The next few weeks could define the Royals’ season after the trade deadline. Here’s how

The Kansas City Royals are poised to make a run at the postseason after making several smart acquisitions before the Major League Baseball trade deadline.

The Royals have added more veterans to their pitching staff. Michael Lorenzen and Lucas Erceg add a new dimension to the pitching staff, while infielder Paul DeJong bolsters the Royals bench.

The Royals also sent second-year starting pitcher Alec Marsh to Triple-A Omaha, a surprising move that clears the way for Lorenzen to fill the fifth starting spot in the rotation.

Such decisions aren’t easy. But they may be necessary as the Royals look to end a nine-year playoff drought.

“You want to have a good team,” general manager JJ Picollo said. “Good teams have balance, and we feel good about that balance in our club right now.”

Picollo has made no secret of the fact that the Royals are looking to improve in several key areas. KC entered the trade deadline looking for high-leverage relievers and a versatile right-handed hitter.

The Royals believe they have addressed the first need by adding Erceg and fellow reliever Hunter Harvey. Both have electrifying stuff and can generate plenty of strikeouts.

DeJong, meanwhile, has hit 18 home runs this season and is stronger off the bench.

“When we had the free agents that committed to us, you know, all the free agents that we were able to get, you feel a sense of responsibility to help them in their efforts,” Picollo said. “They did their part and we have to do our part. And that was just to help this team the best we could.”

What’s next for the royal family?

They enter August with a record of 60-49 and occupy the final wild-card spot in the American League, just ahead of the Boston Red Sox.

It’s been a while since the Royals were relevant in August. The veterans in the club are hungry for a playoff run.

“I think we’ve gotten to the point where every game is a big game now,” first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said. “We’ve talked about this all year, where we want to be. We’re here, and we’re right where we want to be. … All (games) are big games now.”

The Royals have a chance to catch the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the AL Central, but they are currently six games behind. The two teams will play a four-game series at Progressive Field later this month.

Other division games in the near future for the Royals include three road games against the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins. They also have key home games against the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies.

A strong month would put the Royals in position to make the postseason. But they will be tested by the teams and clubs with the top spots in the playoff mix.

This season, the Royals are 28-33 against teams with a record above .500.

September presents a similar landscape. The schedule includes road games against the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves. KC’s home schedule this month includes final series against the Guardians and Twins.

These matches will have an impact on the playoffs.

The Royals’ young core is poised to experience the playoff race for the first time. But the club has surrounded these new players with veterans who have been there before.

Guys like Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, Hunter Renfroe and Adam Frazier all have postseason experience, and each has played a key role in stabilizing the locker room and leading the way on the field.

Now the Royals will expect the team to be able to deliver in every respect.

You have to keep winning

The Royals took the first step toward a playoff berth by signing veterans who are well-equipped to handle the tough terrain of October baseball.

Another obstacle is winning important matches at the finish.

“Obviously, (we’re) in a tough race in the division and the wild card,” starting pitcher Brady Singer said. “So we’re just going to try to win and take it one day at a time.”

Daily workouts have become a hallmark of Royals manager Matt Quatraro since he was hired ahead of the 2023 season.

The Royals wear it on their jerseys and live by it. It’s the ethos of the organization and has influenced many decisions on the field.

From sacrifices to extra bases, the Royals prided themselves on doing the little things. That belief is rooted in their chemistry.

“Anytime you can help them (Pasquantino, Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez) and get on base, it gives us a huge chance,” infielder Kyle Isbel said.

Those opportunities will only get bigger over the next few weeks. The Royals have a chance to do something special… and the players understand what’s at stake.

There are more milestones ahead on their path to the playoffs. A winning season is possible, and personal achievements are within reach.

Making the playoffs requires balancing those two goals. The Royals have the resources and the mindset to pull off something historic.

Now they must prove they can do it when it is needed most.

“I think all of us believe this is just the beginning,” starting pitcher and AL All-Star Cole Ragan said. “You know, there’s a lot of baseball left and, you know, our ultimate goal is to get to the playoffs and win the playoffs.”