Could the Kansas City Royals actually be buyers at the deadline?
By Cody Rickman
The next seven days will determine if the Kansas City Royals are buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.
The Kansas City Royals have picked up their performance over the last 10 games, going 6-4 in that stretch. As of August 17th, the Royals have 13 more games scheduled until the August 31st trade deadline.
After the Royals finish their four game series against the Twins, they will start a home stand with a two-game set against a Reds team that is reeling from a coronavirus positive test and three games against the Twins.
The two game series against the Reds is currently in question, as the Reds await anymore positive coronavirus tests. The series may be moved to a doubleheader to take place on Thursday.
Following the home series against the Reds and the Twins, the Royals hit the road for a three game series against the Cardinals and the White Sox, before returning home to match-up with the Indians.
The #Royals have played 21 games this season, 16 against clubs currently .500 or better.
— Dave Holtzman (@DHoltzy) August 16, 2020
In those 16 games, the #Royals are a solid 8-8 with a strong +9 run differential.
The Royals pitching staff and bullpen have put the team in a position to be possible contenders, keeping them in a majority of the games so far this season. The offense has struggled with bad luck and an inability to plate runners in scoring position.
The Royals need to perform well this week against the Reds and the Twins. If the Royals take four out of the next six games on the schedule, they will be at 13-15 for the season.
If the Royals are at 13-15 with a week to go before the trade deadline, they will be in a position where General Manager Dayton Moore may push the envelope to contend. All it takes in this insane 2020 season is a sniff of possible contention to change the organization’s mindset.