The Kansas City Royals cast themselves as underdogs during their jaunt to the World Series last season. They relied on scrap and pluck. They manufactured runs and clenched their knuckles white en route to victory. The team expected to maintain this veneer as they defended their American League crown in 2015.
The events of this season’s first quarter have shattered that narrative. You cannot call yourself an underdog when you stand atop the 29 other clubs in baseball. After downing St. Louis, 5-0, on Friday evening, Kansas City claimed the best record in the major leagues at 27-14.