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5 keys for the Kansas City Royals this postseason

By Josh Criswell

Sep 24, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals players celebrate after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 10-4 and won the American League central division. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals players celebrate after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 10-4 and won the American League central division. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 20, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez (36) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Edinson Volquez (36) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Reliability in the starting rotation

At first glance, the Kansas City Royals appear to have a reliable pitching staff. They rank 11th in the MLB in ERA, and are allowing a respectable .250 batting average against.

These numbers are skewed, however, by having the American League’s best bullpen. Opponents are hitting just .214 against Kansas City relievers, and the unit as a whole has recorded a 2.74 ERA.

Unfortunately, the starting rotation has not been so dominant. Royals starters rank in the bottom third of the MLB in virtually every major statistical category, and have the worst ERA among all teams still in the playoff race. Their .271 batting average against is tied with the Texas Rangers for the worst among playoff teams, and their 638 strikeouts ranks second-to-last.

That is not to say the Royals cannot turn things around for the postseason, though.

Their starting rotation has the makeup of a unit that is built for success. Johnny Cueto has proven himself to be an ace throughout his eight-year MLB career. Chris Young, Danny Duffy and Edison Volquez are capable off being successful middle-of-the-rotation guys, and Yordano Ventura is a young pitcher with an abundance of potential.

Kansas City has the talent in their starting rotation to make a deep playoff run. It is all a matter of the starters playing up to their abilities.

Next: 2. Lorenzo Cain performing like an MVP

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