Fansided

MLB: Kris Bryant and the Top 5 stories of the season so far

By Ryan Phillips

Apr 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) hits a RBI double during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) hits a RBI double during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) singles against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) singles against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

The Royals Are Ruling Again

It’s early, but the Kansas City Royals are proving that they won’t be a one-hit wonder. The defending American League champions, who came within one game of a World Series title, have opened the 2015 season on fire.

They are 11-3, and tied with the Detroit Tigers for first place in the American League Central.

The Royals lead MLB batting average (.31o), on-base percentage (.373), are second in runs (81), hits (150) and in OPS (.844). Through 12 games, Lorenzo Cain is hitting .380, is tied for the team lead with 12 RBI and boasts an OPS of 1.067. He’s also continuing to prove that he might be baseball’s best outfielder.

The Royals are also getting things done on the mound. They rank seventh in baseball with a 3.27 ERA and fifth in batting average against (.225). The Edinson Volquez Reclamation Project (which is also the name of my progressive rock cover band) has continued this year with a lot of success. The 31-year-old starter is 2-1 with a 1.99 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP in 22.2 innings so far this season.

If he continues to have a breakout season, the loss of James Shields to the Padres won’t sting as much as many thought it would.

With an early season fracas with the Oakland A’s behind them, the Royals look like a strong, closely-knit team poised to make another run to the playoffs.

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