![Nicky Lopez hit by pitch. Whit Merrifield to 2nd.](https://cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/DMXEFD5IDVBINJ3YSCOF6BQCE4.jpg)
Full of surprises: Royals own best AL record, sweep Tigers
![Nicky Lopez hit by pitch. Whit Merrifield to 2nd.](https://www.kansascity.com/latest-news/nhhsgm/picture244844312/alternates/FREE_1140/AP20070189311349.jpg)
KC Royals' Nicky Lopez trusting Mike Matheny's plan for him
![Nicky Lopez hit by pitch. Whit Merrifield to 2nd.](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2MEAGRC/kansas-city-royals-nicky-lopez-sprints-to-third-base-on-his-way-to-scoring-on-a-double-by-teammate-whit-merrifield-during-the-sixth-inning-of-a-baseball-game-against-the-boston-red-sox-in-kansas-city-mo-friday-june-18-2021-ap-photoreed-hoffmann-2MEAGRC.jpg)
Kansas City Royals' Nicky Lopez sprints to third base on his way
![Nicky Lopez hit by pitch. Whit Merrifield to 2nd.](https://www.kansascity.com/latest-news/ovwujp/picture251670543/alternates/FREE_1140/AP21143055966697.jpg)
Royals' infielders were among best defensive players in July
![Nicky Lopez hit by pitch. Whit Merrifield to 2nd.](https://img.mlbstatic.com/milb-images/image/private/t_2x1/t_w1536/milb/rqjnpvl0vvemqi8ykvvg.jpg)
The Return to Omaha: Nicky Lopez
![Nicky Lopez hit by pitch. Whit Merrifield to 2nd.](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2MJN4FE/kansas-city-royals-second-baseman-nicky-lopez-fields-a-ball-hit-by-minnesota-twins-eddie-rosario-during-fourth-inning-of-a-baseball-game-at-kauffman-stadium-in-kansas-city-mo-friday-june-21-2019-rosario-reached-with-an-infield-hit-on-the-play-ap-photoorlin-wagner-2MJN4FE.jpg)
Kansas City Royals second baseman Nicky Lopez fields a ball hit by
![Nicky Lopez hit by pitch. Whit Merrifield to 2nd.](https://imengine.prod.srp.navigacloud.com/?uuid=903271d2-9db3-5a73-b399-6f083d3c7e9f&type=primary&q=72&width=1024)
Battle of the bottom: Royals top A's 5-1
![Nicky Lopez hit by pitch. Whit Merrifield to 2nd.](https://www.ballysports.com/images/image/private/t_1-1_768/f_auto/prod/jneqz6mlemnh5u58gpba.jpg)
Royals small ball successful in 3-2 win over Giants Kansas City
![Nicky Lopez hit by pitch. Whit Merrifield to 2nd.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fkingsofkauffman-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F1144680404-850x560-96c5c680da0b2090a9abfa2311082e5e.jpg)
KC Royals center fielder Whit Merrifield: By the numbers