MLB: Ranking top SP combos for AL contenders

Sep 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) warms up before the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) warms up before the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields (33) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Kansas City Royals – RHP James Shields and RHP Yordano Ventura

The Kansas City Royals traded away the best prospect in its system, Wil Myers, to acquire James Shields and Wade Davis before the 2013 season, with an eye on being relevant and making the playoffs for the first time since winning the World Series in 1985. Mission accomplished on the goal of being relevant, and even better news for Royals fans is that if Kansas City does make the playoffs, it has a solid 1-2 combo, and Shields is a massive reason why that is.

Shields has a 3.13 ERA in 207.1 innings pitched, and is helping live up to his somewhat premature moniker of “Big Game James.” Shields has 164 strikeouts, and is stingy with allowing home runs (0.91 HR/9 ratio). Shields has started six postseason games all when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays, though the results have been mixed in such as small sample.

Royals manager Ned Yost might not decide to tab rookie Yordano Ventura with a potential game two start (particularly if he decides to start left-hander Jason Vargas), but Ventura has been electric in his 28 starts this year. The 23-year old has struck out 140 batters in 165 innings, and boasts a 3.27 ERA. Jason Vargas has pitched well this season, but a power arm like Ventura might fare better under the October lights.