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Why I was wrong on Pirates, Royals

Ned Yost's Royals and Clint Hurdle's Pirates both had losing records as late as June 9 this season. USA TODAY Sports

Neither the Pittsburgh Pirates nor the Kansas City Royals had very good starts to the season, and by the end of May, both teams were still under .500 (Pirates 25-30, Royals 26-30). Shortly thereafter, I wrote that both teams should be sellers prior to the nonwaiver trade deadline. In fact, I had written off both the Royals and Pirates as early as April.

Oops. While neither team was able to win its division, both did well enough to earn home-field advantage for their respective wild-card games.

So where did I go wrong? Let's take a look at what I said earlier this season and find out.

Royals

In April, it looked as though it would be another lost season for Alcides Escobar at the plate.