Yost: Royals ‘opportunistic’ basestealers

SEATTLE — The Royals are off and running again.

The team that led the Major Leagues in stolen bases in 2013 and 2014 and was second in the American League last year, swiping 104 while getting caught only 34 times, is at it again. After stealing four bases in Friday night’s 1-0 loss to the Mariners, the Royals have 18 stolen bases. That total was tied for second in the AL with Houston, two behind AL leader Boston’s 20.

When asked if the Royals are trying to lead the league in stolen bases, Kansas City manager Ned Yost quickly answered, “We’re not trying to do anything.”

“We’re an opportunistic basestealing team,” Yost continued. “We just don’t run to run. We run when we feel like the odds are in our favor that we’re going to steal a base.”

Yost said the league adjusted to the Royals last year. Pitchers worked on speeding up their deliveries to control the Royals’ notorious running game, although Kansas City still maintained a high success percentage in comparison to the other teams that stole a lot of bases. That has continued early this year.

“We still pick our spots,” Yost said. “We’re not running just to run. We’re good at it.”

One of the reasons, as Yost has always made sure to mention, is the preparation of Rusty Kuntz, who Yost referred to aas “the best first-base coach in …

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