Sportsnation poll shows America rooting for Royals

Almost all of America is rooting for the Kansas City Royals to get to the playoffs rather than the Detroit Tigers, according to a Sportsnation poll that asks which is better for baseball. Maybe not all of America, however. There is one small mitten shaped corner of America that still believes that the Tigers going deep in the playoffs is better for baseball.

Bias? Maybe.

The poll that shows 33,016 votes so far says that 78% of Americans think the Royals’ potential first playoff appearance since 1985 is better for baseball rather than the Tigers going deep. As you can see, the entire map shows blue except Michigan which shows red. However, only 78% of Michiganders answering the poll say that Detroit going deep in the playoffs would be better for baseball while 97% of Kansas responders say the Royals in the playoffs would be better.

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It’s been 29 years since the Royals have seen the playoffs and won their first and only World Series. Since then, they’ve only had eight winning seasons their first one in ten years coming last season when they finished 86-76 but still in third place in the AL Central.

The Royals have surged in 2014 in special thanks to a solid starting rotation featuring James Shields and a dangerous bullpen led by Greg Holland.

The Royals won eight straight before taking a loss to Oakland on Tuesday. They still have six meetings left with Detroit and a month and a half of baseball to try and keep their AL Central lead.