Red-Hot Royals Refuse To Lose Games, Ground To Red Sox In Playoff Race

The Boston Red Sox survived a critical seven-game road trip against capable American League teams with a 4-3 record. They just didn't change much of their outlook as the Kansas City Royals just keep winning.

The Royals hold a 3 1/2 game lead over the Red Sox for the final AL wild-card spot after taking a series win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. The victory in a rematch of the 2014 ALDS comes as just the latest positive development for the Royals. For as much as Boston does to keep its ballclub in the playoff hunt, Kansas City just keeps rolling.

Tied with the Houston Astros, the Royals are an American League-best 18-11 since the All-Star break with a top-10 team ERA in that span. Bobby Witt Jr. leads a talented roster as the young Kansas City superstar is just on fire in August, entering play Wednesday hitting .371 with six home runs and a 1.188 OPS.

Eventually, the Red Sox need a slip from the Royals to truly push their way back into a manageable position in the race with under 40 games remaining this season. Boston did get through a difficult schedule stretch and faces lesser competition to begin September. It's the opposite for Kansas City, which could be just the chance the Red Sox need to strike.

The Royals face these opponents over their next six series: the Philadelphia Phillies, the Cleveland Guardians (twice), the Minnesota Twins, the Astros and the New York Yankees. That group includes four division leaders, two AL Central teams and the team that Kansas City currently sits in a wild-card tie with, the Twins.

If the Red Sox and Royals find themselves in lockstep with a playoff spot on the line, Boston does have the advantage in a tiebreaker scenario after taking the season series 4-2.