Kansas City Royals: Second Postseason Picture Update

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.