The Kansas City Royals find themselves back in contention for the postseason following a convincing 4-2 win over the New York Yankees in Game 2, a match that hinted at greater dominance than the final score reflects. Salvador Perez’s home run in the fourth inning was pivotal, revitalizing the team’s lineup, and the bullpen managed to recover from a challenging previous game.
As the series moves to Kauffman Stadium, fans will eagerly anticipate witnessing two postseason games at their home ground. Just seven months ago, the prospect of MLB playoffs returning to Kansas City seemed unlikely, but that dream has now turned into reality.
Several notable points emerged from Monday’s victory, and there are sure to be numerous narratives generated as Kansas City fans express their excitement. With the series now tied at 1-1, both optimistic and pessimistic assessments of the team’s roster and performance are expected to circulate.
Following the Royals’ recent success, here are some potential overreactions from fans, along with an evaluation of their validity.
Overreaction No. 1: Garrett Hampson has saved the season with his batting Performance
Manager Matt Quatraro faced criticism for putting a righty-heavy lineup against Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, with particular displeasure directed at third baseman Maikel Garcia’s return to the leadoff spot. Veteran Garrett Hampson, who has struggled this season, also faced scrutiny. However, his impactful Game 2 performance might change that perspective.
Hampson managed to make a difference not with his speed, but through his batting. Despite struggling throughout the regular season with a batting average of just .230, he stepped up in his first career postseason start with two hits, contributing one run and scoring another. While he only had two plate appearances before being replaced by Kyle Isbel, Hampson’s contributions during the crucial fourth inning cannot be overlooked.
Overreaction No. 2: Maikel Garcia is the best leadoff option in the ALDS
Garcia had previously struggled in the leadoff position, having started there for the last time on August 31, 2024, during a challenging stretch for the Royals. Nevertheless, Quatraro demonstrated his confidence in Garcia by placing him back in the leadoff spot for Game 2.
Garcia delivered with a standout performance, logging four hits and an RBI, while also stealing a base, demonstrating the speed and chaos on the bases that Quatraro hoped for. If this environment helps Garcia excel, it would make sense for the Royals to continue utilizing him in this key role moving forward.
Overreaction No. 3: Cole Ragans is not the playoff ace
Ragans had a shaky but decent outing in Game 2, walking four batters over four innings, which raised concerns about his control. He threw 87 pitches, but only managed 49 strikes, leading to a high ball rate. Despite this, the Yankees couldn’t capitalize on the free passes he offered, leaving some room for improvement in future games.
The Royals will likely continue to count on Ragans later in the series, as he has shown flashes of brilliance earlier in the postseason, sparking hope that he can regain his form.
Overreaction No. 4: Bobby Witt Jr. is avoiding the postseason spotlight
Witt Jr. has enjoyed a remarkable 2024 season, but following two consecutive games without a hit against the Yankees, critics have begun to emerge. His struggles continued in Game 2, where he recorded three strikeouts and appeared to chase pitches outside the strike zone.
These recent performances are anomalies in the context of Witt’s overall career, especially since he previously struggled at Yankee Stadium this season. With the series transitioning to Kauffman Stadium, there’s optimism that he can find his rhythm again.