KC Royals: It All Comes Down To Johnny Cueto

By Leigh Oleszczak | Oct 14, 2015

The KC Royals forced a decisive Game 5 in the ALDS against the Houston Astros. Now it’s time for them to go out and win so that they can advance to the ALCS.

Here we are folks. Game 5 of the ALDS.

This moment right here is why the Kansas City Royals went out and got Johnny Cueto for their team. Cueto was supposed to be the ace of this staff, and while he hasn’t looked quite like an ace during his short stay in Kansas City, this is why the Royals got him.

The Royals traded Wildcard hero Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb, and Cody Reed for Cueto, who is only a rental. There’s no doubt that Cueto will seek a huge contract from another team – one that the Royals can’t afford.

Cueto didn’t look like an ace in Game 2 at Kauffman Stadium, but he settled down as the game went on. His best start as a Royal came in August against the Detroit Tigers, when he pitched a complete game shut out. Royals fans thought that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship in Kansas City, but alas, Cueto hasn’t looked like that pitcher since that day.

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He sported a 4.76 ERA in 13 starts with the Royals and went 4-7 in those games. He hasn’t looked great, but Cueto is all too familiar with the pressure that Game 5 holds. He knows that he has to pitch well in order to get a big contract, and while he’s admitted free agency is on his mind, Cueto can hopefully go out and pitch the best outing of his career.

The Kansas City Royals had quite the comeback on Monday in Houston. They were down four runs going into the eighth inning (sound familiar?) and somehow cranked out five runs in that inning to go up 7-6. Eric Hosmer then blasted a two-run shot to make it a three run game and to force the decisive Game 5 at Kauffman Stadium.

Despite Kansas City’s rocky relationship with Johnny Cueto during his short stay here, these are the games Cueto lives for. He has proven to be one of the best pitchers in all of baseball throughout his eight seasons in the league, and if he can go out and pitch like a true ace, then this KC Royals team will be pretty hard to stop in the ALCS.

If Cueto struggles early, Ned Yost shouldn’t hesitate to put Chris Young into the game.

If, however, Cueto stinks it up in this game, it’s safe to say the trade that sent beloved Finnegan to Cincinnati will be in the back of Kansas City Royals fans’ minds for a long time.

Bottom line is that if Cueto pitches well, cool. No complaints and the Royals live to fight another day. On the flip side, if Cueto struggles early, Ned Yost shouldn’t hesitate to put Chris Young into the game. This is a do or die situation for both teams and it’s all hands on deck, as both teams are vying to advance to the ALCS.

So yeah, Johnny Cueto, if you could pitch a shut out complete game, that’d be great… Or just make it to the ninth inning and Wade Davis can take it from there. Either works. Thanks.

Next: Johnny Cueto or Chris Young in Game 5

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