KC Royals: Root, Root, Root For The Yankees

Josh Donaldson (20) is congratulated by shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) – Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The KC Royals had problems with the new Toronto Blue Jays.

On July 28th, prior to trading for Troy Tulowitzki and David Price, the Toronto Blue Jays were in fourth place in the American League East with a record of 50-51.  Since then, they ripped off their second 11-game winning streak of 2015 and have been riding a teeter-totter with the Yankees for first place in the American League East.

They now have a true ace in Price, and as of August 20, the first four guys in their lineup average 25 home runs and 75 runs batted in, which for an individual, is in the top 10 in the American League in each category.

So, for the rest of the season, opposing pitchers get to face four could-be cleanup hitters in a row to start the game.  Fun.

Although the Blue Jays were only 50-51, their expected win-loss percentage was .588, the same as the Royals at the time, and the highest in the American League.  Their run differential was +94.

You wouldn’t have known it from their record, but the Blue Jays were already good.  Now, they’re really good – as in, they’re good enough to have overtaken the Royals in odds to win the 2015 World Series.

Now, as a Royals fan, do I fear the Blue Jays?  Sure I do; it was just three weeks ago they took three of four against us and hit seven home runs.  I think anyone would be crazy to take one look at that lineup and not be scared when crossing the Canadian border.

So, if they are the best, you probably wouldn’t want to play them first in the postseason, would you?  If they do have the best odds of winning the World Series, wouldn’t you want to push off playing them as much as possible? Let other teams take a crack and increase your odds of making it further along.

In this case, probably not.

Next: Let's Go...Yankees?