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The Kansas City Royals control their own destiny. After eight seasons sitting idle in the American League Central cellar, the Royals have postseason dreams. Dreams can often imitate reality. And the Royals are visualizing a chance to make their own Major League Baseball history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, if the Royals are not careful, they could be staring at a potential nightmare scenario. The Royals sit at 82-71 with nine games remaining. All eyes are on a playoff berth and the AL Wild Card seems the most likely path. KC remains 1 ½ games ahead of the Minnesota Twins for the second Wild Card spot (of three) and trails the Baltimore Orioles by 2 ½ games for the top Wild Card position. Conversely, the Royals are two games from being out of the postseason. KC was swept by the Detroit Tigers this week. “We still control our own fate as far as getting into the playoffs, and that’s all you can really ask for,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We have to play better and we have to win some games. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Royals are on pace for 87 wins after finishing with a 56-106 record last season. It would match the third-best regular-season turnaround since 1961. Still, the final regular-season stretch will not be easy. The Royals have a flawed lineup, an injured bullpen and overworked starters. They are pushing hard to the finish line with crucial series remaining against the San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. What key factors will influence the Royals’ playoff fate? Here are a few things to ponder down the stretch. Will the starting pitching hold up?The Royals have built their identity behind starting pitching. It was the No. 1 goal on general manager J.J. Picollo’s vision board this offseason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last season, KC starters had a 5.12 combined ERA. There were 23 pitchers that made at least one start during the year. At times, Quatraro utilized bullpen games to log innings or just to finish series. Things are vastly different. Picollo was successful in signing reliable veterans Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha in free agency. Then, he added Michael Lorenzen to fortify the starting unit at the 2024 trade deadline. “That’s where it all starts,” Picollo said. “We’re in every game, win or lose. We are in every single game. So it definitely starts with that.” |
