Royals, Blue Jays, Mets in first place, but with concerns

The Kansas City Royals are sailing toward their first division title in 30 years, and they’ve already won 87 games two fewer than their total in the regular season last year.

For most of this season, the Royals looked like a better version of the team that made a surprising run to the American League pennant in 2014, but they’ve been out of sorts this September, and amazingly, it’s their bullpen that’s done some of the damage.

Wade Davis has been outstanding, but Kelvin Herrera has given up five home runs in 2015 after allowing none last season.

The Royals may be good enough this year that they don’t need their bullpen to carry them, but it no longer feels like the game is over if Kansas City has the lead after the sixth inning.

It may seem like there’s little drama remaining in the regular season, with teams like the Royals and Toronto Blue Jays almost assured of spots in the playoffs.

Since the start of divisional play, the top three teams have never been from the same division, according to STATS.

Quintin Berry of the Chicago Cubs was caught stealing for the first time in his career Sunday after 25 successful tries since 2012.

Kendrys Morales of the Royals became the 10th player this season to hit three home runs in a game, doing it against Detroit in a 10-3 win Sunday.