A Blue September

The first half of the 2013 season wasn't exactly the record the Kansas City Royals had in mind. They had a 43-49 record heading into the All-Star Break and wanting answers to questions. Those questions were answered with a Major-League leading 43-27 second half record. The 2014 season can be seen as a mirror situation with a dismal offense producing a 48-46 record for the first half. Although the team was two games above .500, they had 383 RS (runs scored) with 379 RA (runs allowed). Heading into September, the Royals have compiled a 26-16 second half record; not including their September 1st win at home against Texas. That is a winning-percentage of .619, thanks in part to a 19-10 August. Manager Ned Yost said at the beginning of the season that this team, the Royals, were a second half team. 

One of the many impressive records the Royals have put together this season has been in Inter-League play. They own a 15-5 record with 99 RS and 56 RA. The two best months for the Royals this season? June (17-10) and August (19-10) for a combined 36-20 record (.642 WP) with 256 RS and 202 RA. The team finished September 2013 with a 17-10 record. 

Top 5 Position Players (including offense/defense)
1. Alex Gordon - .280 BA, 75 R, 135 H, 29 2B, 1 3B, 18 HR, 63 RBI, 9 SB, 50 BB, 98 SO, .812 OPS, 5.9 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), 131 G, .993 Fld%, 1161.2 Innings played.
2. Salvador Perez - .269 BA, 51 R, 130 H, 25 2B, 1 3B, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 1 SB, 21 BB, 64 SO, .726 OPS, 3.8 WAR, 125 G, .994 Fld%, 1038.2 Innings played at catcher.
3. Alcides Escobar - .277 BA, 62 R, 133 H, 27 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 44 RBI, 27 SB, 20 BB, 73 SO, .676 OPS, 2.5 WAR, 137 G, .977 Fld%, 1221.2 Innings played.
4. Lorenzo Cain - .298 BA, 43 R, 114 H, 25 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 42 RBI, 24 SB, 21 BB, 88 SO, .739 OPS, 3.8 WAR, 109 G, .993 Fld%, 915.2 Innings played.
5. Mike Moustakas - .206 BA, 41 R, 78 H, 17 2B, 1 3B, 15 HR, 50 RBI, 31 BB, 60 SO, .642 OPS, 0.3 WAR, 113 G, .958 Fld%, 952.2 Innings played. 

Mike Moustakas and Billy Butler could both be No. 5 position player (offensively/defensively) for the Royals. Moustakas gets it for 6 more home runs (15), 26 fewer strikeouts, and he is flat out better on defense than Butler, who has a -0.2 WAR.

Goals for the remainder of the season: win more one-run games, provide more offense when pitching gets the job done during games, and keep the bullpen rested.