2013 Royals - Contending or disappointing fail?

[OBPlover]

I don't like the Royals rotation very much, it doesn't scream playoff rotation to me. The lineup could easily win them the Central though. All they need is for Moustakas to progress and Hosmer to rebound. I really like Billy Butler this year, especially if those two guys breakout. You're looking at 1st round caliber potential for Butler if he gets some help from his supporting cast which isn't far fetched.

I don't think you meant to say "could easily win them the central". More like "could easily win them a wild card". Even if the Royals lineup does exceed expectations, I just can't see the gap being large enough to overcome the difference in starting rotation between them and the Tigers.

[jfg]

I should have replaced easily with could. Detroit's rotation is solid but not scary and they're counting on a 37 year old Torii Hunter and a 34 year old coming off an injury Victor Martinez to fill in the gaps in the heart of their lineup. It could work, but there's definitely a window of opportunity for KC and anybody else in the Central. It's really KC's window though because Chicago is in the same boat as Detroit without as much star power and Minnesota and Cleveland's lineups are filled with .250 hitters at best, and neither one has an ace or even a guy that would qualify as a 3rd starter on most teams.