The Royals are not what you’d call “fast starters” in general years. The 2021 start of 15-8 was the aberration over the past few years. In 2020, they were 9-14 through 23 games. It was 7-16 in 2019, 5-18 in 2018 and 7-16 in 2017. So I suppose if you want to look at this with your glass half full, it’s actually their third-best 23-game start in the last six seasons. That’s not bad! Oh wait, yes it is. The concern is how they’re getting there. They’ve gotten great pitching from Zack Greinke and Brad Keller (more on him in a few).
Lesky’s Notes: Boy this feels bleak
