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Last Year

"The 2023 Kansas City Royals season was the 55th season for the franchise, and their 51st at Kauffman Stadium. It was also the team's first season under the management of Matt Quatraro. They were eliminated from playoff contention for the eighth consecutive season on August 29. Their 56–106 record tied the 2005 season for the lowest winning percentage (.346) in franchise history. They also finished sub-.458 for the 5th consecutive season."

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This Year

Kansas City have advanced to the next round by sweeping the Baltimore Royals in two games.
They play the Yankees next.

The Yankees won the AL East and didn't have to play in the wild-card series.
The Yankees are favored in MLB playoff odds over the Royals, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
It has New York at -210 to advance, while it puts Kansas City at +170

However, https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/royals-recent-playoff-dominance-highlighted-by-bonkers-stats/ar-AA1rEx8c?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=90440d20061f4310ba44ae528bdfc485&ei=28

Everyone, who was in Kansas City October of 2014 and October of 2015, know how there was magic in the air. The Royals outshone the Chiefs. Those two Octobers, baseball dominated football for being the most popular and talked about sport in town. Those two Octobers belonged to the Royals. Although odds are against it, we all dream of seeing the same kind of Royals magic in 2024. Meanwhile, merely going from embarrassing, last place in the league to returning to the playoffs has been a really big deal this year.

As Bobby Witt, Jr said "Enjoy the moment because who knows when it will come again."

That made me foolishly buy a Men's size 5X "official, Special Event" T-shirt (as seen in the above photo). That size was all that was left just 2 hours after the Royals had won a spot in the playoffs. No more will be made. Even though I plan to use this shirt as an oversized sleepshirt, I know that it is going to be waaaay oversized for a size M girl. However, remembering 2015, I just couldn't resist. Even if the Royals might not advance past the Yankees (which is currently an unknown one way or the other), at least they have gotten back into the finals and into October baseball. 2014 and 2015 were so much fun. My buying this T-shirt brought back those happy memories.

The Royals going from last place to where they are now is a really big deal for city morale. 2015 was such a joyful year with good feelings everywhere. The Royals winning was different than it is with the Chiefs. Despite the 50 years between their returning to Super Bowl status, the Chiefs have always done well in general. The story has not been the same for the Royals.

The Royals winning the World Series in 2015 was a Cinderella Story. Their story of being at the top of the game was truly magical. Although the Royals chances of a World Series win this year are slim, I'm still on the Royals bandwagon again. I honestly like baseball more than football. I have so many Royals T-shirts (size Ladies M) in my wardrobe...

It's good to see Salvy back in the Playoffs: https://www.mlb.com/royals/news/salvador-perez-in-2024-postseason-with-royals