KC Royals: Five Keys To Taking The Pennant In ALCS Game 5

Oct 12, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman

(8) celebrates with first baseman

(35) after defeating the Houston Astros in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Royals won 9-6. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

2. MIKE MOUSTAKAS AND ERIC HOSMER NEED TO WAKE UP

While the pair have combined for 14 RBI’s in nine 2015 playoff games, Eric Hosmer has been held to a .608 OPS and Mike Moustakas an even more anemic .377 OPS.

That’s horrible, especially for two middle-of-the-order hitters.

First baseman Hosmer and third baseman Moustakas were two pillars of the Kansas City Royals offense during the regular season. Hosmer hit .297/.363/.459 as the KC Royals cleanup hitter, with 18 home runs, 33 doubles, and 93 RBI’s. Meanwhile no. 5 hitter Mike Moustakas chipped in with .284/.348/.476 and a team-leading 22 home runs (tied with Kendrys Morales) and 82 RBI’s.

In short, Hosmer and Moustakas became the offensive cornerstones that they were envisioned to become as prospects. They need to live up to that standard in the 2015 playoffs, beginning Wednesday.

Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas showed they can perform under post-season pressure during the KC Royals 2014 playoff run. Hosmer slashed through the 2014 post-season to the tune of .351/.439/.544 with 12 RBI’s and an outstanding .983 OPS. Moustakas answered by hitting .231/.259/.558 while slamming a team-high five home runs. What they haven’t done is continue their 2014 playoff success in 2015.

That needs to change.

Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas are the heart and soul of the Kansas City Royals clubhouse. They came up together through the KC Royals system, and have grown up together in the major leagues. Now they need to team up to help the big league club win a World Series title.

While the KC Royals have bombed the Blue Jays for 33 runs in four games in the 2015 ALCS with only minimal contributions from their corner infield duo, getting big guns Hosmer and Moustakas on track on Wednesday can only help the team take home the American League pennant on Wednesday.

Next: Ned Yost Needs To Ride His Bullpen