KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals didn't have a postseason prayer. Until, that is, a praying mantis showed up in their dugout.
Since then, the defending World Series champions are playing like world beaters.
Perhaps the Royals can thank Billy Burns for their 9-1 run. He's a spare outfielder, stuck on the bench almost all the time since being traded over from Oakland last month.
But Burns holds an important side job: He's the caretaker of Rally Mantis Jr.
"I think the only reason I'm taking care of him is I actually care about him not dying," Burns said.