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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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Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; (Editors note: Caption correction) Kansas City Royals pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; (Editors note: Caption correction) Kansas City Royals pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Johnny Cueto returning to his old self

Having an ace on the pitching staff is crucial to a team’s postseason success.

Having a pitcher that can take over a game on the mound on any given night has incredible value. Even more so in the playoffs, when one run allowed could be the difference between advancing and going home.

For the Kansas City Royals, Johnny Cueto is supposed to be that guy. It is what the Royals expected when they traded away three young arms, including 2014 first-round pick Brandon Finnegan, to land the 29-year old righty.

Cueto started off the season in outstanding fashion. By the time the Cincinnati Reds had dealt him at the trade deadline, he was on the fringe of the Cy Young Award discussion and on pace for his fifth consecutive season with a sub-3.00 ERA.

But since arriving in Kansas City, Cueto has fallen tremendously short of lofty expectations.

He has given up more runs and hits in 12 starts with the Royals than he did in 19 this season for the Reds. His 4.95 ERA since joining Kansas City is among the worst in baseball during this stretch, and aside from two back-to-back outings in mid-August, he has given up at least two earned runs in every outing.

Just three weeks ago, Cueto found himself in the middle of a five-game stretch in which he allowed at least four earned runs in no more than six innings pitched. These constant struggles from a player who is supposed to be the anchor of their pitching has undoubtedly cast doubt over the Royals’ playoff outlook, especially with the postseason just weeks away.

Cueto has improved as of late, giving up just eight runs over the course of his past three outings. But if Kansas City is going to make another World Series run in 2015, their supposed ace is going to need to step up his performance significantly.

Next: 5. Hitting for power

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