The Royals pitching staff had the 15th best FIP and the Indians had the 2nd best FIP. Royals, as a team were average in their team FIP. Indians were great. The Royals starting rotation has the 19th best FIP, the Indians had the 2nd best FIP. Below average rotation for the Royals, great starting pitching from the Indians. Based on that, you would think that the Indians starters would have pitched more innings that the Royals starters, especially when you consider Yost loved to use those three reliever so much, but they didn't. They were only 18th in IP, while the Royals were 8th. Since the Indians defense was so bad, their better starting rotation got knocked out the games earlier because of the defense allowing more runs than a defense like the Royals would have. Overall the Royals gave up less runs even with the much inferior rotation. P.S., Indians ended up with the 19th best rotation ERA while the Royals were 11th.