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KC Royals Sit in First Place Despite Suspensions and Injuries

By Krista Mangels |
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May 5, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first basemen Eric Hosmer (35) celebrates with teammate Alex Gordon (4) after hitting a three-run home run against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Going into the game Thursday against the Indians, the KC Royals were sitting at the top of the AL Central. Officially a month into the season, it seems we have a good picture and large enough sample size to see what we can expect from this team for the year.

Overall, besides a few bumps in the road, if we can expect this kind of play all year then we have a lot to be happy about. However, the team will definitely go through its ups and downs.

When we look at the roster over the last couple of weeks, it seems as though they have already been through what you would think would be a low time, with several players being benched for one reason or another.

Dayton Moore had a goal of giving this team as much depth as possible. We heard the plan all through the off-season and in spring training. The success of his plan could not be more evident than in the last few weeks. Looking at the KC Royals record, you would have no idea what they have endured recently when it comes to some of their best players.

The Royals have had four starting position players miss time, along with two starters suffer suspensions, along with injuries to closer Greg Holland and Tommy John surgery for Tim Collins in spring training (which ended his season).

Next: Dealing With Injuries

May 7, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

First, All-Star closer Greg Holland went on the 15-day disabled list. When I first heard this my heart dropped because we all saw what he was able to do for the team last year. Missing him in the bullpen would create a huge void, or you would think.

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While he was out, the KC Royals did not have any blown save opportunities. Wade Davis did an amazing job at filling the closer role. Davis looked like he could be one of the best closers in the game and that is not even his job.

The rest of the bullpen also helped by picking up a few more outs than normal before Davis would come in to close it out for the win. It is such a great problem to have when you have one of the best closers in the game injured and barely notice. That is no disrespect at all towards Holland, but more giving credit to the talent in the bullpen and to Dayton Moore for the depth he put in place.

Lorenzo Cain also was out of the lineup for two games this week, serving his two-game suspension. As one of the best hitters on the team you would think this would have created a hole in the lineup but everyone stepped up where they were needed. Others in the lineup, for example Eric Hosmer in Tuesday’s game, lead the way for the offense.

Alcides Escobar has been missing from the team, on the DL with a concussion. At the time this was announced, it seemed like not only would this hurt the Royals defensively but it also took away their lead-off batter. Alex Gordon was the easy choice to replace Escobar in the lineup and it was perfect timing since Gordon was just starting to hit a hot streak.

With Christian Colon as Escobar’s replacement at shortstop, there was no arguing that this would be a downgrade defensively. We cannot say exactly what Escobar could have contributed over the last week that he missed, but Colon has completely impressed us all with his defense and at the very least has been a very suitable replacement.

Injuries haven’t been the only problem. The Kansas City Royals have had ugly incidents against the A’s and the White Sox that caused four players to draw suspensions.

Next: Working Around Suspensions

Apr 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Yordano Ventura (center) talks with Chicago White Sox second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (64) as Chicago White Sox players fight with Kansas City Royals players in the seventh inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Yordano Ventura and Edinson Volquez both were out serving their suspensions because of the brawl in Chicago against the White Sox. The Kansas City Royals were able to strategically maneuver the suspensions so that only one start would be empty due to an off-day.

For this start, Chris Young stepped up and gave us one of the best starts we have seen this season so far. Again, giving Dayton Moore tons of credit for having such a great starter in place for this kind of situation.

Kelvin Herrera just began serving his suspension time but we have every reason to believe that, especially with Holland back, the bullpen will step up to cover his work load just fine. Luke Hochevar was also activated on Thursday morning and will be returning to the Royals bullpen.

With all that being said, in no way can you say this team has had it easy, but the depth in every position has kept the Kansas City Royals winning. It completely excites me to see the KC Royals sitting in first place right now. Then to sit back and think that some of the best and most important players and just now returning.

We can only imagine what the Royals can accomplish with all of their talent on the field at one time. Also, in the next week they will have back their number one starter, Ventura, and their gold glove shortstop. Safe to say things are looking up for the Kansas City Royals during a time when they are already on top.

Next: Kansas City Royals Rise One Spot in FSMLB Power Rankings?

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