The Kansas City Royals are embroiled in a tense battle for a playoff spot as the Major League Baseball season draws to a close. Following a resounding win over the Cleveland Guardians on August 27, the team seemed poised for a strong finish, tying for first place in their division and establishing a 6 1/2 game cushion for a playoff position. However, the road since has been anything but smooth for the Royals.
Since that pivotal victory, Kansas City has faltered, enduring two separate seven-game losing streaks and amassing a disappointing 7-16 record. This dramatic downturn has left them tied with the Detroit Tigers for the second and third wild-card spots, with the Minnesota Twins trailing just a game behind. The final stretch of the season is set to be a nail-biter, with the Twins and Tigers enjoying the home-field advantage for six games each to conclude their campaigns. Meanwhile, the Royals face the daunting task of finishing the season on the road, with series against the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves.
The Royals have struggled on the road this year, posting a 37-38 record, which must be cause for concern as they head into this crucial period. Despite the challenges, SportsLine still gives Kansas City a 60.5% chance of making the playoffs, a glimmer of hope for a team that has been tested severely in recent weeks.
The Royals' offensive production has notably declined since August 27. Before that date, the team boasted a robust .258/.314/.425 slash line, averaging 4.88 runs per game. Post-August 27, those numbers have plummeted to a .206/.273/.317 line with a mere 3.04 runs per game. The absence of Vinnie Pasquantino due to injury has further exacerbated the Royals' woes. In contrast to Pasquantino’s sidelining, Bobby Witt Jr. has continued to shine, albeit at a slightly dimmed brilliance. Between June 30 and August 27, Witt Jr. was a standout, slashing .416/.467/.774 with 17 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 50 runs in 48 games. In the last 23 games, Witt Jr.’s numbers have regressed to a still respectable .261/.340/.500.
Adding to the offensive struggles, Yuli Gurriel's limited participation—just 13 games played—has done little to shore up the Royals' lineup. Concurrently, Lucas Erceg, who initially dazzled with a 0.00 ERA, 0.49 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts against one walk in his first 11 outings, has seen his performance nosedive. Since August 27, Erceg sports a 7.45 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, blowing two saves and collecting three losses. The bullpen as a whole has mirrored these struggles, compiling a 4.33 ERA with seven bullpen losses and four blown saves in the last 23 games.
The Royals’ recent slump can also be attributed to their grueling schedule. They faced teams with winning records in 17 of their last 23 contests, which included a sweep at the hands of the 77-79 San Francisco Giants. Despite the tough matchups, dismissing these struggles as a mere result of a challenging schedule would be misleading. As one quote aptly captures, "'We had a tough schedule' and 'we lost to a playoff contender' aren't valid excuses."
Standing on the precipice of their first postseason appearance since their World Series triumph in 2015, the Royals must summon a final surge to overcome the odds. Their six-game road trip to end the season is fraught with peril but holds the promise of redemption. If the team can rediscover their form and get consistent contributions from key players like Witt Jr., they have a fighting chance to secure a coveted playoff berth.