In addition to deep 'pen, Royals tough to strike out

NEW YORK -- The Royals may not have a complex winning formula, but they do two things better than virtually any team in baseball. Kansas City strikes out less than any other offense in the Major Leagues, and it's put together a relief staff that ranks among the most proficient units in the game.

Kansas City's bullpen has posted the fourth-best ERA (2.97) of any team in the Major Leagues entering Tuesday, and three relievers -- Aaron Crow, Greg Holland and Luke Hochevar -- have an ERA under 3.25. All three of those arms were drafted by the Royals, and lefty Tim Collins was picked up in a trade.

"We have a deep bullpen," said Yost. "We've got guys with tremendous stuff coming out of there. Everybody throws 94 or 95 mph for the most part."

The Royals have struck out just 547 times in their first 86 games -- the fewest of any big league team -- but they've also hit just 58 home runs. Just one team, the Marlins, has fewer home runs (53). Yost said Tuesday that he doesn't mind strikeouts as long as he feels his players have had a good at-bat.

"It's part of hitting. You're going to strike out," he said. "There are certain situations where it bothers you more than others, especially when you've got a runner on third base."