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The Kansas City Royals arrived at Comerica Park with renewed momentum after finishing a successful 8-2 homestand<\/a>.<\/p>\n There are a lot of words to describe the Royals\u2019 hot stretch. Refreshing <\/i>is certainly one that comes to mind. But it\u2019s clear the Royals have more work ahead to earn a postseason berth.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n So maybe there isn\u2019t a particular word to describe the Royals. A phrase might be more appropriate for this situation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to go out there and set the tone,\u201d Royals reliever Sam Long said ahead of Friday\u2019s game against the Detroit Tigers.<\/p>\n The Royals know what\u2019s at stake this weekend. The club will play the first leg of six upcoming games against the Tigers \u2014 all within the next 10 days.<\/p>\n Detroit has owned the American League Central<\/a> by a wide margin this season. However, the Royals have cut into the deficit in recent weeks. KC sits 9 \u00bd games back in the AL Central standings with 34 games to play.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Tigers have won five of the previous seven games in the series. If the Royals want to bring postseason baseball back to Kansas City, they must win against fellow playoff-bound teams down the stretch.<\/p>\n Hence, the Royals must \u2014 in their words \u2014 set the tone<\/i> this weekend.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to see these guys a bunch over the next couple of weeks, and they\u2019re obviously meaningful games right now,\u201d Long said. \u201c… That\u2019s what we\u2019re focused on. It\u2019s, you know, punching first and getting off to a lead in this series and just taking it each day at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n The Royals operate with a \u201ctoday\u201d mantra in the clubhouse. But looking at the big picture, it\u2019s clear the Royals are amid one of their best stretches of 2025.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Vinnie Pasquantino has ignited a dormant offense<\/a> since the All-Star Break. New veteran additions have infused more professional at-bats<\/a> in the lineup. Pasquantino entered Friday\u2019s matchup with a home run in four consecutive games.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it starts with our preparation before the game,\u201d Royals utilityman Nick Loftin said. \u201cYou know, top to bottom, it\u2019s been truly special. We\u2019re finally starting to click together, not just from an offensive standpoint, but defensive standpoint. We are all coming together at a pretty critical time as we are making a playoff push.\u201d<\/p>\n The Royals have hit 64 home runs in their last 40 games. It\u2019s the fourth-most in the majors during that span and has coincided with a 27-16 mark since July 1.<\/p>\n Now, the Tigers offer the next big challenge. The Royals have a slim chance of making up ground in the AL Central. However, they can solidify their AL wild-card pursuit with a statement victory in Detroit.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, we know these guys are in first place and they\u2019ve had a really good season,\u201d Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. \u201cBut one game doesn\u2019t change the course of the season. We need to play well as often as we can the rest of the year. That\u2019s our goal every time we come out here.\u201d<\/p>\n The Royals (66-62) also entered Friday just two games behind the Seattle Mariners (68-60) for the third and final AL wild-card spot. The Mariners have lost five consecutive games and welcome the Athletics to T-Mobile Park this weekend.<\/p>\n Opportunity awaits the Royals. In addition to multiple games remaining against the Tigers, the club will play the Mariners in September at Kauffman Stadium.<\/p>\n Each avenue offers the Royals a chance to return to October. Last season, the Royals reached the ALDS<\/a> against the New York Yankees. It was an experience that stuck with several players.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n This spring, the Royals made it their goal to get back to the postseason. At times, it didn\u2019t seem like the playoffs were in the cards. A disappointing first half included a team meeting<\/a> and injuries to star pitchers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yet, the Royals are still standing in late August. Armed with new veterans and buoyed with talented youth<\/a>, the Royals have the ammunition to make some noise.<\/p>\n