The American League (AL) Central Division title race is heating up as August ends – and Kansas City is in the thick of it.

As of Friday afternoon, the Royals were in second place and trailing division leader Cleveland by 1.5 games. But they were 5-5 through their last 10 games and had dropped two straight entering Friday night’s meeting with AL West leader Houston at Minute Maid Park.

Kansas City started its latest 10-game stretch by splitting the last two games of a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. After falling 9-5 Aug. 20, the boys in blue won 3-0 Aug. 21, with starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen getting the shutout victory. Lorenzen pitched seven innings, striking out five, and allowing four hits and two walks.

The Royals then dropped two of a three-game home interleague series with Philadelphia, the National League East Division leader. Kansas City won the first game 7-4 Aug. 23, with the Royals getting boosts by home runs from Salvador Perez and Hunter Renfroe. The Phillies, however, dominated the last two games, cruising 11-2 Aug. 24 and 11-3 Sunday. 

Kansas City kept itself in AL title contention by winning three of four this week from Cleveland at Progressive Field. The Royals opened the series by sweeping a doubleheader Monday, 4-3 and then 9-4. 

Perez powered Kansas City to a 6-1 win Tuesday, going 2-for-5 with a run scored. The Guardians avoided a sweep by edging the Royals 7-5 Wednesday.

Kansas City dropped the opener of its four-game series with Houston 6-3 Thursday. The Royals were in position to win, leading 3-2 through seven innings. The Astros took control with a four-run eighth.