Kansas City Royals: Remainder Of May Important For Them

A year ago Monday, the Royals were no-hit by Boston's Jon Lester.

Tuesday, the Royals sit one game out of first place in the American League Central division.

But by the end of the month, things could be dramatically different for the boys in blue.

Nine of the Royals' next 12 games are against central opponents, starting with a three-game series against Cleveland that begins Tuesday night.

Most experts predicted that it would take 85 wins to win the division. But when the Royals look back at the end of the September, they may say it was the last two weeks of May that either won or lost them the division.

Sure, playing the "what if" game is one thing, but it doesn't take Miss Cleo to realize the Royals have some important games coming up.

And as we head down the homestretch of the month of May, there are still plenty of questions to be answered.

Does the pitching get more consistent, especially the back end of the rotation?

With closer Joakim Soria out, are the Royals still able to close out one-run and two-run games?

And does the offense find their potential pop on a more consistent basis?

Tuesday will be an interesting night at the renovated Kauffman Stadium. The Tribe is in last place, they've been struggling, showing frustration. The Royals, knowing that they have an important stretch coming up, can't press or it will be a disastrous series.