A fans’ guide to the Royals’ most important month in decades

Will it be a September to remember for baseball fans in Kansas City? The Royals were in first place on Aug. 31 for the first time in decades and are in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 1985. Check out this special collection of stories and charts to get you prepared for the critical final month.

Sam Mellinger column: George Brett backs this bunch over his 1985 champions (with a player-by-player breakdown of both teams).

Vahe Gregorian column: Managing the return of Eric Hosmer while still keeping Billy Butler’s bat hot could make or break the Royals.

Scouting the opponents: Lee Judge gives his take on six teams and eight series standing between the Royals and the playoffs, plus schedules and stats.

More Judge: What to watch from each player down the stretch.

Expert advice: Brett and Frank White share their tips for this team to make the playoffs.

No Negative Ned: Andy McCullough takes a look at Royals manager Ned Yost, who was fired the last time he had a team this close to the postseason. Yost says he’s learned from his mistakes in Milwaukee.

Royals’ rewind from A to Z: A lighthearted look back at the season so far.

Help from the farm: Five prospects who could play a role in September.

History lesson: A chart detailing the Royals’ records on Sept. 1 and at the end of the season since 1985.

This story was originally published August 30, 2014 at 8:29 PM with the headline "A fans’ guide to the Royals’ most important month in decades."