Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Sep 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners in the tenth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) delivers a pitch against the Seattle Mariners in the tenth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won the game 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Wade Davis continuing to perform at an elite level

Typically when a team loses its closer in the final month of the regular season, the club is in big trouble.

Shutting the door in the ninth inning with the game on the line is one of the most nerve-racking tasks that a pitcher can face. It is not a role that simply any reliever can handle, regardless of their success in the bullpen.

The Kansas City Royals have recently been thrust into this scenario, due to Greg Holland being shut down for the remainder of the year with a right elbow ligament tear. Fortunately for Kansas City, his replacement has been virtually unhittable this season.

As a matter of fact, Holland’s replacement Wade Davis has been significantly better than him this season. Davis has recorded a 0.96 ERA, and is averaging just 4.5 hits allowed per nine innings. Holland, a typically reliable reliever and two-time All-Star, watched his ERA balloon to 3.83 before being shut down last week.

Davis has pitched at an elite level all season long, but it will be interesting to see whether or not he is shaken by the big stage of closing out a game in October. If prior postseason performances are any indicator, however, Royals fans do not have much to worry about.

Davis has recorded a 1.25 ERA during 15 career postseason appearances, averaging an impressive 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

Next: 4. Johnny Cueto returning to his old self

Home/Kansas City Royals