SEATTLE
Ned Yost still possesses the ultimate trump card, the perfect response for any question of concern about his baseball team. He can point to the scoreboard, to the World Series ring with his name on it, to the formula that helped his team claim a world championship last fall.
So it goes with shortstop Alcides Escobar, who entered Friday batting .220 with a .250 on-base percentage while taking up residence in the Royals’ leadoff spot. Based on the raw numbers — both this season and last — Escobar still appears an awkward fit for the leadoff role.