Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino just had a monstrous week.

Over the last seven games, Pasquantino mashed six home runs, with a home run in five consecutive games during the stretch. He had seven runs, 12 RBI and two doubles. His slash line was otherworldly — .379/.438/1.069 - and his OPS was 1.506. He was red hot. 

Pasquantino is turning into a reliable run producer in the middle of the Kansas City lineup. He has 92 RBI in 129 games so far. In 2024, before getting hurt in late August and missing September, he produced 97 RBI in 131 games. 

He plays a significant role in following Royals superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in the batting order. When Pasquantino and Witt are hot at the same time, they make a formidable pair. 

Third baseman Maikel Garcia is having a breakout season of his own and follows Pasquantino in the lineup. He's hitting .300/.363/.469 with 13 home runs, 58 RBI, 62 runs and 22 stolen bases. 

Following Garcia in the Royals' lineup is the ageless catcher Salvador Perez, who has 22 home runs and 74 RBI of his own. 

This foursome gives the Royals a solid middle of the order presence and is the reason for their second-half resurgence and why they are again in the American League Wild Card race, just 2.5 games out. 

Pasquantino has been a big reason the offense has improved. He has 13 home runs in the second half in 33 games. That nearly matches his first-half total of 15. 

Pasquantino's hot streak matches Witt's, who has a 13-game hitting streak intact, and has been hitless only twice in August. With Witt on base a lot, Pasquantino is getting plenty of opportunities for RBI, and he is cashing in on them. 

If the Royals are going to do the improbable and scrap their way into the postseason, Pasquantino and Witt have to continue to stay hot. No one can expect either to remain as hot as they've been, but they wield the bats that are most likely to drive the Royals to success. 

Pasquantino already has a career-high 28 home runs. It will be interesting to see how many more he can add and if he and Witt can carry the Royals, along with Garcia and Perez, back to the playoffs.