Craig Kimbrel joins rare history as Royals extend winning streak

Craig Kimbrel. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Craig Kimbrel joins rare history as Royals extend winning streak

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 22, 2026 10:05 PM ET

Despite being 17 games under .500, the Kansas City Royals are somehow still alive in the hunt for the third and final wild-card spot in the American League.

Kansas City won its seventh straight game on Saturday, and reliever Craig Kimbrel locked down the save to join an exclusive list in MLB history.

Craig Kimbrel recorded a save for his ninth team

Kimbrel's save on Saturday was his first since July of 2024 and was the ninth different franchise he's collected a save for. He's just the fourth player in major league history to accomplish the feat, joining Goose Gossage, Octavio Dotel and Fernando Rodney.

It was the 441st save of Kimbrel's career, the fifth most of all-time and second among active pitchers, trailing only Kenley Jansen (490).

Craig Kimbrel records his first save since July of 2024

The @Royals have won 7 straight games! pic.twitter.com/ipKwnOKT3r
— MLB (@MLB) August 23, 2026

Somehow, Kansas City is still alive in the playoff hunt

A team with a record of 57-74 in late August should not be anywhere remotely close to a playoff spot, but somehow, with the wackiness of the American League, the Royals are in the mix.

At worst, with results from around the league still pending on Saturday, Kansas City will enter Sunday 7 1/2 games out of the final wild-card spot.

That certainly isn't ground that can be made up over a week, but with 31 games remaining, anything could happen, and the Royals have given themselves at least a chance to make a magical run.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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