Michael Wacha to start ALDS Game 1 vs. Yankees
Cole Ragans will start Game 2
The Royals have advanced to the American League Divisional Series against the Yankees, by virtue of their two-game sweep over the Orioles. The quick series will allow the Royals to get some rest with two days off before they begin the series on Saturday in Yankee Stadium.
The team announced that Michael Wacha will start the opener against the Yankees, with Cole Ragans scheduled to go in Game 2. Ragans exited Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Orioles after six innings and 80 pitches due to leg cramps. Wacha was scheduled to start Game 3 against the Orioles, but that game was not necessary after the Royals won the first two games.
Wacha did not pitch against the Yankees this season, but he has pitched well historically against them with a 2-1 record and a 2.97 ERA in 57 2⁄3 innings. He has a 3.38 ERA in 34 2/3 innings at Yankee Stadium, allowing six home runs.
The Yankees will start right-hander Gerrit Cole (8-5, 3.41 ERA) in Game 1 and left-hander Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.96 ERA) in Game 2. Cole did not face the Royals this year, but he has been a tough post-season pitcher with a 2.93 ERA in 17 career starts. Rodón gave up five runs (three earned) in 13 innings against the Royals, beating them in June in Kansas City, and getting a no-decision in a Yankees win in September in New York. He has a career 4.66 ERA in 13 starts against the Royals, and this will be just his second post-season start.
Starters for the rest of the series have yet to be determined, but Seth Lugo would be likely to start Game 3 in Kansas City.