If the 2017 Royals are to win, they will only vaguely look like the pennant winners of 2014 or the World Series champs of 2015.
If the 2017 Royals are to win, they will hit more homers, make fewer spectacular plays in the outfield, and get more from the starting rotation.
If the 2017 Royals are to win, Danny Duffy will be the Royals’ best starting pitcher since Zack Greinke. The back of the rotation will be good for five or six innings, at least, and you won’t know which reliever is pitching which inning until Ned Yost walks to the mound and makes the signal.