KC Royals: Psych Studies Support Batting Alcides Escobar At Leadoff

By John Viril | May 31, 2016

Apr 5, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) is embraced by manager Ned Yost (3) as he receives his World Series ring before the game against the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

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Royals Probability Defying Feats

In 2014, the KC Royals became the first team in major-league history to overcome a four-run, eighth inning lead in an elimination game. According to ESPN, Kansas City’s win percentage had dwindled to a mere 3% in the 7th inning. The Kansas City Royals, of course, rallied to win the game 8-7 in 12 innings.

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Escobar batted leadoff in that Wild Card game, and throughout the 2014 playoffs which saw them become the first AL team to win eight straight games in a single post-season.

In 2015, the KC Royals reeled off EIGHT comebacks out of 11 post-season wins on their way to the 2015 title, overcoming multi-run leads SEVEN times. That run included a second four-run, eighth inning rally to stave off elimination against the Astros in game 4 of the ALDS. This time, the Kansas City Royals pulled off their miracle on the road. Of course it had never been done before. And their winning odds were an even worse 2%.

Oh yeah, and Alcides Escobar collected a trophy after getting named series MVP for the American League Championship Series against Toronto by slashing .478/.481/.652. Yost talked about Escobar batting leadoff with USA Today:

"“Statistically speaking, it doesn’t make any sense,” Yost said during the Royals’ ALCS win over the Toronto Blue Jays. “It just doesn’t. But it works. It works. We find ways to win baseball games.”"

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