As Mike Moustakas goes, so go the Royals?
It's a bit of an oversimplification, but there is evidence to suggest that when Mike Moustakas hits, the Royals win.
Moustakas went 2 for 4 with a double in the Royals' 4-3 victory over the Rangers on Sunday, just the latest case in which the third baseman has been key to Kansas City's success this season.
MIKE MOUSTAKAS IN WINS VS. LOSSES IN 2015
Statistic | Royals wins | Royals losses |
Batting average | .387 | .215 |
On-base percentage | .438 | .267 |
Slugging percentage | .588 | .278 |
Home runs |
4 | 1 |
RBIs | 13 | 5 |
Extra-base hits | 15 | 3 |
More tidbits from STATS LLC as the Royals head into a critical series against the first-place Twins at Target Field in Minnesota:
• Tonight will mark the first time since Aug. 17, 2003, that the Royals and Twins will meet this late in the season as the top two teams in their division. In fact, this is just the fifth season in which the Royals (31-23) and Twins (33-23) have met in June or later with both teams in the top two places in their division.
• Although the Royals and Twins have split their six meetings so far this season, the Royals have controlled the series dating back to 2013. Their 29-15 record (.659) ranks as the American League's third best against a divisional opponent in that span.
• Royals designated hitters have been one of the most productive groups in the league, already equaling the number of home runs the group hit last season.
• Royals starter Jason Vargas has completely turned his season around over his last four starts. That reversal began after allowing five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Twins on April 21.
ROYALS DESIGNATED HITTER STATISTICS IN 2014 AND 2015
Statistic | 2014 (AL rank) | 2015 (AL rank) |
Batting average | .248 (8th) | .294 (2nd) |
On-base percentage | .307 (10th) | .350 (4th) |
Slugging percentage | .332 (14th) | .473 (4th) |
Home runs |
6 (15th) |
6 (T-7th) |
RBIs | 59 (14th) |
39 (2nd) |
BREAKING DOWN JASON VARGAS' SEVEN STARTS THIS SEASON
Statistic | First three starts |
Last four starts |
W-L | 1-1 | 3-1 |
ERA | 6.75 | 3.43 |
Opponents batting average | .348 | .218 |
Strikeouts/nine innings | 4.91 | 6.43 |
WHIP | 1.77 | 1.19 |