KC Royals locked in 3-way race for AL Central: ‘We’re here to compete, battle’

The Kansas City Royals took a step forward this week … and it was a pretty big one.

Amid a difficult 20-game stretch, the Royals have the unenviable task of playing multiple first-place teams. Last weekend, KC dropped two of three games against the Philadelphia Phillies, who lead the National League East.

Those losses pushed the Royals farther behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central race. KC sat three games back entering Monday’s doubleheader, the kickoff to a critical four-game series against the Guardians at Progressive Field.

It was time for the Royals to strike. To that point in the season, they hadn’t played a more important series.

The Royals handled their business, taking three of four from the Guardians to clinch the teams’ season series. The Royals now own the head-to-head tiebreaker that could come into play down the stretch.

The Royals also surged into first place in the AL Central, even if just for one day. They hadn’t sat atop the division since April 13.

Now, after Wednesday’s series-ending loss, they’re one game behind and the divisional race has become an all-out sprint.

“That’s our goal,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of winning the AL Central. “That was our goal from the day we stepped in the clubhouse in Surprise (Arizona). And these guys have never let that waver. You know, the Guardians have been clearly out front most of the year.”

The goal remains the same, even as the pendulum seems to have turned in Kansas City’s favor a bit. The stage is set for the regular season’s last 28 games, and the Royals appear to be in the fast lane toward an exciting finish.

Race for first

The Royals have preached a “Today” mentality since Quatraro took over ahead of last season. The slogan simply means to focus solely on the present.

Multiple T-shirts display the message. And the Royals will need to heed their own advice — even more so than normal — over the next few weeks.

Winning the AL Central will not be easy.

The Royals begin a four-game series against the Houston Astros on Thursday. The Astros lead the AL West, ahead of the Seattle Mariners. Then, KC returns home to play host to the Cleveland Guardians (Sept. 2-4) and Minnesota Twins (Sept. 6-8).

Next comes a trip to Yankee Stadium to play the New York Yankees (Sept 8-10).

This critical stretch will test the Royals in a variety of ways. Houston has elite starting pitching. Cleveland wants retribution. Minnesota has had KC’s number all season. And New York looks to boast a modern version of the “Bronx Bombers.”

“You know, we’ve got a good team,” Quatraro said. “It’s going to be back and forth. Games are going to swing back and forth. We are going to win some late and probably lose some late. It’s the nature of this game when you are playing good teams, but I like our chances.”

It’s one thing to chase first place in the AL Central. Regaining the premier spot will be a different story.

“We’re here to compete and we are here to battle,” Royals outfielder MJ Melendez said. “You know, every team that has to face us will have a challenge in front of them and a tough one at that. So, we are not backing down from any single challenge or any team.”

Melendez has the right mindset. The Royals will be tested as the pennant race unfolds in the division.

The AL Central can and will change a lot in the next few weeks. The Royals know they must play sound baseball in order to have a chance of achieving their divisional goals.

They did that against the Guardians this week but now must carry that momentum forward.

Injuries could play a role

In order for the Royals to win the division, they will need help from every player on their active roster.

Avoiding long-term injuries, at least for the most part, helped the club enter the playoff picture. But the Royals have taken a few hits lately. Veteran relievers Hunter Harvey and Will Smith remain sidelined with back injuries and newly acquired starter Michael Lorenzen went on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a left-hamstring strain.

So the Royals will continue to rely on their depth through choppy waters. KC recalled southpaw Daniel Lynch IV and right-hander Carlos Hernandez to pitch in the bullpen. Both were solid against the Guardians.

Hernandez stepped up in emergency relief after Lorenzen departed Tuesday’s game early. Lynch threw three innings and earned a save Monday night.

Both players will be counted on to fill a key bullpen role. They will need to get critical outs as the Royals contend for the AL Central lead.

Lynch is a starter by trade. But he has made four appearances out of the bullpen this season and could earn a valued role by providing multiple innings of relief.

“I’m just excited to be here and get an opportunity to try to help us win,” he said.

The Royals have done a similar thing with fellow starter Kris Bubic. He earned a high-leverage role for his ability to get left-handers out.

KC could also turn to starter Alec Marsh to replace Lorenzen. He began the season as the fifth starter in the rotation. He has a 4.67 ERA in 21 starts and allowed two earned runs in his spot start during Monday’s doubleheader against the Guardians.

Injuries are never a good sign late in the season, but the Royals have depth to cover for a short span.

“It’s really cool to have depth,” Royals pitching coach Brian Sweeney said. “It’s great to have guys that can be called up and pass the baton to.”

September will tell the story

For many, October baseball is the most thrilling scene in the game. Electricity and raw emotion hang on every pitch.

September tends to get a bit overlooked. Teams are either gearing up for a playoff run or looking to get a jump on the next year.

The Royals will fall in the former category for the first time in nearly eight seasons.

“Every game matters,” second baseman Michael Massey said.

Every move will also be scrutinized down the stretch. The Royals will add one more pitcher and another position player on Sept. 1, when MLB rules allow active rosters to expand. That flexibility will enable Quatraro to mix and match depending on the series.

Execution will be important. A bad week could have major ramifications regarding playoff seeding and possibly much more.

“Just trying to take care of the little things and come to the park, whether you are playing Cleveland or Houston or a National League team,” Massey said. “Do the little things right and be ready to go every day.”

Teams want to play their best baseball in September. Doing so can generate momentum and a postseason boost. The Royals have a chance to be one of those teams with meaning baseball in their future.

“I think we have done a good job all season,” said starting pitcher Michael Wacha said, “focusing on the game we play today and not thinking out ahead and getting ahead of ourselves.

“I think the best way to approach it is focusing on the present. I think things will take care of themselves if we have that kind of mindset.”

While the Royals have their eyes on an AL Central crown, they are als in an enviable position in the AL Wild Card picture: KC is currently fifth, a few games ahead of the Twins.

ESPN gives the Royals a 91.9% chance to make the Major League Baseball playoffs, so the numbers are in Kansas City’s favor. The Royals just need to back it up on the field.