Run Differential After 9 Games

It’s been a fun week, hasn’t it? Coming off a near sweep of the Phillies, the Royals finally asserted home dominance in a sweep of Twins. Counting the final game of the White Sox series, they’ve won six of their last seven and currently sit atop the AL Central standings with a 6-3 record. That ties them for the fifth best start in team history. Only the 2003 (9-0), 1978 (8-1), 1973 (7-2), and 1975 (7-2) teams were better.

April 08, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Billy Butler (16) at bat against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals have outscored their opponents 43-28 this year. In their history that run differential of +15 has only been topped three other times after nine games and it marks the ninth time they have been +10 or better. The other eight times? Yeah, they did pretty well. Three playoff appearances and zero seasons below .500.

Year	W/L	RA	RS	RD	Finished
1973	7-2	68	34	+34	88-74
2003	9-0	47	22	+25	83-79
1977	5-4	56	40	+16	102-60
2013	6-3	43	28	+15	?
1975	7-2	41	27	+14	91-71
1978	8-1	38	24	+14	92-70
1987	5-4	54	41	+13	83-79
1979	5-4	62	51	+11	85-77
1984	5-4	45	35	+10	84-78

Now that’s not enough data to draw any meaningful conclusions obviously, but you have to admit, it is encouraging. It’s less encouraging when you look at other teams. Two years ago the White Sox, Rockies and Indian were all +15 after nine games and all three finished with a losing record. That same year the Reds were +17 and they also finished below .500. But whatever, we don’t care about their history.

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