The Kansas City Royals' playoff aspirations have taken a significant hit as the season barrels towards its conclusion. At the end of August, the Royals were riding high, tied for first place in their division after a convincing win over the Cleveland Guardians. They boasted a 6 1/2 game cushion in the playoff standings and had just over a month left to solidify their position.
Unfortunately for Royals fans, the team has struggled immensely since then. Plagued by two separate seven-game losing streaks, the Royals have compiled a disappointing 7-16 record in their last 23 games, leaving them tied with the Detroit Tigers for the second and third wild-card spots. The Minnesota Twins are hot on their heels, just one game behind.
Both the Twins and Tigers are set to finish their seasons with six home games each, while the Royals will face the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves on the road. This isn't particularly favorable for Kansas City, given their nearly even 37-38 road record this year.
Despite their recent struggles, SportsLine still pegs the Royals' playoff chances at 60.5%. However, turning that into reality will require a significant turnaround.
Offensive Woes
The Royals' offensive production has taken a nosedive since August 27. Over their last 23 games, the team has a batting line of .206/.273/.317 and has averaged just 3.04 runs per game. This is a stark contrast to their earlier season performance, where they hit .258/.314/.425 and averaged 4.88 runs per game. The absence of Vinnie Pasquantino due to injury has undoubtedly hurt the team's batting dynamism.
Among the bright spots in an otherwise bleak period has been Bobby Witt Jr. From June 30 to August 27, Witt Jr. was on a tear, slashing .416/.467/.774 with 17 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 50 runs in just 48 games. Even during the team's current slump, Witt Jr. has managed to stay productive, hitting .261/.340/.500 over the last 23 games.
Pitching Problems
The Royals' bullpen has been another area of concern. Collectively, the bullpen has posted a 4.33 ERA, suffered seven losses, and blown four saves over the past 23 games. Lucas Erceg, who was a beacon of hope with a 0.00 ERA, 0.49 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts to one walk in his first 11 outings, has faltered significantly. Since August 27, Erceg has a 7.45 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, has blown two saves, and taken three losses, further compounding the team's woes.
The difficulty of their schedule has also played a part in their decline. The Royals faced teams with winning records in 17 of their last 23 contests, including getting swept by the 77-79 San Francisco Giants.
Upward Battle
The road ahead doesn't get any easier. With a crucial six-game road trip looming before the end of the season, the Royals will need to dig deep to break their playoff drought. A postseason appearance would be their first since clinching the World Series title in 2015, a feat that now seems as challenging as any in recent history.
As the Royals' season hangs in the balance, it's evident that excuses like "we had a tough schedule" or "we lost to a playoff contender" won't suffice. The team must find a way to navigate through their current adversity and leverage whatever remaining opportunities they have to clinch a playoff spot. The journey ahead is arduous, but it's not impossible. For the Kansas City Royals, the time to rise to the occasion is now.