ALCS: Kansas City Royals to start James Shields in Game 1, Yordano Ventura in Game 2

James Shields to start Game 1 of ALCS

The Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles will both be well-rested when they face off in the American League Championship Series on Saturday, by virtue of both teams sweeping their respective divisional series, allowing the two clubs to rest up their pitchers and set up their starting rotations.

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Kansas City manager Ned Yost said the Royals would, unsurprisingly, start their ace, James Shields, in Game One of the ALCS in Baltimore. But while Yost’s Game Two starter isn’t set in stone, we know who is likely to get the ball on Saturday:

While Shields on full rest in Game One is a no-brainer, Yost is likely actively checking statistics and bouncing ideas off his coaching staff while waiting to announce Ventura as the Game Two starter. Or it could be Yost just flying by the seat of his pants.

Either way, Ventura is likely the right choice for the Royals, who was excellent in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Angels in Game Two of the ALDS, a game the Royals eventually won in extra innings. The 23-year-old right-hander struck out 159 hitters in 183 innings this regular season, and was good for a 3.20 ERA.

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