KC Royals: Five Reasons They Are Better Than Detroit Tigers

May 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Wade Davis (17) takes a look at the runner at first against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s just get straight to the point — the Royals have the best bullpen in baseball. They lead the Majors with a 1.68 ERA and fewest walks (32) and losses (2). They are second with a .190 batting average against.

Eighth-inning set-up man Wade Davis, arguably the best relief pitcher in baseball the past two seasons, has been just as good filling in as a closer for Greg Holland earlier this season.

Despite a 1/3 of an inning, two-run performance Monday, Holland still has seven saves in eight chances, and a 2.61 ERA. Davis on the other hand has yet to surrender a run in 19 innings pitched.

The third part of the HDH trio, Kelvin Herrera, has been stellar as well. His 1.80 ERA, coupled with six holds, stacks up with the best in the AL.

Jason Frasor (0.60 ERA) and Ryan Madson (1.74) have been as good as anyone could ask for up to this point.

On the other hand, the pen has been the Achilles Heel of the Tigers for at least the past two seasons. Detroit sports a decent 2.82 ERA and .232 batting average against, but it also lost its closer Joe Nathan for the season earlier this year.

Former Royal Joakim Soria has been good as his replacement, but after a horrible performance as a set-up man last year for Detroit, Tigers fans most likely are cautiously optimistic about him.

Even with an improved pen, there aren’t enough moves Tigers’ GM Dave Dombrowski could make to put his relievers on the same level as Kansas City.

Next: No. 2: Can You Manage To Believe This?