KC Royals: How Will Johnny Cueto Handle Game Two

The Kansas City Royals take an 0-1 series deficit into a critical Game 2 today at Kauffman Stadium.

The KC Royals went out and got pitcher Johnny Cueto for this game.

It wasn’t for his sterling nine-inning, four-hit shutout of the Detroit Tigers in his fourth start as a Royal. It wasn’t for his miserable six start stretch in September when he went 1-5 with a 6.11 ERA.

When the Royals traded for him in late July, Cueto was penciled in for this game. The season-on-the-line start; the win-or-go-home pressure start. And he has one today.

Cueto is 40-21 with a 2.52 ERA in 61 career starts during the day, versus 56-49 with a 3.78 ERA in night games.

How will Cueto handle the same Houston Astros team that struck out 14 times, clubbed two home runs and posted 11 hits last night against Yordano Ventura and the Royals?

If you ask Cueto, he likes his chances, according to The Kansas City Star‘s Rustin Dodd:

"“That season is over,” [Cueto] said, speaking through translator Pedro Grifol, the Royals catching coach. “This is a new season. And you’ll get to see what Johnny Cueto is all about.”"

The Astros struck out more than any team in the American League this year, and second most times in the MLB. They also hit more home runs than every team except the Toronto Blue Jays.

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In nine starts against the league’s top ten strikeout teams, Cueto is a combined 7-2 with a 3.23 ERA. He pitched 64 1/3 innings and struck out 69 in those starts. (Stats via ESPN.com)

It’s a small sample, but it’s worth noting. Cueto has a repertoire that can give aggressive teams a tough time. And before anyone writes him off as a lost cause or as broken down, there’s reason to be optimistic about Cueto today.

Before his meltdown last month, Cueto owned a 2.94 ERA in 25 starts and an opponent’s batting average of .217 on the season. That was in 171 2/3 innings…this year. He’s not far removed from being a dominant frontline starter.

In his most recent 25 innings, which accounts for his last four starts, he’s posted a 3.24 ERA and allowed just one home run.

He’s also been untouchable in day games during his career, and it’s an interesting trend to take a look at.

Cueto is 40-21 with a 2.52 ERA in 61 career starts during the day, versus 56-49 with a 3.78 ERA in night games. During day games, opponents hit .225 against Cueto and he owns an 8.2 K/9 (versus a 6.9 K/9 at night). (via Baseball-Reference.com)

Still, it’s on the Royals’ bats to figure out Astros pitcher Scott Kazmir, who is 1-1 with a 2.11 ERA in 21 1/3 innings against the Royals this season. Without any run support, it won’t matter how well Cueto pitches.

If all the pressure is on Cueto to throw eight innings of one-run ball, then the Royals are in trouble. If they can scratch a few across for Cueto, they’ll head to Houston tied 1-1.

Next: KC Royals: Five Reasons They Return To The World Series

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