Here are three keys to the Royals taking that next step.
1. Maintain solid hitting approach
Manager Ned Yost said before Friday's game that he didn't think it was necessary for his batters to change their approach at the plate, even though they struggled in Thursday's series-opening loss. But on Friday, the Royals seemed to make a concerted effort to hit the opposite way -- nine of their 11 hits were to the opposite field. The Royals also seemed to be more selective against left-hander Scott Kazmir, and it seemed to work -- they chased him in the sixth.