Week in Review: Are the Royals Back in the Postseason Hunt?

 Week in a Nutshell 

After taking two of three in Anaheim last weekend, the Royals returned to Kauffman Stadium for their final homestand of August. And what a homestand it was.

The Royals won every game on this homestand and outscored the A's and Tigers by a combined 23 runs. They extended their winning streak to eight games, the longest win streak of the season and their longest win streak since May of 2025. As a result of this hot stretch, the Royals have suddenly thrust themselves back into the "longshot postseason" picture, though the odds remain heavily stacked against them (0.1% playoff odds, according to Fangraphs).

Furthermore, after this week, the Royals clinched season series matchups against the A's (5-2) and Tigers (7-6). Even though Kansas City still remains in last place in the AL Central, they are setting themselves up for a strong September that could not just help them escape the division cellar, but perhaps build some much-needed momentum for 2027. 

Record this Week: 7-0

Run Differential for the Week: +23

Record for the Year: 58-74

Run Differential for the Year: -91

Standing: 5th in the AL Central

One Sentence Game Summaries

Game 126: KC 9, ATH 5

• The full-strength Royals take it to former Royals prospect Mason Barnett in a four-run victory. 

Game 127: KC 4, ATH 3

• The Royals score three in the ninth and complete a ninth-inning comeback, with Witt's base hit being the winner. 

Game 128: KC 9, ATH 7

• Vinnie has three hits, and Kansas City scores seven runs in the eighth to help the Royals clinch the series against the Athletics. 

Game 129: KC 6, ATH 2

• Garcia hurts his hamstring, but the Royals rally and complete the sweep against the Athletics on Thursday afternoon.

Game 130: KC 5, DET 2

• Royals fans keep the faith on Faith Night, with Cameron winning his eighth game and Isbel and Jensen going yard in Friday's win.

Game 131: KC 3, DET 1

• Wacha tames Tigers once again, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out six in seven innings of work. 

Game 132: KC 11, DET 7

• Pitching stumbles a bit, but the Kansas City offense picks them up, scoring 11 runs on 12 hits, including home runs from Loftin and Rave. 

News and Notes

The Royals got much-needed returns from Maikel Garcia and Vinnie Pasquantino, as they were activated off the 10-Day IL on August 17th. To make room on the roster, Kansas City designated veteran outfielder Starling Marte for assignment. 

Marte failed to produce in his limited stint in Kansas City. In 59 games and 168 plate appearances, the 37-year-old hit .242 with a 71 wRC+ and posted a -0.5 fWAR. No move has been announced officially on Marte, but it's unlikely that he remains in the Royals organization. 

Garcia returned from the IL and got off to a good start in the Athletics series. In 15 at-bats, he hit .400 with a 1.000 OPS. However, on Thursday, he hurt his hamstring while rounding third on a Salvador Perez single, and he was promptly put on the IL before the Tigers series. 

The Royals also made some moves with their bullpen this week.

Before the Athletics series, the Royals promoted Connor Thomas and optioned Jose Cuas to Omaha. The left-handed Thomas was formerly in the A's organization and was claimed by the Royals on August 4th. In three appearances and three innings of work this week, Thomas allowed no runs, only two hits, one walk, and struck out three.

On the flip side, Kansas City also optioned struggling reliever Lucas Erceg to Omaha after struggling on Monday, August 17th against the Athletics. Erceg posted a 6.23 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 43.1 IP with the Royals this season. In his place, the Royals promoted Carlos Duran, who was acquired at the Trade Deadline from the Dodgers for Kris Bubic.

Duran's stint with the Royals was short-lived. On Tuesday, he produced a scoreless inning with one strikeout and earned his first career MLB victory. On Thursday, however, he allowed two runs on two hits and three walks in just 0.1 IP. He was optioned to Omaha following the rough outing, and Cuas returned to Kansas City to pitch in his place.

Lastly, with Garcia going on the IL on August 21st, Matthew Lugo was called up from Omaha. Lugo was hitting .271 with a 110 wRC+ in 226 plate appearances with the Storm Chasers. He also hit 11 home runs and drove in 36 runs. The former Angel has yet to make his Royals debut this season. 

Highlights

On the hitting end, Pasquantino had a stellar return to the Royals after missing time due to a hamate injury.

In 26 at-bats, the Pasquatch hit .385 with a 1.217 OPS and two home runs. Not only did Pasquantino have 10 hits, four doubles, and five RBI, but he also walked three times and didn't strike out once. He looked totally locked in at the plate, something the Royals have been missing from him this season, especially when he was on the IL.

Kyle Isbel also had a homestand to remember, which was nice to see after he missed time on the IL due to plantar fasciitis. Isbel hit .333 with a 1.031 OPS, two home runs, and eight RBI. The Royals center fielder hit home runs on back-to-back nights on Friday and Saturday against the Tigers. 

The Royals haven't gotten much from Isbel offensively this year, as he was hitting .229 with a .611 OPS before the weekend series against Detroit. His average is now up to .241, and his OPS is up to .658. Having a strong-hitting Isbel at the bottom of the lineup only strengthens the Royals' offense going forward. 

As usual, Bobby Witt Jr. had another banner week for Kansas City. In 27 at-bats, he hit .370 with a 1.115 OPS and two home runs. He also had five RBI, five walks, three stolen bases, and a game-winning hit. He not only looks healthy again, but is once again making a push for AL MVP consideration.

