It seems so familiar.
A year ago, the question was whether the 103-loss Colorado Rockies could replicate the success of the World Series-bound Arizona Diamondbacks. After all, the D-backs had gone from a 52-110 record in 2021 to a title run in 2023. Quick rebuilds were possible, the conventional wisdom said. (D-backs general manager Mike Hazen has been clear that 2021 was not part of a rebuilding effort; rather, the team was just bad.)
Now similar comparisons are being made to the Kansas City Royals who last year went 56-106, and this season are one game out of first place in the AL Central.