Here is how the last 10 World Series champions have fared over their first 40 games

The Royals are a quarter of the way through the season, and they have a 20-20 record.

Does that record mean anything when considering the Royals’ World Series aspirations?

Well, every World Series champion of the previous 10 seasons had a winning record after the first 40 games of the season. Here is a look at how the last 10 World Series champions have done after one-fourth of the season has been completed (with their overall record):

2015: Royals 26-15 (95-67)

2014: Giants 25-15 (88-74)

2013: Red Sox 23-17 (97-65)

2012: Giants 21-19 (94-68)

2011: Cardinals 22-18 (90-72)

2010: Giants 22-18 (92-70)

2009: Yankees 23-17 (103-59)

2008: Phillies 22-18 (92-70)

2007: Red Sox 28-12 (96-66)

2006: Cardinals 25-15 (83-78)

Over the previous 10 seasons, here is the Royals’ record during after 40 games (with their final record in parentheses):

2015: 26-14 (95-67)

2014: 20-20 (89-73)

2013: 20-20 (86-76)

2012: 16-24 (72-90)

2011: 20-20 (71-91)

2010: 15-25 (67-95)

2009: 21-19 (65-97)

2008: 19-21 (75-87)

2007: 13-27 (69-93)

2006: 10-30 (62-100)