AL Division Series Preview: Angels (98-64) v. Royals (89-73)

No matter where you were Tuesday night you’ll never forget that Wildcard game between the A’s and Royals at Kauffman Stadium. I was fortunate to be there and by far it was the best atmosphere that I’ve been a part of at the K, I’d even go ahead and say it had doses of Arrowhead Stadium’s noise mixed in with party environment of Sporting Park.

Tonight the Kansas City Royals travel west against the Los Angeles Angels as they begin the ALDS at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

That said it’s time to turn the page to the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. LA was the best team in the AL by record, I saw that since KC did split with them during the regular season. Los Angeles featured Mike Trout and will be tough but if we learned anything against Oakland the Royals won’t go down without a fight.

Probable Pitching Match-ups:
ALDS Game 1 (Thursday, October 2), 8 pm: Jason Vargas/LHP (11-10, 3.71) v. Jered Weaver/RHP (18-9, 3.59)
ALDS Game 2 (Friday, October 3) 8:30 pm: Yordano Ventura/RHP (14-10, 3.20) v. Matt Shoemaker/RHP (16-4, 3.04)
ALDS Game 3 (Sunday, October 5) 6:30 pm: C.J. Wilson/LHP (13-10, 4.51) v. James Shields/RHP (14-8, 3.21)
ALDS Game 4 (Monday, October 6)* TBA: TBD v. TBD
ALDS Game 5 (Wednesday, October 8* TBA: TBD v. TBD
* = If necessary

Comments on Pitching Match-ups – I’ll admit that I thought Jeremy Guthrie was going to start game one in Anaheim and then Vargas or even Danny Duffy that said it’s not going down that way so we’ve got to go on what Ned Yost selected.
Game 1 – Two Long Beach State teammates Vargas and Weaver square off in their native Southern California to open this series. On paper this match-up favors Los Angeles given the struggles of the Kansas City starter.
Game 2 – Last time we saw Yordano he was leaving the mound of Kauffman Stadium following a rough third of an inning versus Oakland. Shoemaker, also a rookie has been sensational since being put in the Angels rotation. This match-up comes down to who can handle the enormity of the moment on Friday night as both will be making their first postseason start.
Game 3 – Shields will get another home start and fans hope it’ll go better than Tuesday night did. Wilson has experience pitching in the playoffs with Texas so you’d think this won’t get to him. Both pitchers should be able to handle what should be another rocking Kauffman Stadium environment.
Games four and five likely will be the same as games one/two but for now we’ll just leave them as to be determined (TBD).

Series Predictions – I’ll admit that Los Angeles doesn’t move the needle for me which probably has everything to do with pitchers Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs being out. Yes, Trout and Albert Pujols are cause for concerned but this is a team that seems more likely to drive in runs via the long ball than manufacturing them. Yes, Weaver and Shoemaker going against Vargas/Ventura to start looks like it favors the Angels but let’s not pretend it’s Clayton Kershaw and Zach Greinke. Another thing I like is this series starts in Anaheim since Kansas City is 47-34 away from the K, yes LA is 52-29 at home but KC plays well on the road. Prediction: Royals win in five

2014 Meetings:
These teams split the season series 3-3 with each team taking two of three at their home park. Back in May the Angels won by scores of 6-1 and 4-3 in Anaheim while the Royals won 4-3 in 13 innings. At Kauffman Stadium KC won 8-6 and 5-4 (walkoff victory) while LA took the middle game 6-2. Interesting to note that Aaron Crow and Michael Mariot won two of three games Kansas City claimed while Greg Holland has the other.

Franchise History:
The California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels lead the all-time series 283-273. Los Angeles holds an advantage of 146-136 in game played in Anaheim between these clubs. LA also leads meetings in Kansas City 146-128 which includes a 127-114 record at Kauffman Stadium.

TV/Radio Coverage:
TBS will have TV coverage for the entire series between these teams with Ernie Johnson Jr., Ron Darling and Cal Ripken Jr. with Matt Winer on the call.

Radio coverage is available on the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports Radio in KC) beginning an hour before with Josh Vernier. Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews will be joined in the booth by Ryan Lefebvre, Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart.

FOX Sports Kansas City will be live after each game from Anaheim and Rivals at Kauffman Stadium for this series. Joel Goldberg will be joined by Jeff Montgomery, Rex Hudler and Lefebvre for analysis following the conclusion of each game.

Regular Season Series v. Angels (Series Tied 3-3)
May 23-25, 2014 – Angels Stadium: L 6-1, W 7-4 (F/13), L 4-3
June 27-29, 2014 – Kauffman Stadium: W 8-6, L 6-2, W 5-4

Game Notes:
Los Angeles Angels
Kansas City Royals