The Kansas City Royals are embroiled in a fierce fight to secure a playoff berth. Despite a promising start, recent struggles have significantly complicated their path to the postseason. Their journey, dotted with highs and lows, epitomizes the volatility of a baseball season.
From Dominance to Desperation
On August 27, the Royals catapulted themselves into a first-place tie in their division after a decisive victory over the Cleveland Guardians. They were sitting comfortably with a 6 1/2 game cushion in a playoff spot, seemingly poised for a straight shot to October.
However, the momentum didn’t last. The team spiraled into two separate seven-game losing streaks, resulting in a dismal 7-16 record since that pivotal win. This collapse has left them tied with the Detroit Tigers for the second and third wild-card spots, just a game ahead of the Minnesota Twins. The remaining schedule offers little consolation, with the Royals slated to face the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on the road, against whom they have a precarious 37-38 road record this year.
SportsLine currently pegs the Royals' playoff chances at 60.5%, but the road ahead is far from guaranteed.
Offensive Struggles
The bats have gone quiet at an inopportune time. Since August 27, the Royals have posted a paltry batting line of .206/.273/.317, averaging just 3.04 runs per game. This is a stark contrast to their performance prior to that date when they hit .258/.314/.425 and averaged 4.88 runs per game.
Injuries have played their part. Vinnie Pasquantino's absence has further strained the lineup. Amidst the decline, only Bobby Witt Jr. has managed to maintain an above-average performance by weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+). Witt's numbers were electric from June 30 to August 27, slashing .416/.467/.774, with 17 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 50 runs in 48 games. Over the last 23 games, his performance has dipped slightly to .261/.340/.500.
The inconsistency has been glaring. Yuli Gurriel has been limited to just 13 games, sapping the lineup of a reliable veteran presence.
Pitching Woes
The pitching staff mirrors the offensive struggles. Lucas Erceg, who initially dazzled with a 0.00 ERA, 0.49 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts against just one walk in his first 11 outings, has seen his performance unravel. Since August 27, Erceg's ERA has ballooned to 7.45 with a 1.55 WHIP, and he has blown two saves and taken three losses.
The collective Royals bullpen has registered a 4.33 ERA, endured seven losses, and recorded four blown saves in the last 23 games. Facing teams with winning records in 17 of those contests added to the mounting pressure.
Outlook
The Royals’ slide continued recently when they were swept by the 77-79 San Francisco Giants, a series that underscored their struggles against sub-.500 teams.
As they embark on a six-game road trip to close out the season, their postseason hopes hang in the balance. The Royals are aiming for their first playoff appearance since clinching the World Series title in 2015. With such a significant drop-off in both pitching and hitting, the pathway to the postseason is narrow.
In the words of an unnamed source, "We had a tough schedule" and "we lost to a playoff contender" aren't excuses the squad can lean on. The team’s fate lies in their ability to reclaim the early-season form that saw them at the summit of their division or continue their downward trajectory out of playoff contention.
Only time will tell if the Royals can rally in the final stretch and take their place among this year’s playoff teams.