The Playoff Race: Royals Magic Number Down to One. DON’T JINX IT!
By John Viril
Sep 25, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher
Greg Holland(56) celebrates the last out with catcher
Salvador Perez(13) against the Chicago White Sox at U.S Cellular Field. Kansas City defeats Chicago 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Royals are now one measly win (or Seattle loss) from breaking the longest playoff drought in sports by claiming an A.L. wild card position.
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The Royals took care of business against the White Sox Thursday night, winning 6-3 in Chicago. Meanwhile, Seattle staved off elimination with a 7-5 win over Toronto. Guess the Blue Jays can’t do all of the Royals work. They’ve helped out a lot.
Eric Hosmer went 3 for 5, while hitting his 9th home run and driving in 2 RBI’s, while Kelvin Herrera notched the win for a scoreless inning of relief in the 7th. Greg Holland racked up his 45th save.
I don’t want to jinx anything by celebrating early. Remember that, well, they’re the Royals—they’re the very embodiment of Murphy’s law in baseball.
At 87 wins, Kansas City has achieved their highest win total in 25 years, since they won 89 games in 1989. By sweeping the White Sox, the Royals could break the 90 win mark for the first time since 1985.
Perhaps it’s greedy, but I think the team is overdue for a nice 15-game winning streak (which would give them a World Series trophy).
A.L. CENTRAL
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.
The Detroit Tigers moved within 1 win of claiming their 4th straight A.L. Central title on Wednesday by defeating Minnesota 4-2 behind another strong performance by Max Scherzer (18-5).
It would take a 3-game collapse from the Tigers, plus a 3-game winning streak from the Royals, to give Kansas City the A.L. Central title.
Cleveland has no remaining chance for the A.L. Central, nor can they tie Kansas City for a wild card.
A.L. WILD CARD
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table.
The Oakland A’s continue to stumble their way to the playoffs. They lost 2-1 to Texas to fall 1 game behind Kansas City in the wild card standings. The A’s sill hold the A.L’s 2nd wild card position.
Seattle looms 2 games behind Oakland, and could still overtake the A’s to claim a wild card—while they can do no better than tie Kansas City.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is hanging on to the very fringe of playoff contention. At best, they can tie Oakland for a wild card with 3 A’s losses, 3 Cleveland wins, as well as—at least—one Seattle loss.
Yeah right. i think I’ll wait for peace in the middle east.