Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Before you know it the month of August will have passed away and the month of September will be upon Major League Baseball. As the stretch run continues, a few teams that once seemed out of the race for the post season now appear to have a chance. One of those teams is the Kansas City Royals. Their inconsistency over the course of the season has cost them dearly but now they have gotten things working very well. Even though they have played so well, they still do not have what it would take to run down the Detroit Tigers.
Since the start of July the Royals are a very respectable 23 – 13. A team that plays at ten games over .500 might usually be able to see a big change in the standings. The Royals made some sweeping offensive changes and kept their pitching staff strong. Their moves around the trade deadline did nothing but help them and they just won three of four from the Boston Red Sox. Goodness, that team has to have gained some ground in the standings, right? Nope.
Actually even though the Royals have played that well, they have still lost three games to the Tigers in the American League Central division race. By way of comparison they have gained nearly three games in the wildcard race. They should be very thankful that there is a wildcard race, and two of them as a matter of fact; two spots that is. For this team, though greatly improved, it will have to be wildcard or bust. Baring a complete collapse on the Tigers’ part, the Royals will not catch them.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