On the pitching end, Wacha had a mediocre outing against the Athletics, giving up four runs on six hits (including three home runs). However, he was masterful on Saturday against the Tigers, limiting Detroit to just one run in seven innings. Wacha didn't have his best stuff, but he capitalized on his defense and worked quickly and efficiently in a game that took two hours and 11 minutes.

If the Royals are looking to make any kind of push in September to challenge for a postseason spot, they will need Wacha to produce as he did against the Tigers rather than the Athletics. 

Noah Cameron only made one start, and it wasn't a quality one, as he only went five innings (most likely to conserve him after he threw 115 pitches in his complete-game shutout on Sunday against the Angels). However, he earned the victory in his Friday-night outing, limiting the Tigers to no runs on two hits and two walks while striking out three.

On the bullpen end of things, Steven Cruz and Nate Pearson are proving that they can be key contributors to the 2027 bullpen with each and every outing. This week, Cruz posted a 4.15 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in four appearances and 4.1 IP. He also struck out three batters, only walked one, and earned a save. As for Pearson, he didn't allow a run in four appearances (4.0 IP) and struck out two while walking two. Like Cruz, Pearson earned a save in his only save appearance this week.

An underrated story was Craig Kimbrel earning a save on Saturday night against the Tigers, his first save since 2024.

Kimbrel struck out three batters this week in three appearances and didn't allow a single run. He's proving to be a nice contributor to the Royals bullpen, even with the club's unlikely playoff chances. 

Lowlights

It's been a nightmare season for Erceg, and Monday was more fuel to the fire.

In his lone outing this week, he allowed one run on one hit and two walks and didn't record a single out. I wrote this week that the Royals need to decide what to do with Erceg long term, which could force some tough short-term decisions with the 31-year-old reliever. 

Erceg wasn't the lone Royals veteran to struggle this week. Seth Lugo had a rough start against the Athletics, and he continues to trend in the wrong direction as the 2026 season comes to a close.

Even though the Royals offense picked him up, Lugo gave up five runs on nine hits in six innings of work. Lugo's stuff wasn't there against the Athletics. He not only struggled to generate chases and whiffs against a depleted A's lineup, but also gave up a lot of hard contact, according to his TJ Stuff+ summary.

While Lugo has been able to eat innings this year, the quality hasn't been there. His 4.71 ERA this year is 0.56 points higher than a year ago and 1.71 points higher than his AL Cy Young runner-up campaign in 2024. After signing an extension last season after the Trade Deadline (instead of getting traded), Lugo is looking more like a mediocre starter than one that the Royals can depend upon for 2027. 

On the bullpen end, Mason Black had a forgettable outing today, as he gave up three runs on three hits and a walk in 0.2 IP.

His lackluster outing, while relieving a solid Daniel Lynch IV start, allowed the Tigers to tie the game. However, the Royals offense quickly took back the lead in the bottom of the inning.

For the week, he posted a 12.27 ERA in two outings and 3.2 IP. Control has been an issue for Black this week, with four walks and only one strikeout. With Lynch building more stamina, the Royals may not need Black to piggyback Lynch starts for much longer. 

On the hitting end, the Royals did very well, so it was hard to argue with much this week (especially after they went 7-0). That said, Isaac Collins and Tyler Tolbert had down weeks and could see themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to regular playing time.

In 15 at-bats, Collins only hit .200 with a .550 OPS. On a positive note, he drew four walks and produced a .350 OBP. However, he hasn't produced much else but singles, and it seems like he's been losing playing time as of late to other outfielder options.

As for Tolbert, while his 2026 season has been strong, this week was far from it. In 13 at-bats, he hit .154 with a .467 OPS. Tolbert did steal a base and had two walks to three strikeouts, so at least he's getting on base and doing something on the basepaths. That said, Tolbert is proving that he's more of a platoon player rather than a regular one.

Looking Ahead

The Royals take an eight-game win streak on the road to North of the Border in Toronto and then to Cleveland. Both teams are in the playoff hunt, even though both are under .500. The Guardians are slightly better at 65-66 compared to Toronto's 64-68. 

Toronto hasn't been playing its best ball lately, going 5-5 in its last 10 games and posting a -55 run differential for the year. However, they just played the Yankees in the Bronx, and they will face three pitchers with big names but lackluster ERA marks against the Royals: Max Scherzer (7.40 ERA), Shane Bieber (4.53), and Spencer Arrighetti (4.73). The Royals will miss Dylan Cease, who's been their best starting pitcher this year, as evidenced by his 2.37 ERA and 5.0 fWAR.

The Guardians will be a much tougher challenge. They have won four in a row (against the Rockies) and are 6-4 in their last 10. They still have a negative run differential, but it's only -9, much better than the Blue Jays. The Royals will face Tanner Bibbee, former Royal Foster Griffin, and Parker Messick, who have all had solid seasons in 2026.

For the Royals to have a chance in Cleveland, the pitching will need to suppress a Guardians offense that ranks 30th in OPS and 26th in runs scored. If the Royals pitching can step up, and if the hitting can do just enough, then the Royals have a chance to have a winning road trip to close out August before returning to Kauffman Stadium in September. 

A winning road trip could set up an intriguing September for Kansas City, especially if two or three of those wins can come against Cleveland (the Royals play the Guardians at home to close out the 2026 season). 

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