Playoff bound: For the first time ever, the Royals have won the AL Central

(Getty Images) It’s Missouri’s world, and we’re just living in it. Less than a week after the St. Louis Cardinals punched their postseason ticket, the Kansas City Royals became the second team to clinch a postseason berth.

The Royals needed a few things to go their way in order to secure their spot in October on Thursday. Kansas City had to win their game, and the Minnesota Twins had to lose.

The Twins did their part, dropping a 6-3 game against the Cleveland Indians. That score went final as the Royals were up 7-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning. If Kansas City could hold on over the Seattle Mariners, they would make their second straight appearance in the playoffs.

Instead of holding on to the lead, the Royals decided to pile on. Mike Moustakas belted a two-run homer in the eighth inning, and Alex Rios drove in a run on a triple. Wade Davis would give up a run in the ninth, but was able to hold the lead, giving the Royals the 10-4 win.

The victory not only pushed the club into the postseason, but it also marked another significant achievement for the franchise. For the first time in team history, the Kansas City Royals have finished first in the American League Central. It only took 22 years for the club to accomplish that feat.

(Getty Images) Now, the Royals will have to turn their attention to a new goal: Winning the World Series. Since the AL Central was established in 1994, only the Chicago White Sox have managed the feat. The Al Central has sent six teams to the World Series over that period, including the Royals in 2014, but the division has only won one World Series championship since its inception.

After being the favorites in the AL throughout most of the season, the Royals have seen a bit of a fall from grace lately. Johnny Cueto fell into a funk for a few starts, though he seems to have figured things out lately. On top of that, the team announced the Greg Holland would miss the rest of the season due to a “significant” tear in his elbow.

While the club will miss Holland, Cueto’s recent improvements are a great sign. One of the biggest criticisms of the club last offseason was letting James Shields walk in free agency, but Cueto gives them a legitimate ace in a postseason series. Combine that with the team’s young, explosive offense, and the Royals are absolutely a threat to bring home a championship this season.

The last time the Royals were able to accomplish that feat was 1985. That season, coincidentally, was also the last time the Royals won a division title.

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The Royals have what it takes to do it again, but, as last season taught them, it’s not going to be easy. In the coming weeks, the team will be challenged, and there will be immense pressure to succeed.

For now, though, they deserve a night to celebrate.

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