KC Royals: Do Not Give Up on Playoff Hopes Just Yet
By Mike Norris
While the KC Royals have gone just 5-6 since that streak and dropped two games in the Wild Card race, how could you count this team out?
Well, one way is to look at the numbers Mellinger used — a 26-12 finish needed at the time, which had been done only once by the Royals the past three seasons — and another is to let pettiness and sour grapes cloud your mind , a la La Canfora:
Are the Royals gonna bother finishing the season, or nah? We ended their season at Camden Yards in like May. See ya in another 30 years
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 6, 2016
We know the Royals have certainly bothered to finish the season, and quite well in fact. Since the former weekly caller to 610 AM’s The Drive posted the above tweet, Kansas City is 20-8, outscoring opponents 148-89.
Designated hitter Kendrys Morales is hitting again, Hosmer homered and drove in four on Monday, and the pitching staff from top to bottom has been at its best during this hot stretch.
The bullpen has been shaky as of late, blowing late leads to the Tigers and Yankees last week. However, the law of averages had to come into play at some point after the pen did not allow an earned run for a streak of 41 1/3 innings last month.
Cyborg closer Wade Davis is back from the disabled list. Right fielder Lorenzo Cain hopefully will be in the lineup soon after missing five games with a sore wrist last week. The schedule also is looking mighty fine with 13-straight games against sub. 500 teams on deck.
Next: To sum up...