The Royals finish with the 2nd best record in the American League (and all of baseball) to clinch the bye into the Division Series.
They will play either the AL East Champions, the Boston Red Sox, or AL West Wild Card team the Detroit Tigers. It will be a second-ever postseason match up between whoever comes through the Wild Card Series, with the Royals beating Boston in the Division Series in 2032, while it would be a first match up since the Royals got swept 3-0 in the League Championship in 1984 if Detroit win.