The way the Royals walked into the offseason certainly didn’t erase the frustration and dreariness of the franchise’s first 100-loss season since 2006.
However, they went 22-20 after Aug. 15 and were 15-13 in September (their only winning month of the season). While those numbers may not shout juggernaut in the making, having played better than .500 ball down the stretch undoubtedly signals progress for a team that finished 58-104.
Late-season success especially resonates because several Royals players stepped into prominent roles or received extensive playing time in the majors for the first time last year.
For those looking for optimism or hope, the final month and a half of the season provided just enough of a spark to keep the fire burning.