Kansas City Royals World Series Odds Released

Last year, the Kansas City Royals used the minimal expectations from the experts as fuel for their World Series run. This season, Las Vegas can be added to the list of doubters, as the Westgate SuperBook released their World Series odds.

A repeat is difficult in any sport. The added wear from the grind of a long postseason run, coupled with the pressure of attempting to replicate the magic from a championship season, can tax any team, regardless of how talented a squad. Even making consecutive appearances in a championship series is a difficult task, with only the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals having accomplished that task since the calender turned to the year 2000.

While both the Yankees and Rangers were expected to contend the following year, the same is not the case with the Royals. Various projections simply do not know what to make of the team, with the Royals rated anywhere from winning 76 games to being the fourth best team in baseball. Such is the fate of a team whose success is still difficult to quantify statistically.

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Last season, the Kansas City Royals used each projection that showed them sliding back into the pack as fuel for their run through the postseason. Now, the Royals can add the Westgate SuperBook to that list. The sportsbook released their World Series odds yesterday, putting the Royals at 18-1 to make a third consecutive appearance in the Fall Classic. These odds are worse than teams such as the Cleveland Indians, who are at 16-1.

There are certainly questions surrounding the Royals heading into this year. Second base and right field are both unsettled, and the final two spots in the rotation will have question marks attached, regardless of who wins the battles. it is understandable that various sportsbooks would have lower odds on the Royals.

Yet, until proven otherwise, this is still a team that defies expectation. The Royals blend of speed, contact and defense is quite unlike any other team in baseball. While others have come to attempt to replicate their bullpen, there are no other teams who base their offensive approach entirely on speed and contact, with the goal of putting pressure on opposing defenses. This simply sets the Royals up to be a surprise team once again.

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Even if the sportsbooks are not convinced that the Kansas City Royals are a legitimate threat to make the World Series again, the team certainly believes they will get there yet again. For a team that has thrived on proving the experts incorrect, this is just more fuel for the fire.