The Kansas City Royals find themselves in a fierce struggle to secure a playoff berth as the season draws to a close. Having surged into a first-place tie in their division following a decisive victory over the Cleveland Guardians on August 27, the Royals appeared well-positioned with a 6 1/2 game cushion in a playoff spot and just over a month left in the season.
However, the road since then has been anything but smooth for the Royals. Enduring two separate seven-game losing streaks, the team has managed a dismal 7-16 record in this critical stretch. This downturn has left them tied with the Detroit Tigers for the second and third wild-card spots, while the Minnesota Twins loom just a game behind.
Compounding their challenges, the Royals are facing a six-game road trip to finish their season, comprising matchups against the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves. Their current 37-38 road record this year doesn't inspire confidence, yet SportsLine still pegs their playoff chances at 60.5%.
Since August 27, the Royals' offensive woes have been highlighted by a batting line of .206/.273/.317 and an average of just 3.04 runs per game. This is a stark contrast to their performance before that date, characterized by a .258/.314/.425 batting line, with an average of 4.88 runs per game.
Injuries have further hampered the lineup, with notable absentee Vinnie Pasquantino sidelined. Amid these struggles, only Bobby Witt Jr. has consistently delivered above-average performance based on weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+). Witt Jr.'s stellar run from June 30 to August 27 featured a .416/.467/.774 slash line, including 17 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 50 runs in 48 games. In the last 23 games, he has cooled slightly, hitting .261/.340/.500.
Yuli Gurriel's limited presence, having played just 13 games, hasn't significantly impacted the lineup. Meanwhile, on the mound, Lucas Erceg, who initially shone with a 0.00 ERA, 0.49 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts against one walk in his first 11 outings, has struggled since August 27, posting a 7.45 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. Erceg's decline includes two blown saves and three losses, contributing to the bullpen's collective struggles. Over the last 23 games, the bullpen has recorded a 4.33 ERA, seven losses, and four blown saves.
The Royals' challenging schedule, featuring opponents with winning records in 17 of their last 23 contests, certainly played its part. Their recent series sweep at the hands of the 77-79 San Francisco Giants epitomized these struggles. Despite the grueling nature of their schedule, it's clear that "We had a tough schedule" and "we lost to a playoff contender" aren't valid excuses.
As the team's first postseason appearance since clinching the World Series title in 2015 hangs in the balance, the next few games will be crucial. It remains to be seen if the Royals can overcome their recent adversities and reclaim the form that once had them looking like playoff favorites. With the final stretch upon us, Royals fans will be hoping for a resurgence to keep postseason dreams alive.