Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
As everyone knows by now, even if only because I keep writing about it, the Kansas City Royals set out this off-season to improve their pitching staff to the point where they could compete and win the American League Central. As we approach the end of the first month of the 2013 season, the Royals experiment has been successful and they are proudly first in the Division. They aren’t exactly running away with it but they are making their ability to win games and win series well known.
James Shields, Wade Davis and Ervin Santana are showing up every fifth day and winning games with their arms. That is why they are wearing Royals blue and they are not letting their team down. The offense has improved to the point where they have very little down time in there for opposing pitchers. One through nine is a pretty tough out with a very tough out at least half of those order spots. Their bullpen is top notch as well and they are able to hold and win close games.
The Royals can’t get too comfortable though as the Detroit Tigers have them matched in wins and are only down a game because of the loss column. That makes the twin-bill on Sunday with the Cleveland Indians a big deal for the Royals as well. A double-header sweep probably would at least sweep the Royals out of sole possession of first. How well they perform in the clutch games tomorrow will show us something about their team.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
