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KC Royals: Pitchers With Postseason Experience

By Alec Tilson

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The Kansas City Royals pitching staff is a big reason the club was 30 games over .500 in September. After a four-game skid and a few inconsistent outings, the rotation and parts of the bullpen seem to be a cause of concern for fans.

The KC Royals have a race to run this month, and the Toronto Blue Jays aren’t slowing down, but here’s a look at how some of the ‘new’ current Royals pitchers have fared in the playoffs.

In fairness, these numbers don’t mean much. The innings-pitched are few, many of these stats are years old, and, well, weird things happen in the playoffs. But it’s fun to look back…

Johnny Cueto

Pitcher Johnny Cueto posted his fourth consecutive loss on Sunday, and his recent struggles are well-documented. The Royals expect him to be a Game 1 starter in the postseason, and unless it comes out that he’s injured, he projects to be just that.

Nine short years ago, Royals pitcher Chris Young posted an absolute gem in Game 3 of the NLDS to keep the 2006 San Diego Padres’ season alive.

In three career postseason starts, Cueto has seen mixed results.

He’s allowed five earned runs in 8 2/3 playoff innings, posting an 0-2 record, and exited Game 1 of the 2012 NLDS with back spasms after recording one out. (Source: ESPN.com)

While he’s likely the Royals’ best starting pitcher, he’s got a few weeks to get right and prove as much to manager Ned Yost.

Edinson Volquez

Edinson Volquez has been terrific for the Royals this season. He’s pitched 175 1/3 innings, taken the ball every fifth day since day one and he’s 13-7 in 29 games started. Two words: Lunch. Pail.

He pitched in the playoffs in 2010 and 2014 for the Cincinnati Reds, and the results weren’t pretty.

Last season, he pitched the NL Wild Card games against the San Francisco Giants. He was undone by a fourth-inning grand slam that sealed the Pirates fate. (Source: ESPN.com)

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Volquez lasted 1.2 innings in Game 1 of the 2010 NLDS versus the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed four earned runs, struck out zero and walked two in a 4-0 loss.

That was a young Volquez, though, and one that had thrown only about 400 major-league innings. He’s won 59 games since that day.

Kris Medlen

Kris Medlen started playoff games in 2012 and 2013 for the Atlanta Braves. Both outings were losses, but Medlen posted an 8/1 K/BB ratio and a 6 1/3 inning, 2-earned-run start in the 2012 postseason.

Don’t count Medlen out of the playoff rotation. He throws strikes, he’s a confident pitcher and he’s pitched there before.

He’d be a back-end option for the Royals rotation, but one that Yost should feel comfortable with in a pressure situation.

Chris Young

Nine short years ago, Royals pitcher Chris Young posted an absolute gem in Game 3 of the NLDS to keep the 2006 San Diego Padres’ season alive.

On the road in St. Louis’ Busch Stadium and down two games to none, Young threw 6 2/3 innings, struck out nine and allowed four hits in his only playoff appearance of his career. (Source: Baseball-Reference)

Young isn’t vying for a spot in the postseason rotation, but he’s been there before. He pitched lights-out in the biggest start of his major-league career, and the Royals hope he can be that same guy out of the pen this postseason.

Other Notables

  • Pitcher Ryan Madson owns a 2.31 ERA in 35 postseason innings. From 2008-2011, he pitched in 33 playoff games, picking up two saves and seven holds.
  • Pitcher Joba Chamberlain has pitched in 21 postseason games. He allowed nine earned runs in 16 innings from 2007-2014.
  • Reliever Franklin Morales owns a 7.71 ERA in 14 postseason innings. He struggled in the 2007 playoffs, allowing 11 earned runs in 10 innings pitched.

How do you feel about the Royals pitching staff as we approach the postseason?

Next: NEXT: Royals 2016 Schedule Announced

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