Kansas City Royals fans have been waiting a long time for this possible opportunity.

They haven't seen their beloved Royals make the playoffs since the 1985 season, when they went on to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling seven-game World Series.

The Royals currently lead the American League Central with a 74-58 record.

If the Royals' winning percentage (56 percent) continues, this will mark the sixth consecutive season the team improves in the win column. The Royals have won seven of their last 10 games and have an exceptional record in the month of August at 19-6.

Leading the way for the Royals at the plate is Billy Butler, who has played his entire career with the Royals, and this season he has a team leading 132 hits. Outfielder Alex Gordon has a team-high 16 home runs and 59 runs batted in. Gordon also leads the Royals in total runs scored with 69.

Although the Royals have been the worst team in the league when it comes to hitting the long ball, they're still driving in runs. This season, the Royals rank dead last in home runs hit with just 84, but they rank a respectable 14th in runs scored. This team has performed very well at the plate with runners in scoring position, and they know how to get timely hits.

Just 2.5 games behind the Royals are the Tigers. The Tigers were one of the busiest teams at the trade deadline. Their addition of pitching ace David Price should have put them over the top, as their offense ranks No. 4 overall in runs scored. Since acquiring Price, the Tigers are just a .500 team, and Price recently had one of the worst outings of his career against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.

This season, the Tigers are 9-4 against the Royals, with six more meetings remaining.

One of the most underrated players on the Royals this season has been Venezuelan shortstop Alcides Escobar. The rising young star has been an excellent defensive player for the Royals this season with diving stops and double plays. Escobar also leads the Royals in triples hit. This season marks the fifth consecutive season Escobar has eclipsed 100 hits in a season. Fellow countryman Omar Infante is having a productive season with 109 hits and counting.

The Royals have what many believe to be the most balanced pitching staff in Major League Baseball. Four pitchers -- James Shields, Jeremy Guthrie, Jason Vargas and Yordano Ventura -- all have double-digit wins this year. The Royals aren't a superstar-loaded team, but instead a well-balanced squad that was formed with the 18th highest payroll.

Just because the Royals are in first place by more than two games at this stage in the season, doesn't mean they can sit back and take it easy. Royals fans have seen this team disappoint a lot over the past few decades. Since joining the American League Central in 1994, the Royals have yet to finish on top at season's end.

If this team can end the longest postseason drought in all of baseball, it would make for one of the best stories in October.

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