Royals Beat Reds, Lead AL Wild Card Race

Kansas City Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. delivered an outstanding performance on Friday, raising his MLB-leading batting average to .352 with three hits, including his 25th home run of the season, in a 7-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Witt's consistent excellence has placed him as a strong AL MVP candidate, despite competition from New York Yankees' Aaron Judge. Michael Lorenzen, recently acquired by the Royals, earned his first win with the team, allowing just one run over 5 2/3 innings. The Royals' success is bolstered by a solid rotation that includes Lorenzen, Seth Lugo, and Michael Wacha, which has been pivotal in their push for the postseason. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners also boast formidable rotations, ranked third and first among playoff contenders, respectively, reflecting the intense competition as the season progresses.