We have learned playoff team number nine – the Kansas City Royals. The Royals beat the White Sox 3-1 on Friday night to clinch at least a Wild Card spot in the American League.
It’s the first playoff berth for the Royals since 1985, when they defeated the Cardinals in seven games to win the World Series. Since that year, it’s been nothing but mediocrity in Kansas City. The Royals finished under .500 20 times in the 28 seasons between playoff appearances, and their back to back above .500 seasons in 2013-14 is the first time that’s happened since 1993-94. Kansas City also now trails the Tigers by just one game in the AL Central, so they might be able to avoid that Wild Card game on Tuesday.
The final playoff spot in the American League can be wrapped up tonight if the Angels defeat the Mariners. That will eliminate Seattle from the playoff picture, and give one of the two Wild Card spots in the American League to the Oakland Athletics, who beat the Rangers 6-2 on Friday night.
