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Kansas City Royals: Rotation Announced For ALDS

By Leigh Oleszczak

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The 2015 MLB playoffs are underway and the Kansas City Royals will square off against the Houston Astros on Thursday night.

One of the biggest questions heading into each and every playoff game is “Who is taking the mound for each game?”

Well, fortunately, those answers have been revealed. At least for games one, two, and three that is, as Ned Yost announced the playoff rotation for the ALDS on Tuesday afternoon before Royals workouts began.

The rotation is as follows:

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I have to say that I’m a little surprised to see Ventura as the slated Game 1 starter. He was supposed to be the ace of the rotation heading into this season, but failed to pitch like one for the majority of the season. Once the Royals went out and got Cueto, Ventura started looking more and more like the type of pitcher fans expected him to be this season.

I just figured with what the Kansas City Royals gave up to get Johnny Cueto that he’d absolutely be the game one starter. Clearly, Ventura’s improvements throughout the past few months were enough to prove to Yost and company that he’s the best pitcher in the rotation.

Having Cueto as a game 2 pitcher isn’t a bad thing at all. Hopefully he can pitch like the Johnny Cueto the Royals thought they were acquiring back in July, and not the one who had five consecutive shaky starts this past summer.

Edinson Volquez as the third starter isn’t surprising. He at one time was the most reliable guy in the rotation, but hasn’t looked like his dominant self near the end of the regular season.

The rest of the rotation will only be announced if a game 4 is even necessary. My guess would be that Kris Medlen would get the nod to start game 4 for the Royals, but a strong case could be made for Chris Young as well.

The Kansas City Royals earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs and that’s huge for this team. Kauffman Stadium has proved to be a difficult place for opposing teams to play, as the fans are just absolutely electric and spark the Royals to play the best baseball they can.

Hopefully these three guys go out there and pitch their best possible games so that the Royals can advance to their second consecutive ALCS.

What do you think of the Kansas City Royals’ postseason rotation?

Next: Five Reasons the Royals Won't Return to the World Series

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