KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Not since the Kansas City Royals were winning back-to-back American League pennants in 2014 and ’15 under former manager Ned Yost, and went on to win their first World Series in three decades, has the long-suffering, small-market franchise begun a season with the same amount of optimism that they carry into Thursday’s opener against Cleveland at Kauffman Stadium. Zach Greinke will be back on the mound, the game's No. 1 prospect will be at third base and manager Mike Matheny and the young, exciting club will take the first step toward what they hope is a return to the playoffs.
