Gut Response: Are the Royals Better than the Blue Jays?

So... you like the Royals better than at least three other teams in the AL Central. By wide margins. 90% of you think the Royals are better than the Twins, 86% feel that way towards the White Sox, and 78% believe the Royals are better than the Indians.

Before we get to the big question, which appears to be are the Royals better than the Tigers, let's mix it up by addressing a few other teams. Given that Royals fans seen to be indicating that the Royals are at least close to being a .500 team and a good bet for at least second the AL Central, let's compare them to a little tougher competition: the Blue Jays.

Blue Jays in a box: 2011 record: 81-81. 2011 Pythag: 79-83. Additions: Francisco Cordero, Kyle Davies, Ben Francisco, Jason Frasor, Trystan Magnuson, Jeff Mathis, Darren Oliver, RIck VandenHurk Losses: Shawn Camp, Frank Francisco, Chad Gaudin, Brad Mills, Jayson Nix, Brian Tallet

The Jays are often talked about as victims of their schedule. That appears to be the case last season. Against the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays, the Blue Jays went 21-33. Against everyone else they went 60-48. Of course, everyone had to play the Al East triad too, and just about everyone struggled against them, to some degree. The Blue Jays just have to play them more. I think you see the effect more when you substitute out teams. The Royals played a zillion games against the Twins, for example. Well, the Blue Jays faced them for six games total. The tipping point here that third high-quality team. That means that other than the Orioles, you just never get a break.