KC Royals: How the Starting Rotation Stacks Up

Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1: Edinson Volquez

Volquez last started in the KC Royals Game Five ALCS loss to the Blue Jays, when he gave up five runs over the span of five innings.  He had given up just three earned runs in his previous postseason starts (ALDS Game 3  and ALCS Game 1).  In his last start at Kauffman Stadium (ALCS Game 1), he tossed six innings, allowing no runs and just two hits.  Volquez will kick off the World Series, matching up against Matt Harvey of the Mets.

In his two road starts, he has allowed eight runs over 10.2 innings.  In his time with the Pirates in 2014, the Mets hit .267 off of Eddie in just two games against him; he allowed just two runs in that span.  Mets’ infielder David Wright has had 17 career plate appearance against Volquez; he is 2-13 with 3 walks and a strikeout.   Mets outfielder Curtis Grandson is 0-9 career against Volquez with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.  Former Detroit Tiger Yoenis Cespedes has just three plate appearances this season against Volquez; he went 1-3.

Volquez has earned the right to start Game 1 at the K; in his ALCS Game 1 start, he was huge for the Royals and led them to an early series lead that held throughout the time in Toronto.  An early series lead will be important for KC this time as the Mets have lost just one postseason game at Citi Field this season and will look to jump to an early series lead.

“Steady Eddie” sports four knockout pitches; he throws a low to mid-90s fastball, a two seam fastball with cutting action that can also come in 90+ as well as a mid 80s changeup and mid 70s curveball.  He has always struggled with command of his pitches and has lately relied on the veolcity to squeak by hitters.  The Mets will look to pounce on any opportunity to knock one out of the park, so Volquez will need to make sure he has “grade A” command of his pitches on Tuesday.

Looking at his postseason consistency and his opponents, Volquez will be likely be lights out in game one.

Next: The Royals imported ace