Kansas City Royals: Fourth Postseason Picture Update

Just Playing Spoiler

“I’m just here, so I don’t get fined.” It’s one of Marshawn Lynch’s better postgame media quotes ever. But it, thankfully, doesn’t apply to many of the players on these next three teams.

Since we’ve done these weekly postseason update articles on KoK, the trio of the White Sox, Tigers and Athletics have been rooted to the bottom of the standings. (Although, Oakland did pass up Detroit this week.) That hasn’t stopped them from tripping up a few teams along the way.

Things will get a lot more interesting for these three teams when rosters expand in September. The organizations in Chicago and Oakland, in particular, are full of talented minor league players. These teams are playing for the future, and their players are hoping to show they belong on Opening Day rosters in 2018.

Chicago White Sox

Overall record (through Sunday): 52-77

Last week: 5-3

This week: Off Monday, at Minnesota Twins (Tue.-Thu.); vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Fri.-Sun.)

The Kansas City Royals—and every other team in the Wild Card race—owe the White Sox a huge debt of gratitude for taking three out of five games against Minnesota earlier this week.

That showing in an elongated home series shows the talent already on the White Sox. Chicago’s most impressive win of the series came on Wednesday. Facing a 3-1 deficit, the White Sox scored single runs in the sixth, eighth and ninth innings for the walk-off win.

Chicago has a chance to do the Kansas City Royals a few more favors this week. The White Sox have three more games against the Twins and three against the Rays, following Monday’s well-earned day off.

Detroit Tigers

Overall record (through Sunday): 56-73

Last week: 2-4

This week: At Colorado Rockies (Mon.-Wed.); off Thursday; vs. Cleveland (Fri.-Sun., includes doubleheader Friday from June 30 rainout)

A terrible end to the season has been on the cards for a while in Detroit. This week, though, things took an even uglier turn.

On Thursday, an all-out brawl took place between the Tigers and Yankees after Detroit veteran Miguel Cabrera began fighting with New York catcher Austin Romine. The fight-marred game was the only win in the series for the Tigers.

Things could get really ugly for them this week. A Colorado team looking to get going late will try to pour on the runs. That’s followed by four games against Cleveland.

Good luck with that.

Oakland Athletics

Overall record (through Sunday): 58-72

Last week: 4-2

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

One of the most impressive series sweeps of the week—outside of Cleveland—occurred in Oakland over the weekend. The Athletics shut down what had been a high-powered Rangers offense.

The A’s allowed just seven runs total in the series, while themselves scoring eight runs two separate times. Texas had entered the week playing as well as anyone. The Rangers had just taken three of four from the Angels, and that was after going 5-2 last week.

Oakland will once again influence the Wild Card race heavily this week with three games apiece against the Angels and Mariners. Both teams are currently 1.5 games behind the Twins for the last Wild Card spot.