The Kansas City Royals won their first World Series title since 1985 last season, but they also won their first division title in 30 years as well. With their entire core group of players returning to the team in 2016, the stage is set for a repeat run at another division crown (and World Series title) in 2016. Here are three reasons why the Royals will win the AL Central again this year:
3) Depth everywhere
In short, there are very few breaks for any given opposing pitcher on any given day because Kansas City has so many weapons with "Next Man Up" magic in their bats. If you mow down Hosmer, Alex Gordon will get you. If he can't, Mike Moustakas/Lorenzo Cain/etc etc. etc. will pick up the load. Other lineups may get more national publicity, but this lineup has been robot-fine and is solid from top to bottom.
2) The 10th Man Factor
The NFL's Seattle Seahawks' 12th Man pales in comparison to the utter New Year's Eve frenzy that Royals fans whip up in big-game situations. The 2014 postseason alone has bumped up Kauffman Stadium on our "Stadiums You Must Experience Before You Die" list, and the 2015 postseason put it at the top. No fan base does it better, and in a game where home-field advantage matters the most, they should put up eye-popping numbers at home (again) this season.
1) Experience
This team is far from the group of wide-eyed youths that made the surprising run to the World Series in 2014. Two years later, this is a group that has routinely pulled out clutch wins and accomplished massive comebacks. They've not only learned what it takes to win, but they've learned what it takes to be GREAT - and they won't settle for anything less. That starts with taking care of business and winning the division.
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