Don’t sleep on the Kansas City Royals just yet, or for the rest of the year

Ned Yost was masterful in how he managed the 2015 World Series champions. Now, with a similar roster, and a few more potential additions on the horizon, can his team make a similar run this year? The answer is yes.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how the Kansas City Royals should be sellers, not buyers, as the trade deadline approaches. So of course, thanks to me, Kansas City was motivated to go on a winning streak and make a splash in the trade market.

You’re welcome, Dayton Moore. You can thank me later.

Since the Royals have decided to go all-in, it’s time to consider them as actual contenders. A seven-game winning streak has propelled them into a Wild Card spot, and they sit just 1.5 games behind the Indians in the American League Central.

With how the AL Wild Card situation has played out so far, no team can really be deemed out of the race, well, except maybe Chicago, Oakland, Toronto and Detroit. So why not buy into Kansas City?

I can’t think of a legitimate reason to say no.

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The Royals’ schedule looks like a cake walk in the most crucial period of the season. They will have a rough nine-game stretch toward the end of August – six games against the Indians, three against the Rockies – but play teams with above-.500 records in just 23 of their final 63 games.

Offensively, Kansas City has kicked it up a notch in recent weeks. The club averaged a little more than four runs a game prior to the All-Star break. In the past 12 bouts, the offense averaged 4.9 runs per game.

How? A trio of hitters – Mike Moustakas, Brandon Moss and Whit Merrifield – stepped up the past seven games to lead the way.

Moustakas, who has crushed home runs all season, hit .300 with nine RBI in that span, and Merrifield drove in eight runs while hitting .344. Moss ignited the team’s offense last week against the Tigers and has continued to hit, posting a .300 average with eight RBI.

Starting pitchers haven’t lasted late into games, but the bullpen has been lockdown during the stretch. With the addition of reliable relievers Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer, Kansas City looks like a little more like the 2015 World Series champs.

No, Johnny Cueto probably won’t magically reappear to help the team down the stretch, but Danny Duffy has proven to be the ace the Royals need. He’s garnered a 3.53 ERA since last year, racking up 267 strikeouts with just 60 walks.

Sure, the starting rotation isn’t that promising, as Jason Vargas is starting to sputter and the back end is still a mystery. But Trevor Cahill will be more than serviceable – he has a 3.69 ERA in 11 starts this year. Francisco Liriano could also be joining the club soon.

Either way, Kansas City just needs pitchers to get through five, then manager Ned Yost can hand the ball to his pen.

The 2015 club had a better relief corps with Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera never faltering late in games. Relievers amassed a 2.70 ERA that year, whereas this year’s crew has a 3.80 ERA. Hitting-wise, both teams are essentially the same.

Next: Royals going all-in after trade with Padres

If that team could battle its way to the World Series, this one could as well. Just remember who caused them to get angry and go on an otherworldly streak to get that far.