Matt Quatraro Points to One Thing Behind Kansas City Royals' Hot Streak

Matt Quatraro Points to One Thing Behind Kansas City Royals' Hot Streak

Something has changed with the Kansas City Royals.

It is hard to pinpoint exactly when the switch flipped, but after a 6-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City has now won four straight and eight of its last 10 to improve to 16-19.

The record does not say that they are a contender again, but the way this group has played lately looks nothing like the team that stumbled through April.

Kansas City entered the 2026 season expecting to compete for a playoff spot, and the first few weeks were a reminder that those expectations do not win games.

The recent stretch has changed the conversation around this team though, and manager Matt Quatraro could feel it after Monday's win.

"I think overall, we've talked about the energy is good, the guys feel confident," Quatraro said. "And I think it's starting to build. Obviously there's going to be tough days at times, but these guys believe in themselves. And I think that's (why) we're seeing a better brand of baseball."

The Bats and Arms Showed Up

Monday night had a little bit of everything.

Michael Wacha needed just 79 pitches to work through seven innings, giving up four hits and two earned runs while striking out three.

David Fry tagged him for a two-run homer in the second, and it felt like another rough night could be on the way. Wacha had other plans.

He retired 16 of his next 17 batters and never gave Cleveland another chance.

The offense woke up in the fourth with a four-run frame that blew the game open.