KC Royals: Five Reasons They Are Better Than Detroit Tigers
By Mike Norris
May 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas (8) hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Royals won 7-6 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s get to the 50,000-foot view here and say the Royals have scored the third-most runs in baseball at 212. The Tigers aren’t far behind at 200, but with two less games played than KC, they average .5 runs less per game.
The Royals also lead the Tigers in the following categories:
Hits/game — 9.8 to 9.6
Doubles — 90 to 82
RBI — 201 to 187
Batting Average — .287 to .281
Slugging percentage — .431 to .428
Slash line — .287/.366/.431 to .281/.345/.428
The Tigers lead the Royals in a few categories like on-base percentage, total bases and home runs, but the Royals are leading where it counts most — hits and runs — and that is what is helping them to hold a lead in the division over Detroit.
The offense may not be that much better (Detroit’s .281 average is actually second best in baseball), but the Royals 17th-ranked payroll is out-hitting the Tigers’ fourth-ranked payroll.
Maybe money can’t always buy runs.
*Team stats do not include 5/25/15 game.
Next: No. 5: Fan-Tastic Support