KC Royals World Series Hopes Lead Through Toronto

After a series comeback against the “team of tomorrow,” aka Houston Astros, we get the American League Championship series many wanted to see. The AL’s top two teams will square off in a best-of-seven rematch of the 1985 ALCS as the KC Royals take on the Toronto Blue Jays.

Both teams saw themselves on the brink on elimination with Toronto trialing the Texas Rangers 2-0 before winning the next three games. As you know, our KC Royals were down to their final six outs in Game Four before riding the singles train to rally in game four then finishing things off in game five.

This has all the makings of a classic series between two teams that frankly do not care for one another after what we saw in the seven regular season contests.

Probable Pitching Match-Ups:
Friday, 7:07 pm – Marco Estrada/RHP (13-8, 3.13) v. Edinson Volquez/RHP (13-9, 3.55)
Saturday, 3:07 pm – David Price/LHP (18-5, 2.45) v. Yordano Ventura/RHP (13-8, 4.08)
Monday, 7:07 pm – Johnny Cueto/RHP (11-13, 3.44) v. Marcus Stroman/RHP (4-0, 1.67)
Tuesday, 3:07 pm – Kris Medlen/RHP (6-2, 4.01) v. R.A. Dickey/RHP (11-11, 3.91)
Wednesday, 3:07 pm* – Volquez/RHP v. Estrada/RHP
Friday, 7:07 pm* – Price/LHP v. Ventura/RHP
Saturday, 7:07 pm* – Stroman/RHP v. Cueto/RHP

* = Games 5-7 if necessary

Comments on Pitching Match-Ups – There’s only one scheduled left handed starter of those who are probable to pitch. Note, as this is written Kansas City’s game four starter isn’t confirmed yet, but Medlen seems likely given that it’ll be in Toronto.

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Game 1: Given that both teams went five games in the divisional series, we’ll see both number three starters. Estrada is 1-1 versus the Royals, losing at Kauffman Stadium but winning at Rogers Centre. Volquez lost his lone start, which was the game which the Jays didn’t like Eddy throwing inside on them.
Game 2: Price made a couple starts against KC while with Detroit, the most memorable of which was his 2-1 win at the K. Ventura did beat the Blue Jays 7-6 in his lone start versus them up north.
Game 3: Cueto started the second game of the four game series and took a no-decision in his first start for his current club. Stroman is the young hot shot with the confidence/swagger that other teams likely will have issues with.
Game 4: Medlen or Chris Young will get this start in all likelihood, but expect it to the guy who gets more ground balls in a hitters park. Dickey started that fourth game of the series; for those that don’t remember, the former NL CY Young winner throws a knuckleball.
Game 5*: Expect a rematch of the game one starters depending on the situation teams are in.
Game 6*: Like game five this should be a repeat of what we saw earlier between Price/Ventura.
Game 7*: This figures to be all hands on deck but both presumed starters did get the ball from their managers in game five.

* = Games 5-7 if necessary

Series Prediction – As mentioned these teams aren’t fond of one another and while I don’t think bean ball will occur it can’t be ruled out. What’s known? These Jays can mash the baseball, with Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Troy Tulowitzki and Jose Bautista forming a devastating lineup to face. They’ve also have a centerfielder who’ll catch anything hit to him in Kevin Pillar. Their bullpen might not be thought of like KC’s but LaTroy Hawkins, Aaron Sanchez are good at protecting leads for Roberto Osuna. In the ALDS Kendry Morales drove the bus hitting three home runs versus Houston. Surprisingly, Alex Rios got some big hits the final two games which hopefully continues. Ben Zobrist, Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez will need to keep it going while more from Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas couldn’t hurt. The bullpen will also need to remain strong in Kelvin Herrera, Ryan Madson and Wade Davis. Both team do things differently while being successful. These two were each tested and looking elimination in the face before getting series wins. Prediction: Royals in seven games

2015 Meetings:
Kansas City went 2-1 at Kauffman Stadium while Toronto was 3-1 at Rogers Centre. KC won their four games by a combined four runs while the Blue Jays total was by 11 which is more to their style.

Franchise History:
All-time Toronto leads 194-185 between these teams. KC is 99-89 at the K while up north are just 86-105 which includes a mark of 51-67 at SkyDome/Rogers Centre.

TV/Radio Coverage:
FOX Sports Kansas City will have postgame coverage from their usual location after each home game with Joel Goldberg, Royals Hall of Famer Jeff Montgomery joined by Ryan Lefebvre and Rex Hudler. Road games will see Goldberg and Hudler live from the KCP&L while Montgomery/Lefebvre wiil be live from Toronto.

Every game can be heard on the Royals Radio Network (610 Sports in KC) with Royals Hall of Famer/2007 Ford C. Frick Award winner Denny Matthews who’s joined in the booth by Lefebvre, Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart.

FOX will broadcast game one and FOX Sports 1 has games three-seven with Joe Buck, Harold Reynolds, Tom Verducci and Ken Rosenthal plus Erin Andrews.

ESPN Radio’s national broadcast will include Dan Shulman and Aaron Boone.

2015 Series Schedule/Results v. Blue Jays (TOR 4-3):
July 10-12, Kauffman Stadium: W 3-0, L 6-1, W 11-10
July 30 – August 2, Rogers Centre: L 5-2, L 7-6 (F/10), W 7-6, L 5-2

Game Notes:
Toronto Blue Jays
Kansas City Royals

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