Alcides Escobar will lead off for the Royals in their season opener against the Mets on Sunday.

Escobar will lead off for the Royals in their season opener against the Mets on Sunday.

Analysis:

It's not surprising, considering that Escobar was handling the table-setting role at the end of last season. After posting a .293 OBP in 2015, Escobar is hardly guaranteed to remain atop the lineup card of manager Ned Yost this season, but he'll get an opportunity to begin the year in that role nonetheless.