KC Royals: Hot Streaks Outweighed by Cold Streaks

The Final Nail

The KC Royals entered the final month of the season with some lofty expectations. They are fighters. They are scrappers. Better yet, they are winners.

Since the end of their hot streak in August, though, the team has struggled. In their last 16 games, they’ve only won five (though Friday). They lost all-important games at home against other Wild Card contenders like the Yankees and Tigers.

The final nail came this week at home against the lowly Athletics. The Royals had a four-game stint against one of the worst teams in the American League. They could overcome their recent poor play and still stay in the postseason race.

It was not to be. Instead, the Royals tanked in the worst ways. They got blown out of their own stadium with the season on the line.

In the four-game series that just ended Thursday night. The Royals were outscored 43-12, and five of those runs came in the last inning of the series, with Kansas City trailing by two touchdowns.

They gave up an incredible 81 baserunners to Oakland and at one point didn’t score for 17 straight innings until the ninth frame on Thursday. Twice in the series, the team benched their starters in blowouts.

Another loss at home on Friday, this time to the White Sox, pretty much dashed all hope.

Next: It's Over