Kings Of Kauffman
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KC Royals: 5 Reasons KC WILL Make The 2016 Playoffs

By John Viril

Oct 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas (left) has champagne dumped on his head as he holds the American League championship trophy in the clubhouse after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in game six of the ALCS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas (left) has champagne dumped on his head as he holds the American League championship trophy in the clubhouse after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in game six of the ALCS at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 29, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) drives in a run with a single against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won 8-5. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) drives in a run with a single against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won 8-5. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

3. The Keep The Line Moving Offense Is Back

In the last two days, the Kansas City Royals have scored eight runs in an inning, three runs in an inning, and five runs in an inning. The long hit barrage rallies are back for the KC Royals, after going AWOL for most of the 2016 season.

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A big part of the problem has been injuries. With Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon missing close to a month apiece, and spotty effectiveness out of the second base position, the KC Royals just haven’t had enough solid bats in the lineup to string together a lot of hits in an inning.

That’s changed in August. Lorenzo Cain and Alex Gordon have both been hot this month. Gordon, in particular, has turned his season around after four lost months. After ending July slashing .202/.313/.335 for the year. In August, Gordon has mashed his way to a .284/.358/.547 line with 7 home runs.

Add in a good month from shortstop Alcides Escobar after Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost dropped him to the no. 8 spot in the order from leadoff. With Escobar hitting a scorching .307/.352/.475 in August, the Royals now have eight effective hitters in the lineup. That’s enough to Keep The Line Moving.

Even Mondesi Contributes

While rookie second baseman Raul Mondesi Jr. is only hitting .191/.232/.298, he at least brings outstanding bunting skills combined with great speed. He can keep rallies going simply by moving base-runners and shows decent pop when he does manage to make contact (1 2B, 3 3B, and 1HR in 94 at bats).

If the KC Royals continue to Keep The Line Moving they’ll find themselves playing in October.

Next: Reason No. 2

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