Kansas City Royals: Second Postseason Picture Update

No longer in the hunt

These teams are the only ones we are certain will not threaten for a playoff spot.

At least we think they won’t. … Heck, who knows.

Let’s put it this way: These teams would be the MOST surprising to make the postseason. But the way this season has gone, we shouldn’t be THAT surprised.

Chicago White Sox

Overall record (through Sunday): 45-70

Last week: 4-2

This week: Off Monday; at Los Angeles Dodgers (Tue.-Wed.); at Texas Rangers (Thu.-Sun.)

In a week full of impressive sweeps, the White Sox might have pulled off the most surprising one.

Chicago opened the week with three consecutive home wins over Houston.

The last of the three was Yoan Moncada’s coming out party (aside from the three-run triple he had against the Kansas City Royals). Down 2-1 in the ninth, the near-unanimous top prospect in baseball hit a solo home run off Houston closer Ken Giles. He followed that up with a walk-off single in the 11th.

If four straight wins is a sign of things to come, the struggles they had on Saturday and Sunday against the Kansas City Royals show they still have a long way to go.

Oakland Athletics

Overall record (through Sunday): 52-66

Last week: 2-4

This week: Vs. Kansas City Royals (Mon.-Wed.); off Thursday; at Houston Astros (Fri.-Sun.)

The Kansas City Royals first opponent of the week didn’t do the Boys in Blue many favors this past week.

Up against two of the primary contenders for the second Wild Card spot, Oakland was swept in a two-game set with Seattle and managed just a split with Baltimore.

The A’s main issue has been pitching, especially since the trade deadline when they sold Sonny Gray, Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle.

Their offense is still more than capable of putting up runs. That’s not a good thing for a Kansas City Royals pitching staff that has struggled to put up zeros in recent weeks.

Detroit Tigers

Overall record (through Sunday): 53-64

Last week: 2-5

This week: At Texas Rangers (Mon.-Wed.); off Thursday; vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (Fri.-Sun.)

Detroit pulled off the comeback win of the week in the game of the week against Minnesota. It was one of the Tigers’ two victories over the previous seven days.

On Saturday, Detroit jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning against hot-and-cold starter Jose Berrios. That lead quickly evaporated as the rejuvenated Twins, which had won six straight games, pounded Jordan Zimmermann and his replacements.

Eventually Minnesota took an 11-6 lead into the seventh inning. In that frame, Justin Upton hit a sacrifice fly to score a run, but he wasn’t done.

Following a three-run eighth inning—highlighted by an Ian Kinsler homer—Upton hit a two-run walk-off shot to stun the Twins.

It was virtually the only positive of the week for the Tigers, but what a positive it was.

Clinging to a sliver of hope

While mathematically in the mix, this trio of teams face quite the uphill climb.

In almost any of other year, teams that are 10th through 12th in the American League at this point in the season would never have a prayer of making the playoffs.

But if this article has taught you one thing, it’s that this is not a normal season.

Frankly, there seems to be just too many quality teams ahead of them to truly contend for a postseason bid.

Toronto Blue Jays

Overall record (through Sunday): 56-61

Last week: 4-2

This week: Vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Mon.-Thu.); at Chicago Cubs (Fri.-Sun.)

The Toronto Blue Jays sit four games behind the Angels for the final playoff spot in the American League.

But with six other teams between themselves and the Angels, it would take Josh Donaldson to start hitting like an MVP again to close the gap.

Oh wait, he has. He has seven home runs and 16 RBI since July 27. In that span, Donaldson has also raised his OPS from .803 to .855.

Donaldson’s increased production, though, is not enough to get the Blue Jays into true contention for a third straight postseason berth.

After posting a plus-93 run differential last season, Toronto already has a negative-84 differential this year.

That’s just not going to cut it.

Texas Rangers

Overall record (through Sunday): 56-60

Last week: 3-2

This week: Vs. Detroit Tigers (Mon.-Wed.); vs. Chicago White Sox (Thu.-Sun.)

The Rangers seem to be flirting with getting back to .500 and challenging for a Wild Card bid.

If Texas was ever going to make a real postseason push, this would be the week to pick up ground.

Seven games in seven days await the Rangers, but those seven games come against two of the three worst teams in the American League. While other potential playoff teams are facing each other, Texas could possibly post five or six wins against two teams that have thrown in the towel.

The Rangers are still staring up at several teams, including two in their own division, but in this wide-open race they can’t be discounted.

Just think if they had held on to Yu Darvish. No, I know they did the smart thing—unlike the next team on our list. I’m just saying it would have made things much more interesting.

Baltimore Orioles

Overall record (through Sunday): 58-60

Last week: 3-4

This week: At Seattle Mariners (Mon.-Wed.); off Thursday; vs. Los Angeles Angels (Fri.-Sun.)

