Yost confident close games, rivalries will turn

KANSAS CITY -- Last season, the Royals had a good record in one-run games at 31-25, the most wins in the American League. They were also strong within their own division, 44-32, second only to AL Central champion Detroit's 47-29.

This season, going into Wednesday night's Central game against the White Sox, they were just 4-11 in one-run games and 5-15 against the Central Division.

Yet, the Royals were just one game under .500 at 22-23.

Manager Ned Yost believes those negative numbers will improve as the team tries to better last season's finish, which put it 10 games over .500 at 86-76.

"There's no doubt in my mind," Yost said. "That's why you don't see anybody panicking or going crazy. They just keep working. We're not happy we're one game under .500, but it could be a lot worse the way things have gone."