The Royals already have a feel-good vibe going, having won that wild 12th inning comeback victory over the A's in the Wild Card Game.
Mike Moustakas can add to those good feelings since he feels right at home in Southern California. Moustakas was born in Los Angeles and starred at Chatsworth High before the Royals drafted him second overall in 2007.
The Royals haven't been to the playoffs in 29 years, and Moustakas' first ALDS is against the Angels in front of friends and family.
Moustakas has lived in Laguna and Newport Beach in Orange County, but he said he recently bought a home in Malibu. Home is where the heart is, and with family and friend here, Moustakas is thrilled to play here.
"It was such an emotional game. Both teams were unbelievable,'" Moustakas said. "Both teams battled as hard as we could. Glad we were able to come out on top. Someone had to win. Someone had to lose. Celebrating with the boys and getting to celebrate with everyone was an awesome feeling. Words can't describe how cool it is to pop champagne bottles with everyone."
His dad, Mike Moustakas, a former UCLA football player, flew out for that game in Kanas City. The 26-year-old Moustakas won't have to worry about family members flying anywhere for the ALDS road games.
"It's crazy it ended up being in Anaheim," Moustakas said. "It's really special."
Moustakas batted .212 this season with 15 home runs, but he's been heating up as of late. He was 4-for-12 with 2 RBI and a double in the Royals' four-game season-ending series with the Chicago White Sox.
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"The season was up and down, but that's what this game is," Moustakas said. "This game is so up and down. It's a roller-coaster ride. Felt good going into Chicago. Got a couple hits here and there and some confidence going into the end of the season. Just never stop playing. Never stop working. I was able to figure some stuff out and get some hits."
He had a big hit in Tuesday's Wild Card Game as he got the two-run, third-inning rally going with a leadoff single to spark the Royals.
"If it was 0-for-4, 1-for-4 we were just trying to do something to help the team win at all costs," Moustakas said. "If it had to be a bunt to get a guy over or whatever it was. To get a hit off (Jon) Lester, who threw the ball fantastic, was nice and got the boys going a little bit. It definitely felt good."
Moustakas said he felt like this was the Royals' time to break the drought of nearly three decades without postseason baseball.
"No one knew how good of a team we really had here and how much desire and will to have win we have on this team," Moustakas said. "Everyone on this team knew we were going to win through the entire season."
And it took a big rally from the Royals to get here to the ALDS, but it was one for the ages.
"Getting all those text messages and phone calls from my family after the game was awesome," Moustakas said. "Seeing how proud of us they are and how amazing a fight that was."
Moustakas can see his family in person after Game 1 of the ALDS Thursday since they'll be driving from Northridge to Anaheim. Moustakas has 10 tickets for family and friends, but he expects to see plenty more friendly faces.
And even through his season's struggles, he isn't complaining.
"I enjoy playing this game so much," Moustakas said. "Work is fun for me, taking ground balls and hitting, that's fun. I'm very blessed to have the job I have."
And to be doing that job in October.
