How Royals stacked up against American League playoff contenders this season

The Kansas City Royals are in a good position heading toward the playoffs.

The Royals are firmly in second place in the American League Wild Card race; three will make the cut for the postseason. Meanwhile, the club is just 4 ½ games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the AL Central divisional crown.

Both avenues offer viable playoff scenarios. The Royals have an outside shot to win the AL Central and host a home playoff series at Kauffman Stadium. KC also owns the regular-season series tiebreaker against the Guardians.

The AL Wild Card is the likely destination with 15 games remaining. KC is 1 ½ games ahead of the Minnesota Twins for the second wild-card spot.

Should the Royals retain their position, they will face either the New York Yankees or Baltimore Orioles in a three-game road series.

If the Royals fall to the third Wild Card spot, they will likely face the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Conversely, the Royals could also catch the Orioles or Yankees for the first Wild Card spot. This scenario would guarantee a home three-game series. The Orioles are up three games on the Royals.

The Yankees have a 1 ½ game lead over the Orioles in the AL East race. So that race will be worth watching down the stretch.

How have the Royals fared against potential AL playoff teams? Here is a look at the head-to-head matchups this season.

AL Wild Card contenders

Seattle Mariners (Royals went 3-3)

The Royals split with the Seattle Mariners this season. Both teams have similar styles that rely on starting pitching. Seattle has a slim chance to surge in the AL Wild Card race. Additionally, the club has an outside shot to catch the Astros in the AL West.

The Mariners already fired manager Scott Servais earlier this season But they are playing inspired baseball in recent weeks.

KC took two of three games against the Mariners from June 6-9 at Kauffman Stadium.

Boston Red Sox (Royals went 2-4)

The Boston Red Sox took the season series against the Royals. The teams combined to score 58 runs (30-28, Red Sox) throughout the six games. However, the Red Sox matched up well against the Royals pitching.

Boston was able to string together consistent hits. The offense consists of stars Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran that gave the Royals trouble. Duran hit .296 with eight hits in 27 at-bats against the Royals.

The Red Sox are likely the biggest challengers to a Wild Card spot. They have upcoming three games (Sept. 20-22) against the Twins, which could have major playoff implications.

Detroit Tigers (Royals have gone 7-3)

The Royals are very familiar with the Detroit Tigers.

The AL Central rivals have played 10 games and have one series left next week (Sept. 16-18) at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals have won six of the last seven against the Tigers and picked up a key series victory in August.

However, the Tigers have surged forward since that series. Detroit sits three games behind the Twins for the final Wild Card spot. In their last 10 games, the Tigers have won seven games and now sit at 75-71 this season.

The Royals already own the regular-season tiebreaker. They will get a chance to solidify their Wild Card standing with one more series victory against the Tigers.

Minnesota Twins (Royals went 6-7)

The Royals have won four consecutive games against the Twins. Last weekend, KC outscored Minnesota 11-2 and earned two shutout victories.

The three-game sweep was important. The Royals proved they could defeat the Twins in a pivotal series. It was one of the last frontiers the club faced this season.

Now, the Royals will be watching the Twins down the stretch. KC has a slim lead for the second Wild Card spot.

The Twins have a huge week ahead with four games against the Guardians and three against the Red Sox from Sept. 16-22.

Baltimore Orioles (Royals went 2-4)

It’s been a while since the Royals have seen the Baltimore Orioles. Both teams played six games in April and went their separate ways.

But the clubs are very similar. Fans were treated to great pitching throughout all six games and the Royals had a chance to win every night.

Bullpen issues cost the Royals at Camden Yards. KC has revamped its bullpen since the last matchup with the additions of Lucas Erceg, Sam Long, Kris Bubic and Daniel Lynch IV to the pitching staff.

The Orioles are one of the top teams in the majors. They are 40-39 against teams with a record greater than .500.

Houston Astros: AL West Leader

Season series: Royals went 3-4

The Astros have a dangerous pitching staff. The quartet of Framer Valdez, Cristian Javier, Ronel Blanco and Yusei Kikuchi are a tough matchup. Not to mention, the Astros also have future MLB Hall of Famer Justin Verlander.

Pitching is very important in the playoffs. The Royals ran into the Astros staff at full strength in August and were swept out of town in the midst of a seven-game losing streak.

KC can match up with the pitching. Still, the offense will need timely hits if both teams face each other in the playoffs.

Cleveland Guardians: AL Central Leader

Season Series: Royals went 8-5

The Royals bested the Guardians this season. KC took one of the biggest series this year with three wins in August at Progressive Field. The series saw the Royals vault briefly into a first-place tie in the AL Central.

The Guardians extended the gap with two of three wins last week. There are 4 ½ games separating the rivals with 15 games left in the regular season.

Both teams know each other well. The Royals found success against the Guardians pitching staff and that could prove impactful should they match up in the playoffs.

For now, it will be a waiting game. The Guardians have four home games remaining against the Twins next week. Cleveland closes the regular season with the Astros in a three-game home series.

And the Royals will be keeping a close watch on the matchups.

New York Yankees: AL East Leader

Season Series: Royals went 2-5

Royals starter Seth Lugo left a lasting impression on Tuesday against the Yankees. He propelled the club to a 5-0 victory at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees have a prolific offense and the shutout was impressive. And the Royals can match up with the Bronx Bombers in multiple areas, not to mention several storylines between both squads.

Bobby Witt Jr. and Aaron Judge are battling for the AL MVP, and the Royals might have the better pitching staff. The contrast of styles and a national stage could make a potential playoff matchup worth a prime-time slate.

The Royals proved they can beat the Yankees. If they match up in the postseason, they will need to showcase it when the games matter the most.

On Wednesday, the Yankees picked up a series victory. However, the Royals competed and showed they will be a tough out if both teams meet again.