KC Royals tiebreaking scenarios: Which teams does Kansas City hold the advantage over?

Things have changed since the KC Royals last made a postseason appearance, with one of the biggest being the expansion of the playoff field from 10 teams to 12. Now, the top three division winners and three Wild Card teams from both the AL and NL make the cut. Whether you’re a fan of the change or not, the Royals are certainly benefiting from it this year.

The KC Royals have mixed results relating to MLB playoffs tiebreakers

That change came with a procedural cost. The thrilling "Game 163" tiebreaker is now a thing of the past, replaced by the expanded playoff field. Instead, several tie-breaking criteria are now used to determine the final MLB playoff teams.

A scenario where the Royals need a tiebreaker may seem improbable, but it’s better to have them than not. Tiebreakers can determine the final Wild Card spot, postseason seeding, and even the division winner. While there are five factors used to settle a tiebreaker, the first usually resolves it.

The simplest way to break a tie is by reviewing the season series between the teams. If Team A and Team B finish tied for first place in the division and Team A wins the series 11-7, Team A is declared the division winner. The same rule applies if the Royals are in a Wild Card race.

Let’s break down each team in the AL postseason picture and see which teams Kansas City holds this unique edge over, and which ones they don’t.