My title says it all folks. The Royals have won their last 9 games in a row. The question is can they keep it moving and Make the Playoffs for a third consecutive season.And do the unthinkable yet again? The Marlins are currently the team who stands in the way of the Streak. After last nights 1-0 win for the boys in blue, The Marlins drop to 65-60 overall. Which is good for second place in the N.L. East behind the Nationals, 73-52, and ahead of the Mets who are at a .504 winning percentage with a record of 63-62. With the loss last night for the Marlins, there post season chances are still very intact. As they are only 8 games out from winning the division, and only trail by 1.5 games in the wildcard race.
As for the Royals, they gained ground in the A.L. Central last night by a half game on the Tigers, who are currently in second place in the Central with a record of 66-59, and the Indians, who are in first place with a record of 72-52. Which puts them out of the division lead by 7.5 games. As for the wildcard spot, the Royals stayed put at 4 games out to the Orioles, 69-56. Next to the Orioles all the Royals have in front of there third post season quest is the Mariners, 67-58, and once again the Tigers at 66-59. With a little over a month left in the season, I still think the Royals quest for a third post season is very much alive.
Over the past two years the Royals have closed out the season in the month of September with an under .500 winning percentage at 26-29. Which isn't to bad and has gotten the job done so far. But this year is a different story. Two seasons ago, the Royals danced there way into the post season sweeping every game up until the world series. Last season, the Royals came out with a 95 win season winning the division by an impressive 12 games over the Twins, who competed with KC for first all season until the last month.
So how do I still see KC in the playoff hunt? I`ll tell you how, the Royals under pressure have been a winning machine as of late, and when things click they just can't be beat. Hence the last two post seasons and all of last season. With there eyes on yet another post season berth, the Royals are looking healthy again. Danny Duffy has been the talk of the Royals organization as of late. And since the All-Star break, Duffy has gone 5-0 with an ERA of 1.18, along with 37 K`s, of which 16 of those came in a single game against Tampa Bay for a Royals Record and where Duffy almost threw a no hitter and went 8 strong innings, which has dropped him to a 2.66 ERA. Yes folks, that ranks him 2nd in the American League only behind Detroit`s Michael Fulmer who has an ERA of 2.58.
With this spark from Duffy, Kansas city`s pitching has been decent enough to post a record of 16-5 in the month of August thus far. and in the last 8 games the Bull Pen has gone 32 consecutive scoreless innings. and if those two aren't enough, Ventura is beginning to shape up. As he has allowed no more than three runs allowed in his last nine appearances.
So with all that in mind, the Royals just simply need to continue to gel well together. Everyone is feeding off of each other right now and the results have been great thus far, resulting in the 9 game winning streak. Despite a rough first half of the season losing player after player, and pitcher after pitcher, If the Royals stay injury free and continue to play smart baseball. Well hey, I see a divisional win for a second straight year. But lets not get to far ahead of ourselves. With thirty plus games left and only 7.5 games out of first at the moment, the chance is still there and thats hopeful thinking. But, knowing this team over the past 3 years anything can happen.
So Royals fans, sit back and relax. and watch the rest of the 2016 season unfold. Because one freaky thing could lead to another and then Bam! you're in or out, and that`s what its all about.
