Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Kansas City Royals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week we asked what the Royals would have to do to consider this season a success. Once again, we received a clear majority answer. The Royals need to make the playoffs.
What I find most interesting about this poll, however, is the second-place result: That
the season is already successful for having made it to September still in the hunt. That’s encouraging, as much of the discourse on social media has been about how truly terrible this team was. One memorable fan exclaimed that this was the worst Royals team ever. That, of course, is demonstrably false.
As for reaching the playoffs, which 99% of poll respondents would deem successful, as it would include both of the other top two results, the Royals still have a shot, even after losing the Angels series. They’re still only two games back of a playoff spot, but time is running out. There are fewer than 30 games left to play. If the Royals are going to make it, they’re probably going to need to start scoring runs again, as they have scored three or fewer in eight of their last fourteen games. That’s no way to leap to the playoffs.
