Why Royals' playoff push is a mirage

The Kansas City Royals hoped to build off their unexpected postseason berth in 2024. 

Instead, following a 1-0 loss to the New York Yankees on Thursday, the Royals have a 34-35 record and are in fourth place in the AL Central. Despite being a game under .500, the Royals are just 2.5 games out of the final wild-card spot, tied with the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels in the standings.

That record itself is a mirage. The Royals had an impressive run from April 20 to May 9, winning 14 of their 16 games during that stretch. Take away that hot stretch, and they have a 20-33 record for a .377 winning percentage, a mark that puts them closer to the Athletics in the standings.

Kansas City's lineup remains its biggest problem. Royals hitters have produced a .251/.304/.370 batting line entering Friday, with their .673 OPS ranking 26th in the majors. KC is also last in home runs (46) and 28th in runs scored (231). Those numbers would be even worse without star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and a breakout campaign from third baseman Maikel Garcia.

Those offensive woes have led the Royals to waste what has been one of the best pitching staffs in the majors. Their pitchers have a collective 3.40 ERA and a 1.210 WHIP while ranking seventh in the majors with 8.7 fWAR. 

No matter how hard the Royals may try, it is impossible to win games 0-0. If Kansas City can become even slightly below average offensively, it may be enough to secure a playoff spot. Otherwise, the Royals will continue to slide down the standings, getting closer to the Chicago White Sox and A's instead of contending for a playoff berth.