A sweep of the Kansas City Royals put Baltimore in contention and made some pundits rethink slamming their decision to buy at the deadline.

At the time, picking up starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, especially after his debut against the Royals, and shortstop Tim Beckham looked astute. The team also kept major bullpen chips Zach Britton and Brad Brach.

Since then, the decisions have not aged well.

The Orioles have yet to win a series since, despite a rather easy schedule. Splits with Detroit and Oakland—the latter on the road—aren’t stellar results. Baltimore has also lost two of three at the Los Angeles Angels, whom the Orioles will host this coming weekend.

Another subpar week might see the Orioles drop further down the pecking order.

In the thick of it

This is where things get really crazy.

A sampling of how insane the fight for the second Wild Card spot has been over the past seven days:

• On Tuesday, the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays were all tied for the position.
• On Friday, the Minnesota Twins held the spot with three teams a half-game back.
• On Saturday, the Los Angeles Angels became the fifth different team—of the week!—to at least be tied for the position.

At some point, a few of these teams will fall off. I mean they would have to, right?

There’s no way there could be five different teams holding the second Wild Card spot in the final week of the season. Or am I just saying that to make myself feel better?

Needless to say (but, again, I’m going to say it), if that’s the case, be ready for these updates daily during that intense week.

Tampa Bay Rays

Overall record (through Sunday): 59-60

Last week: 1-5

This week: At Toronto Blue Jays (Mon.-Thu.); vs. Seattle Mariners (Fri.-Sun.)

To say the past week was a disappointment in Tampa Bay would be a massive understatement.

As recently as Wednesday, the Rays were tied for the second Wild Card slot. Now, they are two games back of the Angels with three teams stacked in between.

Yikes.

But that’s what a 1-5 week will do to you in such a competitive race.

To be fair, Tampa Bay had possibly the hardest schedule of the week. Two games at Boston and four at home against Cleveland—both division leaders—is no easy task.

Still, a truly playoff-caliber team would have scored more than nine total runs in those six games.

Seattle Mariners

Overall record (through Sunday): 59-60

Last week: 2-4

This week: Vs. Baltimore Orioles (Mon.-Wed.); off Thursday; at Tampa Bay Rays (Fri.-Sun.)

Seattle might hold the key to how several teams rank come next Monday.

Aside from, obviously, holding their own fate in their hands, the Mariners will go a long way in determining the fate of the Orioles and Rays—whom they each play thrice this week.

Just ask the Angels.

After two wins in Oakland, Seattle returned home and promptly lost four straight games to Los Angeles. That sweep means the Angels would be in the playoffs if the season had ended on Sunday.

Where will Seattle be when we do the next update? Who knows, that’s the fun?

Kansas City Royals

Overall record (through Sunday): 59-58

Last week: 2-5

This week: At Oakland Athletics (Mon.-Wed.); off Thursday; vs. Cleveland (Fri.-Sun.)

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The trade with San Diego hasn’t worked out the way many thought it would, but bringing Melky Cabrera back sure has paid off.

His third home run since rejoining the Kansas City Royals gave his team a 5-4 win on Saturday night to snap a five-game skid. The team followed up that narrow victory with a venting of frustration in the form of a 14-6 beating on Sunday.

Those wins should not cover up the fact that this was a terrible week for the Kansas City Royals.

A fatigued bullpen couldn’t hold a lead for anything and a comeback cat (seriously nobody thought that was catchier than rally cat?) ruined a perfectly good game.

The hope is that a series win over the White Sox will carry some momentum into a three-game set with the A’s. However, it’s this weekend’s pivotal home series against Cleveland that most people will be looking forward to.

Minnesota Twins

Overall record (through Sunday): 59-57

Last week: 6-1

This week: Off Monday; vs. Cleveland (Tue.-Thu.); vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (Fri.-Sun.)

What a week it has been for the Twins.

If it wasn’t for a complete collapse on Saturday, Minnesota would have had a perfect week and the second Wild Card spot at this point.

Instead the Twins will have to settle for a 6-1 mark—tied with the Angels for the best mark in the American League this week.

Still a pretty stellar week for a team that was 3.5 games behind the Kansas City Royals when our previous postseason update was posted.

The question will be if the Twins can replicate their performance in the coming days against two almost certain playoff teams in Cleveland and Arizona.

AL second wild card spot

Los Angeles Angels

Overall record (through Sunday): 61-58

Last week: 6-1

This week: Off Monday; at Washington Nationals (Tue.-Wed.); off Thursday; at Baltimore Orioles (Fri.-Sun.)

On the backs of six straight wins—the longest winning run in the majors at the moment—the Angels have moved into the final postseason position just ahead of the Twins.

The week was set up to be a make-or-break one for Los Angeles’ second-best team with three games against Baltimore and four against Seattle.

