Royals' Whit Merrifield: Homer short of cycle Sunday

Merrifield got his first career start at first base Sunday and went 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, a stolen base, two runs scored and an RBI in a win over the Tigers.

Analysis:

He's now hitting .329/.365/.443 in 79 September at-bats, and Merrifield's bat and defensive versatility will likely make him the Royals' top utility player in 2017.