Fansided

5 reasons the Royals can win the World Series in 2015

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jul 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (center) celebrates a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (center) celebrates a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

The game is over after 6 innings

Everyone around the league knows about the dominant back-end of Kansas City’s bullpen. The Royals showed how much of an advantage having a dominant pitching in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings can be in the postseason, and the same trio is back this again and just as good as ever.

Kelvin Herrera gained national attention last season for his fastball that often registers triple digits on the radar gun. While Herrera doesn’t generate as many strikeouts as you would expect from such a flamethrower, he’s pitching to a strong 2.06 ERA (3.15 FIP) this season.

Wade Davis, who is typically used in the eighth inning, is the best of the trio. After posting a 1.00 ERA a year ago, Davis has a preposterous mark of 0.96 (1.95 FIP) and a strikeout rate of 30.2 percent this season.

At the back end, there’s Greg Holland, who hasn’t been as dominant this season with a 4.04 ERA (3.25 FIP), largely due to an increased walk rate. Still, Holland is striking out over 10 batters per nine innings and has been pitching much better over the past couple of months.

With the ability to shorten the game and the extra off days in the postseason, Kansas City has an advantage over the competition. The Yankees may be able to challenge the Royals with the duo of Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, but Kansas City’s bullpen still has the most dominant trio in baseball.

Next: Defense wins championships

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