/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60656027/usa-today-10311020.0.0.0.jpg)
For the first time this season, the Royals will be playing a baseball game in which they are mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.
Not everybody is convinced, however, including Hunter Samuels of BP Kansas City.
I'm not giving up on this team yet. If any team can overcome being mathematically eliminated it's these #Royals.
— Hunter Samuels (@HunterSamuels) September 27, 2017
A bit of humor never hurt anybody. Despite the Royals being eliminated, they still have five games left on the schedule, all of which are at home, giving fans one last chance to embrace the team that put baseball in Kansas City back on the map. This season's final series against the Diamondbacks should serve as a farewell tour, of sorts, with Ned Yost being the band manager.
Ned Yost told me today he plans to play the whole core group in each of the last three games of the season, over the weekend.
— Nate Bukaty (@nate_bukaty) September 26, 2017
Tonight's game, as well as tomorrow's, will serve as preparation for the home stretch, with the core getting staggered days off.
Wednesday, Cain & Sal will sit & Hosmer will DH
— Josh Vernier (@JoshVernier610) September 26, 2017
Thursday, Moose will sit & Cain will DH
They will all play each game this weekend #Royals
What happens next is a bit more murky. Royals twitter has been mostly nostalgic, but was given a bit of hope this morning when a rumor surfaced.
The rumors have already begun https://t.co/yKOjgOMo3m
— Royals Review (@royalsreview) September 26, 2017
However, it is much too early to really know how the market will look like and we know that the prevailing thought was that Cain would find a bigger deal elsewhere. Outside of that rumor, we have mostly been looking back at the Royals run with this core. Cain reflected on his time in Kansas City earlier today with Royals beat writer Jeffrey Flanagan.
Lorenzo Cain: "My six years here have been amazing. A lot of fun times. A lot of ups and downs.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) September 27, 2017
Getting to two World Series…was amazing."
Jason Vargas also gave some reflection on the 2017 season (and perhaps on this Royals run as a whole).
Jason Vargas: "...the ride’s been unbelievable. I’m just looking forward to getting to put the uniform on one more time."
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) September 27, 2017
Here are the lineups for tonight's contest against the Tigers. Let's enjoy these last few games.
The #Royals can clinch the series with a win tonight over the Tigers. #RaisedRoyal pic.twitter.com/ouqIS57MCz
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 27, 2017
#Tigers lineup vs. the Royals: pic.twitter.com/ojrl2Y2V0P
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) September 27, 2017