KANSAS CITY -- The Orioles know they have a long road ahead of them, not just in 2018, but in '19 and beyond. The gap when it comes to competing against the likes of the Yankees and Red Sox looms large for Baltimore as it begins a rebuild.
But any comparison between the O's and the Royals -- who are also in a rebuild -- being in a similar plight withered away after Kansas City's 9-1 series-sweeping win on Sunday. A Royals club that entered the series with the second-worst record in baseball put some distance between themselves and the O's, showcasing a better offense, defense and a trio of exciting young pitching prospects in the weekend set.