Playoffs? Here is how the Royals could reach the postseason — this year

Let’s all block out our inner Jim Mora for this, OK?

You may recall Mora, the former Colts coach, and his famous postgame news conference in which he was asked about making the postseason. Mora’s response: “Playoffs? Don’t talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me? Playoffs?”

Well, I’m gonna talk about the Royals’ playoffs chances and how they could get reach the postseason. It’s relatively simple, if completely unlikely. Sort of like Indiana Jones surviving a nuclear blast by hiding in a lead-lined refrigerator.

The Royals have five teams ahead of them in the race for the second wild-card spot. While technically still alive, the Royals’ elimination number (or if you prefer: tragic number) is 1.

So to get to the playoffs:

▪ The Royals would have to win their last five games and finish with an 85-77 record.

▪ The Orioles must lose their last five games (two at the Blue Jays, three at Yankees) and finish at 85-77.

▪ The Tigers have to lose last five games (two vs. Indians, three at Braves) and finish 84-78.

▪ The Mariners would need to go 1-4 in their last five games (one at Astros, four vs. A’s) and finish 84-78.

▪ The Astros would have to go 1-3 in their last four games (one vs. Mariners, three at Angels) and finish 84-78.

▪ The Yankees must finish 3-2 (lose two vs. Red Sox, but then must win all three vs. Orioles) and finish 84-78.

This would get the Royals into a one-game playoff (Game 163) against Baltimore for the second wild-card spot. Win that one and the Royals would be on their way to the Wild Card Game, which would be in Toronto (because we need the Red Sox to win twice in this scenario).

Heck, after that, the sky’s the limit. Why not dream of a third straight World Series appearance.

No problem, right? That’s a lot of ifs. But … it could happen, and wouldn’t that be amazing? Even more amazing: if the Tigers, Mariners, Astros and Yankees all won one more game in the scenario listed above that would create a six-way tie for the second wild-card spot. That would be insane.

If nothing else, it’s fun to dream, right?

This story was originally published September 28, 2016 at 8:15 AM with the headline "Playoffs? Here is how the Royals could reach the postseason — this year."