Kansas City Royals: Hot Start Is No Fluke

Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35), third baseman Mike Moustakas (8), and center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) – Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

If the Kansas City Royals win a baseball game, does any national pundit actually hear it?

It’s been a popular notion during the first week of the Major League Baseball season that, despite winning all seven of their games a season after coming up two runs shy of a World Series title, the Royals aren’t getting any love on the national scene.

Sunday, when ESPN announced its power rankings, the Royals weren’t even number one in their own division.

There are stories out there, however, recognizing the Royals are, or at least can be, a great team. Even ESPN noticed these wins have not been of the fluky variety.  

In this day and age it would be nearly impossible for the players to not realize the lack of attention the media is paying to them. They know they are good though, and that is what will make this team even better than 2014.

It remains to be seen if Edinson Volquez (eight innings, one run in his first start) can completely replace James Shields, but even if he doesn’t, ace Yordano Ventura is poised for a better season than last.

Losing outfielder Alex Rios to a fractured hand is tough, but when healthy he is an upgrade from Nori Aoki both at the plate and in the field. Billy Butler always will be a KC fan-favorite, but even the most die-hard Billy Backers have to admit Kendrys Morales is a more productive hitter.

Next: More on the Hot Start