After taking the final two games of their home series with the Orioles, the Angels went on the road and stunningly swept the Mariners.

A trip to the East Coast (along with two days off) awaits this week.

Mike Trout (.345 BA, 23 HRs and 55 RBI) makes any team a threat to win on a given night. But the difference this past week has been the help he has received from his teammates.

It’s hard to believe the Angels’ pitching will hold up enough for them to finish in this spot come October 1 (the end of the regular season). But with the way the year has gone, I wouldn’t bet against it either.

AL first wild card spot

New York Yankees

Overall record (through Sunday): 61-55

Last week: 2-4

This week: Vs. New York Mets (Mon.-Tue.); at New York Mets (Wed.-Thu.); at Boston Red Sox (Fri.-Sun.)

The Yankees have been far from perfect over the past several weeks, but to stay in this position they haven’t had to be.

While Boston has slowly pulled away in the East Division, chaos in the Wild Card standings has allowed New York to maintain a fairly consistent lead over whichever team is occupying the second spot that day.

That being said, the Yankees need to vastly improve if they expect to make the playoffs—let alone have home-field advantage in the Wild Card game.

There are a lot of teams lurking behind. If a couple—perhaps the Twins and Angels?—stay hot, the Yankees could be in some trouble.

This team seemed to be well-constructed at the trade deadline, but Aaron Judge returning to human form and injuries to the rotation have hampered a once-promising squad.

Seven games against rivals are next on the docket, so we’ll just have to wait and see how this team reacts—particularly with five games in enemy territory.

AL Central leader

Cleveland

Overall record (through Sunday): 63-52

Last week: 4-2

This week: At Boston Red Sox (Mon., makeup game); at Minnesota Twins (Tue.-Thu.); at Kansas City Royals (Fri.-Sun.)

Pitching was the key for Cleveland this past week.

Over the course of six games, including two against the high-powered Colorado Rockies, Cleveland’s pitching staff gave up 11 runs. That includes two shutouts and a high of four runs.

The offense failed to score more than five runs in any individual game. So without those incredible performances on the mound, it’s difficult to imagine the team posting a winning mark over the past week.

The turning point for Cleveland’s season may have come in the form of a Wednesday night trade for outfielder Jay Bruce.

The former New York Met made his debut as a pinch-hitter in Thursday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. He started the next three games and helped the team to three wins.

Coincidence? Probably. But Bruce performed outstanding over the weekend:

• Friday — 2 for 4 with a run
• Saturday — 2 for 4 with two RBI
• Sunday — 1 for 3 with a walk, run and RBI

With a potentially tricky week ahead, Cleveland will need more than just Bruce producing to post another winning week.

AL East leader

Boston Red Sox

Overall record (through Sunday): 67-50

Last week: 4-1

This week: Vs. Cleveland (Mon., makeup game); vs. St. Louis Cardinals (Tue.-Wed.); off Thursday; vs. New York Yankees (Fri.-Sun.)

Boston has enjoyed an amazing two-week run with its only loss coming against New York on Friday night.

The Red Sox (and their fans) will feel a lot better after Sunday’s rally gave it a series win over the Yankees.

Rookie Rafael Devers (who I not-so-brilliantly dropped from my fantasy team this week) homered off Aroldis Chapman to send the game to extra innings. Andrew Benintendi capped the come-from-behind win with a bases-loaded single in the 10th inning.

It’s looking more and more like there will be a rematch of last season’s American League Division Series between Boston and Cleveland.

Although the Red Sox have possibly set their sights on challenging the Astros for home-field advantage, they are not guaranteed an East Division title just yet.

They have a 5.5-game lead over the Yankees, but the longtime rivals play seven more games the rest of the way.

Stranger things have happened.

AL West leader

Houston Astros

Overall record (through Sunday): 72-45

Last week: 1-5

This week: At Arizona Diamondbacks (Mon.-Tue); vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (Wed.-Thu.); vs. Oakland Athletics (Fri.-Sun.)

Is it time to panic in Houston?

Well, that depends.

This team still has a commanding lead in the West Division. It’s grasp on home-field advantage through the ALCS is less secure than it once was, but the Astros are still in the driver’s seat.

The problem is that this team just doesn’t look like a World Series contender right now. Emphasis on the “right now” part.

A solid, if unspectacular, performance from Dallas Keuchel on Sunday gives Houston hope its ace is rounding in to form.

George Springer has returned from his injury, but Carlos Correa remains out.

Bottom line, though, is the Astros stayed pat at the trade deadline when they could have solidified themselves as the AL’s best chance to win the World Series.

Although the team acquired relief pitcher Tyler Clippard from the White Sox on Sunday night, the deadline decision-making is appearing costly at this juncture.

Next: A New Level of Panic

We’ll have to wait and see if it leads to an early postseason exit.