What Will Royals First 20 Games Say About Team’s Overall Success?

What Will Royals First 20 Games Say About Team’s Overall Success?
Christopher Boan Profile Picture
Fact Checked by Michael Peters

It’s been seven seasons since the Kansas City Royals shocked the world by knocking off the New York Mets in five games to capture the franchise’s second championship.

While 2015 was a year to remember, it’s safe to say the interim has been a stretch to forget, with the Royals winning no more than 81 games between 2016 and 2022 and failing to make the playoffs.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Fresh off a 65-97 campaign that saw the Royals finish dead-last in the AL Central, it’s safe to wonder whether 2023 (the first full season Royals fans have Kansas sports betting at their disposal) will be reprieve or more of the same.

Based on the team’s preseason championship odds at BetMGM Sportsbook Kansas (+20000) and its win total of 69.5, one can assume 2023 will be another year without postseason baseball in Kansas City.

Still, BetKansas.com, your home for all the coverage of Kansas mobile betting apps, wanted to shake out how the Royals’ best and worst teams have started their seasons to get a handle on what this year’s team will need to do to return to the playoffs.

Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)

Best Royals Seasons*

Year Overall Record Record After 20 Games
201595-6714-6
198591-7111-9
201489-7310-10
* — Best seasons based on post-season success. 2015 and 1985 teams won the World Series; 2014 team lost World Series.

BetKansas.com is the home to Kansas sportsbook promos for the beginning of the MLB season.

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit http://RG-help.com. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. http://GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Must be 21+ (18+ in D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). Unique user identity verification required. First online real money wager only; $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at http://sportsbook.fanduel.com.

Worst Royals Seasons

Year Overall Record Record After 20 Games
200556-1065-15
201858-1045-15
200458-1048-12

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org (CT), or visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 2/1/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: http://sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos . Ends 1/25/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Is Opening Month Crucial For Royals’ Chances?

Based off the Royals three best seasons, it’s safe to say early season success is not necessarily a harbinger of what’s to come, with Kansas City’s three World Series teams winning 11.7 games on average over that 20-game interval.

The team’s three worst clubs (2004, 2005 and 2018) did start poorly, however, winning 5.7 games on average, which shows the Royals should probably look to at least tread water out of the gate in 2023 in order to reach the postseason.

According to Power Rankings Guru, this year’s Royals team may get a bit of a reprieve when it comes to the strength of their opponents, with the 12th hardest schedule in the league.

With series against Minnesota, Toronto, Atlanta and Texas at home to go with road clashes against San Francisco, the Rangers and Anaheim in the team’s opening stretch, it seems there’s reason to be hopeful.

Only the Blue Jays and Braves made the playoffs in 2022, while the Twins, Rangers, Giants and Angels combined to go 300-348 (.462) last season.

Now, the task for the Royals is to roll forward into the regular season in order to reach heights they last got to nearly a decade ago.

quote

Author

Christopher Boan

Christopher Boan is a lead writer at BetKansas.com specializing in covering state issues. He covered sports and sports betting in Arizona for more than seven years.

Cited by leading media organizations, such as: