Royals Recent Offensive Struggles In Key Area Could Be Playoff Achilles Heel

Not the trend K.C. was hoping for at this crucial time of year.

Sep 15, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) waits for his turn to bat on the dugout steps against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Royals are going to make the playoffs, and that's cause for celebration.

Entering play Monday, the Royals were 82-68, putting them 2 1/2 games clear of the struggling Minnesota Twins for the second Wild Card spot, and five games clear of the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners for a playoff spot. ESPN gives them a 97.0% chance to make the postseason.

Coming off a brutal 106-loss 2023 season, this campaign has already been an enormous success for second-year manager Matt Quatraro's club. Bobby Witt Jr. has emerged as a Most Valuable Player candidate, the pitching staff has been shockingly dominant, and the future looks bright in K.C.

However, a recent trend has emerged with the Royals' offense, and it's not a positive one. It also correlates almost exactly with the injury to star first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who is out until at least early October with a fractured thumb.

According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, the Royals rank 25th in batting average (.212), slugging percentage (.323), and OPS (.601) with runners in scoring position since Sept. 1. That's a troublesome concern, especially considering the success they had had all season to that point.

The Royals ranked first in average (.291), second in OPS (.828), and third in slugging (.468) in RISP situations through Aug. 31, per Rogers.

It's not only a concerning trend because the playoffs are approaching, but also because of the timing of when the trend began.

Pasquantino's injury occurred on Aug. 29, right as the Royals' seven-game losing streak was ramping up. The Royals may be "only" 7-8 since the injury, but they're scoring just four runs per game in that stretch. The offense is petering out at a time it should be kicking into high gear.

Their playoff spot may be secure, but the Royals would be wise to spend whatever extra time they need in the cages before October to make sure their collective RISP woes don't continue. Hitting in pressure-packed moments can't be your weakness in a month that's all about those moments.

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