERA has ballooned to 7.45, accompanied by a 1.55 WHIP, two blown saves, and three losses. The bullpen as a whole has struggled, posting a 4.33 ERA with seven losses and four blown saves over the same span.
Context matters, of course. The Royals faced a tough schedule, with 17 of their last 23 games against teams with winning records, including a series sweep at the hands of the 77-79 San Francisco Giants. Yet, as the old adage goes, "We had a tough schedule" and "we lost to a playoff contender" aren't valid excuses. The Royals now have their work cut out for them with a six-game road trip to conclude the season, knowing every game is critical to keep their postseason hopes alive.
For Royals fans, this season is reminiscent of the team's last postseason appearance, which culminated in their World Series title in 2015. Perhaps history can serve as a motivating force for a team eager to return to October baseball. The road may be tough, but for the Royals, it's not yet over. With a bit of resilience and some key performances down the stretch, they still have a fighting chance to clinch that elusive playoff berth.